The Weber Kettle Grill has been a backyard staple for generations, largely unchanged with the exception of add-on accessories. But recently, Weber has begun to incorporate many of its popular accessories into new designs. For 2009, Weber introduces the new 26.75" Inch One-Touch Gold Charcoal Grill, the largest Weber Kettle Grill to date. I don’t know who came up with the awkward size/name, but this model does have 508 square inches of cooking area - about 80 percent more than the 22-inch model and surely enough for any party you want to host. Like the other One-Touch grills, the 26.75-inch has the great One-Touch Cleaning system. Other new features were largely borrowed from the higher end Performer and Ranch Kettle grills and include:
* A tuck-away lid holder (so you can keep the lid next to the grill when it’s hot)
* A built-in thermometer
* A heat-resistant handle
* Char-Basket charcoal fuel holders (for indirect grilling)
At almost $300, this grill is a bit pricey, but if you have the room for it, I say the more surface area the better. Grill space always fills up fast when you want to entertain and cook more than just the main course. The exclusive features on this grill are also great: a thermometer is really a must when you are barbecuing, and most people enjoy the convenience of the lid holder (there aren’t a lot of great places to put a burning hot piece of metal on the average deck). The hinged cooking grates and charcoal holders are also great for indirect cooking. So while at heart it’s still the basic Kettle Grill, all of these little design changes make this new model easier and more enjoyable to use.
