Today I want to talk about one of my favorite pieces of cooking equipment. One that you’ve seen portions of in photos for months now. One that I use multiple times every week and that never lets me down. This is my Weber Performer Deluxe, the souped up charcoal grill that every Weber fan should have. By the way – I’m not sponsored or getting any kickbacks from these guys. I just really like their product.
Please ignore our dirty porch. It’s been raining for the last week, so there’s mud everywhere.
When I was about finished with my MBA my dad asked what I might want for graduation and, with a wedding and move into our first house on the horizon, I told him I wanted a grill like his Weber Performer. Luckily for us, he went the extra mile and got the deluxe edition.
What makes this grill so special? There’s a few things that really stand out as far as their overall utility goes for me.
- The attached table – plenty of room to set trays/platters, room to do prep work on nice evening when entertaining around the grill, a place for my cold beer, and it’s just handy to have a spot to set things without having to spin around looking for the patio table or an empty chair. Oh and it’s easy to clean.
- The gas starter – you probably noticed the Coleman propane cylinder. This feeds into the bottom of the kettle, just below the charcoal grate. The point is to eliminate the use of lighter fluid and thus the residual flavor, as well as to get your fire burning faster since the flames will grow from the bottom center, upward and outward.
- The “trash” can – tilts outward for access and is anchored to the backside of the table so it won’t spill. I keep my extra propane cylinders, wood chips, charcoal, and any utensils that won’t fit on the rack here out of the elements.
I’ve cooked everything from burgers all the way up to an 8.5 pound brisket on this kettle and I’m constantly looking for ways to push the limits and cook things that you wouldn’t expect from a grill this size. The attached table and other gadgets make this grill a definite wish list item, in my opinion, for the afternoon grill masters who aren’t looking for a full on BBQ pit setup.
If you’re in the market for a new grill and appreciate the classic kettle with a ton of extra utility, definitely check these out.
