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Weber Master Touch Vs Performer Vs Original Kettle Vs Summit Series
Weber is an industry leader in grill design and manufacturing. The company has released a number of different lines with different features, materials, heating systems, and technological advancements.
Four of the most popular lines are the Summit, Original Kettle, Performer, and Master Touch. The Summit line is powered by gas, while the other three are fueled by charcoal.
We’ve taken a look at the differences in each line to help you understand which might be the best choice for you.
Weber Master Touch Vs Performer Vs Original Kettle Vs Summit Series
| Product | Cooking Space | Weight | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|
#1. Master Touch (22-inch) Check Price | 363 square inches | 37.2 pounds | Charcoal |
#2. Performer (22-inch) Check Price | 363 square inches | 70 pounds | Charcoal |
#3. Original Kettle (18-inch) Check Price | 240 square inches | 24.6 pounds | Charcoal |
#4. Summit (E-470) Check Price | 468 square inches | 245 pounds | Gas/Liquid propane |
#1. Master Touch
The Master Touch grill comes with a 22-inch design. Each model in the line has the same basic design and size, but the grill is available in multiple colors.
In addition to standard black, you can also purchase it in slate blue, smoke, ivory, or spring green.
The grill includes 363 square inches of primary cooking space. There’s also a warming rack that provides 80 additional square inches, bringing the total amount of cooking area to 443 inches.
The charcoal grill has two glass-reinforced nylon handles, two tool hooks, a rust-resistant aluminum damper, two all-weather wheels, and two charcoal fuel holder baskets.
The Master Touch has a number of included features:
- Steel-hinged cooking grate
- Heavy-gauge steel grate for charcoal
- Porcelain enameling on the lid and bowl for easier cleanup and heat retention
- Built-in thermometer on the lid
- Lid handle with a heat shield
- Bottom wire rack
- Easily tucked-away lid holder
- Removable aluminum ash catching system
- Aluminized steel cleaning system that cleans with one touch
- Push pin and spring clip leg design for easier assembling
#2. Performer
Each of the grills in the Performer series has a 22-inch diameter and the same 363 square inches of cooking space. However, there are multiple model “tiers.”
The base model is the Performer Charcoal Grill. The next step up is the Performer Premium Charcoal Grill. After that is the Deluxe Charcoal Grill, which you can buy in green, copper, or black coloring
The base model has:
- One glass-reinforced nylon handle
- Two all-weather wheels
- Two locking casters
- Three tool hooks
- One rust-resistant damper made of aluminum
- Steel hinged and plated cooking grate with a heavy-gauge steel grate for the charcoal
- Porcelain enameling on the lid and bowl
- Built-in thermometer on the lid
- Painted fold-down table made of sturdy metal to hold cooked food, utensils, or anything else you need
- Frame made of heavy-duty steel
- A bottom wire rack
- Heat-shielded lid handle
- Easily tucked-away lid holder
- Removable aluminum ash catching system
- One-touch cleaning system made from aluminized steel
The Premium model has the same base features but adds:
- Need for 2 AAA batteries
- Removable LCD cooking timer with backlighting powered by batteries
- A weather-protected storage container
The Deluxe model adds to the Premium features:
- Need for 3 AA and AAA batteries
- Use of disposable LP cylinders that must be purchased separately
#3. Original Kettle
The Original Kettle line has a few different sizing and features specifications. The first model in the lineup, the Original Kettle Charcoal Grill, is available in 18-inch and 22-inch sizes.
A 22-inch Premium Charcoal Grill in the line is available in green, copper, or black. There’s also a black 26-inch Premium Charcoal Grill.
Differences in sizes and colors are fairly self-explanatory. The two main tiers are the Original Kettle grill versus the Premium Kettle grill.
The original model, which can be viewed as the base model for the line, comes with the following features and specifications:
- Two nylon handles with glass reinforcement
- Two all-weather wheels
- One rust-treated aluminum damper
- Cooking grate of plated steel
- Charcoal grate of heavy-gauge steel
- Porcelain enameling on the lid and bowl
- Heat-shielded lid handle
- A bottom wire rack
- An angled hook inside the grill lid to make lifting easier
- Removable ash catcher made of aluminum
- One-touch cleaning system that utilizes aluminized steel
- Spring clip and push pin leg design to allow easier assembly
The Premium model has the same features as the base model while adding:
- Two tool hooks
- Plated steel grate with hinge
- Higher-capacity removable ash catcher to make cleanup even easier
#4. Summit
The Summit series is the only one on this list that uses gas instead of charcoal. There are many models available, some of which use natural gas and some of which use propane. Different models also offer different cooking space.
The E-470 model has the following features:
- 48,800 BTUs per hour from the main burner
- 10,600 BTUs per hour on the sear station burner
- 6,800 BTUs per hour on the smoker box burner
- 12,000 BTUs per hour on the side burner
- 10,600 BTUs per hour on the infrared rotisserie burner mounted on the rear
- 468 square inches of primary cooking space
- Warming rack of 112 square inches
- 4 stainless steel burners
- 2 side tables
- 4 lighted control knobs
- 1 handle light
- 2 swivel casters and 2 locking casters
- 6 tool hooks
- Need for 6 AAA and D batteries
- Stainless steel rod 9 millimeter cooking grates
- Individual burner ignition system
- Flavorizer bars of stainless steel
- Porcelain enameling on the lid
- Lid thermometer
- Stainless steel side tables
- Included cabinet
- Doors of painted steel
- For LP models, an LED fuel gauge
- Front-accessed grease tray with a built-in catch pan
- Fork and spit storage for the rotisserie system
Final Thoughts
In terms of features and materials used for construction, the Summit series is head and shoulders above the others. However, it’s also much more expensive.
It’s also not the best choice if you want a charcoal grill rather than gas.
The Kettle series is the most inexpensive and basic. The Master Touch has the most available colors and a warming rack for additional cooking space.
Of the charcoal grills, the Performer series has the most features and customization options, with the ability to choose from three model levels.