Weber Grill Buying Guide: Finding The Perfect Backyard Grill

Sub-freezing temperatures are (hopefully) in the rearview mirror for the time being as we move into what is undoubtedly America's favorite time of the year: grilling season. While waterpark belly flops and camping trips to your local state park require some serious forethought and travel, you can find grilling season in your backyard at a moment's notice. All you need is a proper grill that fits your barbecue style.

That's easier said than done. Ever since man first cooked food over fire, we've been revolutionizing and re-making the process of barbecue. The American concept of grilling has been built upon the bedrock of cheeseburgers and hot dogs—all smoked on Weber grills. But which one is right for you? Our Weber grill guide breaks it down.

Created over 60 years ago in Chicago, IL, the first Weber kettle grill was made for covered cooking and smoky flavor. With a lid covering the smoking briquettes, fiery foods no longer lost moisture and flavor as they cooked. That made for charred bites cooked the best way, and meant to be enjoyed out in the summer sun.

While Weber grills are still cooking strong today, it's not 1960 anymore. The market is saturated with grilling contraptions, from electric cookers to wood pellet smokers. If your finger isn't on the pulse of everything barbecue, it's tough to know which grill would fit your outdoor cooking style best. Whether you're a beginner in the world of barbecue or have been smoking meats for decades, this original American brand has the next backyard cooker you're looking for. Below, we break down the brand's popular cooking methods—see which one works best for your space and needs with our Weber grill guide.

Weber grills are incredible pieces of art that any grillmaster can use to make amazing meals—but even grillmasters can use help sometimes. That's why the brand has crafted Weber Works, an all-new accessory system that adds additional functionality for select Weber grills and griddles. These are snap-on or drop-in accessories that make cooking easier and keep everything you need within reach. With these drop-in accessories, simply remove the side table center and drop in your Weber Works tools to keep food organized or at the ready. Basins covered by cutting boards, prep and serve kits and caddies slide into side table slots easily, while clip-on condiment holders, bottle holders, tool hooks and flexible lights add a little extra usability and luxury to Weber grills. With Weber Works, there's no need to run back and forth to the kitchen to prep your foods: instead, you can keep all of your ingredients outdoors, well-organized and within reach—including your favorite summer brew.

Weber Works accessories fit certain Weber grills, griddles and smokers, so make sure that what you're looking for fits your barbecue before you pick out these easy-to-use assistants.

Whether you've picked out a rust-resistant Weber Slate, a full-size five-burner Summit Smart grill or are opting for a more portable charcoal Smokey Joe, it's important to take care of your barbecue. Weber grills are designed to last for years as long as they're well-maintained. Take steps to keep your barbecue in fighting form by cleaning it after each grill session with a stiff grill brush. Once the grate cools down (but is still warm) scrub off any food particles that cling to the barbecue.

Experts suggest you do a stronger deep cleaning for a gas grill every 3-6 months. Disconnect your gas tank before scraping off as much debris as you can reach, then use a large, abrasive sponge to scrub both sides of the grates. Spray with grate cleaner and continue to scrub until grates are clean. Do the same with the cookbox, removing any remaining food or grease with a plastic scraper. Avoid getting the burner tubes wet throughout this process. Once dry, put your grill back together. But this is the Weber grill guide; for a deeper dive into the cleaning process, explore our guide to cleaning a gas grill. You can find the perfect maintenance and cleansing accessories here at Abt, like the Weber exterior grill cleaner and the grate grill cleaner, or the griddle cleaning kit if you own a griddle.

Finally, ensure Weber grills stay protected from the elements with a grill cover designed specifically for your make and model. These weather-resistant fabrics help to keep rain and snow off your barbecue. Heavy-duty UV-inhibiting materials help to keep your machine's finish from fading in the sunlight, wind, snow or rain. And with head-to-toe coverage and fastening straps, your grill will be covered all over. That helps to deter critters from coming over in search of any leftover cheeseburger or rib scraps. Whether you pick from the wide variety of Weber grills, smokers or griddles, protect it for years to come with a heavy-duty cover.

Are Weber grills the best?

Weber's reputation is built upon a legacy of dependability and innovation. With a claim to the title of the first covered charcoal grill ever made, it's easy to make the argument that Weber grills are some of the best ones on the market. You'll be hard-pressed to find a more affordable brand that covers as many kinds of cooking, from built-in grills to pellet smokers to old-fashioned portable charcoal.

What's the best Weber gas grill?

Weber's top-of-the-line gas grill model is the Summitt. These high-powered cookers come in both standalone versions on carts or built into outdoor kitchen cabinets. Extra features include rotisseries, bright lights, as many as six burners and boosted sear zones in both natural gas and liquid propane models.

What's the best Weber charcoal grill?

The classic kettle has stayed popular for decades with few changes in design. That's because it's easy to use, can stand up to years of flame and weather and it just isn't complicated. Users can make charcoal grilling as simple (or as technical) as they want by moving lit coals around, creating heat zones, adjusting oxygen flow via the damper and more. Or you can just heat hot dogs for a picnic. Its simple versatility makes it the best Weber charcoal grill.

Where can you find parts for a Weber grill?

From grill grates and flavorizer bars to drip pans, find your Weber parts and accessories online or in-store at Abt.