Weber 441001 18 1/2" One Touch Silver Kettle Grill, Black

Assembly is a snap. The only tool you'll need is a hammer to tap the wheel lugs on. In 15 minutes you can be lighting your coal.

The beauty of this grill is the kettle design which maximizes heat retention and allows the grill to act like an oven with the top on. I've cooked whole chickens, cabbage, bread, and pizza using this method. The top also has a hook on it so you can hang it from the side of the grill while you add sauce or tend to what you're cooking.

My only complaint about this is its size. Its great for direct cooking steaks, chops, etc. But to do some more long term smoking of ribs, whole chickens, its a little small because the coals get too close to the sides of the food and some parts might get scorched. If you do a lot of slow, indirect cooked foods, go for the 22 1/2 inch weber kettle grill.


Excellent 1st grill   April 25, 2005
Big Bear (San Jose, CA USA)
39 out of 39 found this review helpful

Unlike most reviewers here who had grill(s) for many years, this Weber 18.5" One Touch Silver is my first grill. Also, unlike most here, I'm a total newbie when it comes to grilling.

The first impression I have with this Weber grill is how forgiving it is even for a newbie. I think its the rounded design and perhaps choice of materials that makes it so.

I made the mistake of not realising I need to open the bottom vent but the grill still managed to allow me to finish some pretty good steak and pork chops for 2. I only realised it when I've done cooking and the coal died down. :-)

There are also some other newbie mistakes which I made and hope someone else reading this before buying his/her first grill will avoid:

1. Kingsford match lit charcoal. As a high-tech professional, I like innovations and the match lit charcoal sounded liked a great idea until I read its really only charcoal soaked with lighter fluid. It is convenient however but probably not the 1st choice if you're seroius of grilling.

2. Ash tray. It catches ash alright but any slight wind will blow the ashes all over the place. Try putting some water in the tray or use a deeper one with water. That'll both extingish the ash and keep them in place.

3. Left over coal. Being a total newbie, I threw some away, not realizing I can leave them in the grill for next time.


In summary:
- Great 1st grill, simple and forgiving
- Better documentation needed, newbies will probably miss the bottom vent like I did
- Ash tray not useful during grilling unless water added or no wind
- Excellent form factor for Town House use, should be useful for decks of apartments too


I Love My Weber One-Touch Grill!   September 4, 2000
35 out of 35 found this review helpful

I started with the Weber Smokey Joe compact charcoal grill and liked it so much I bought the larger Weber One-Touch (with the 18.5" wide grilling space). It's easy to assemble, has a thoughtful and simple ash-removal lever, is durable and provides great tasting food every time! Our grill easily accomodates ample food for 4 people... if you regularly cook for more than 4 (or have really large appetites) then choose from the wide variety of larger sizes. When you buy a Weber grill you'll get a handy booklet with great recipes. Plus, if you visit Weber's excellent Web site (www.weber.com) you'll find additional recipes that are out of this world (the Grilled Pork Tenderloin wrapped in pancetta is mouth-watering delicious!). If you aren't resticted by condo regulations to gas-grills, then definitely go for the charcoal grill in order to get the superior flavors available only when you cook on charcoal. I liked Weber's simple directions on how to use the grill so that you'll maximize flavors, minimize charcoal use and make the most of this incredible grill. Weber grills RULE!


Love It!   June 7, 2000
Stacey Ulry (Austin, Texas)
28 out of 31 found this review helpful

My husband and I love our Weber. We have had numerous expensive grills and this one cooks better than all of them.


What can you say - Its a Classic   October 12, 2005
J. Jefferson (Indianapolis)
10 out of 10 found this review helpful

The Weber grill has always been the Cadilac of BBQ grilling. It is a quality good - it won't rust and will last a decade even when left outdoors. Its other claim to fame is the ability it offers to "shut off the charcoal" as it is air tight. The "one touch" system just makes it even easier. Instead of having to close three bottom vents seperately (and fumbling with hot surfaces that cannot be easily seen), you just flip one lever. You make up your mind yourself about the silver vs. gold models as both are good. What size do you need? What do you want to cook? A turkey? - better get the 22 1/2 inch size. If you have a chicken or a roast in mind, the 18 1/2 inch will do and it will save you some fuel to boot.