Weber 22-1/2-Inch Performer Charcoal Grill Blue

This is the best grill period. If you like electric grills do not buy this grill. Otherwise this is the best grill you will ever own.

I ordered the performer from Amazon and it arrived in about 5 days. No kidding after work I think If I could have picked up the box (it weighs about 100 lbs.) I could have just shaken the thing and it would have put itself together. Don't pay a kid with a screwdriver 50 bucks to put this thing together... it's just too easy to do it yourself. After about 30 minutes with a couple of hand tools it was ready. As always, I fired her up to do some temperature testing. If your new to grilling/ smoking you will quickly learn that temperature is critical to true BBQ.

Anyway, I placed about twenty Kingsford briquettes in the really nice supplied trays and with one touch of the propane system we were underway. It took about five minutes for the charcoal to start to ash and I turned off the propane. With both the bottom and top vents open I placed the lid on the grill.

The temp rose quickly to 500 degrees and my digital thermometer was maxed at 450. The performer includes a thermometer in the lid of the grill and it and the polder disagreed to the tune of about 50 degrees. As is normal the temp stabilized after all the charcoal had an opportunity to completely ignite. I wasn't to concerned about the difference in temp as 50 degrees when grilling isn't a deal breaker... and when smoking I use a digital thermometer anyway.

I allowed the charcoal to burn completely and made some adjustments to the airvents on the bottom of the grill. My only concern was the perfomer wanted to run hotter than I like for a smoker.

I always recommend burning a load of about 40 briquettes in a new grill. This will help to season the grill and burn off any oils or grease that may be used during manufacture.

My first foray into actually cooking on this thing is as usual an old standby: Hamburgers... their easy, cheap and I don't cry if I burn them up on my first run.

I started the grill by loading the trays with charcoal. I also added a couple of mesquite chunks for flavor and color. I lit the grill and it was ready in about 30 minutes to cook. I was cooking burgers and grilling garlic. I cooked the burgers, wrapped the buns in foil and placed them on the side to warm and walla... I'm a hero for another day.

The performer is a great burger making machine... of course thats like saying a Porsche is a great car...

Thanks,
Darren

I looked at this grill for several weeks waiting to see if the price would change. I had already made up my mind this was going to be the one I ordered based on the reviews given here. The price did not change on Amazon or in the stores where they were either the same price or higher. I would have ordered sooner, but I was a bit concerned about the shipping charge as it appeared there would be one. When I placed the order it said .01. I figured they would determine the shipping charge and add it later, but they didn't, it's .o1. Also, order the 9986 Weber Performer Grill Cover...it fits. We have used the grill several times and its all that I thought it would be.

Don't regret for a minute spending 299.00 on this beauty. If you're gonna grill, might as well have fun doing it. And easy is fun, and this is easy, from putting it together (what? 18 screws I think) to using it. You won't regret it.

We ordered it late Tuesday. The shipping confirmation estimated deliverer next Monday. It came Friday -- in time to assemble it, go buy charcoal, and cook hamburgers before dark. And, the shipping cost was only $0.01.