Cooking ribs low and slow on the Nexgrill required just 4 hours, 30 minutes. Its rack came out well too, though like the Napoleon, its bark was more pronounced than what the Weber produced. The difference between the two was largely in the crispiness of the skin, with the Weber producing the superior results.
I also like to nestle a water pan at the center of the charcoal grate. It’ll serve as a heat reservoir and helps to smooth out temperature swings. The substances used, and the way they stand up to heavy usage and extreme heat will establish the caliber of a charcoal grill. Porcelain-coated weber genesis 2 and chrome-plated will perform the job for less, but these thinner substances won’t always stand up to intensive usage over time. There is a lot to be said for the convenience and ease that gas and electric grills provide, but the authentic experience of charcoal is simply unmatched.
Maybe an electric grill isn’t exactly what you’re looking for, but since Weber is behind the Pulse, it’s a worthwhile grill to consider. The Pulse reaches up to 600 degrees Fahrenheit, with the ability to control it through an app. The grill features a dual grilling zone, which can hold up to 12 burgers. Like the charcoal version of the Summit, the gas model is as feature-rich as it gets. It carries everything from the Genesis and adds burners, BTUs and some very handy automatic lights on the hood for nighttime grilling.
For example, a kettle-style charcoal grill left in the July sun all day will run a lot hotter than it will in the cooler spring months. In cooking performance, the Weber was the best and most hassle-free grill in our tests. But once you factor in price, performance, and design, the Weber is the heavy hitter in the arena of charcoal grills. A high-end ceramic kamado grill, while a superior cooker thanks to its insulation, will run you $800 minimum.
Meat from the Nexgrill was delicious, with just a bit more flavor than the Weber. Between them, I’d say it largely depends on your budget and what style of grill you prefer for other meats like burgers or steak. Clean the grates before or after each use by brushing them free of cooked-on gunk and wiping them with a wet rag.
When it came to assembly, the only direct comparison we could make was between the Weber and the Napoleon. Both models shared a similar overall design, but the Weber model was comprehensively superior. With simple instructions and a minimal need for tools or acrobatics, Weber has clearly refined its engineering to maximize simplicity.
When you invert the assembly to screw it to the grill, the inner collar can slip down unnoticed and prevent the screws from attaching to the grill body. That happened to us twice before we figured out what was going on. If it had been full of hot ash, we would have had a real problem.
They go the extra mile to ensure that every purchaser of a Weber charcoal grill finds a solution to any problem they encounter, and always feels satisfied with their grill. These systems are especially useful if you’d like to limit the headaches of low and slow barbecue babysitting. Even with fancy hardware, if you add too much lit fuel at once, your pit temperature will run away from you.