The Weber 741001 Original Kettle 22-Inch Charcoal Grill is one of the most recognizable and trusted charcoal grills ever made. First introduced in the 1950s, the classic kettle design has become a backyard staple for generations of grillers. This updated 22-inch version keeps the traditional look and performance people love while adding a few thoughtful improvements that make grilling even easier.
With a 22-inch diameter cooking surface and 363 square inches of grilling space, this larger version of the original kettle provides plenty of room to cook burgers, steaks, chicken, or vegetables for family gatherings and weekend cookouts. The grill features a durable steel cooking grate that distributes heat evenly, helping you achieve consistent grilling results every time.
One of the reasons the Weber kettle grill has remained so popular is its simple yet highly effective design. The rust-resistant aluminum vents allow you to control airflow and temperature with precision, making it easy to cook food either quickly over direct heat or more slowly for classic charcoal flavor.
Weber has also added several improvements to enhance durability and convenience. The grill includes a one-touch cleaning system with a removable ash catcher, which makes cleanup quick and simple after cooking. Instead of dealing with loose ash, the system collects it neatly in a container that can easily be removed and emptied.
Despite these modern upgrades, the Weber Original Kettle remains true to its classic design, delivering the same authentic charcoal flavor and dependable performance that backyard cooks have trusted for decades. Its durability, ease of use, and timeless style continue to make it one of the most popular charcoal grills available today.
The One-Touch Cleaning System
One of the most convenient features of the Weber Original Kettle 22-Inch Charcoal Grill is the One-Touch cleaning system, designed to make post-grilling cleanup quick and hassle-free. Inside the bowl are three metal cleaning blades that rotate when you turn the exterior handle. These blades sweep ash and debris toward the vents, allowing it to fall neatly into the fully enclosed ash catcher below.
This system helps prevent loose ash from blowing around your patio or backyard, which can often happen with traditional charcoal grills. The ash vent also serves a second purpose. When opened, it acts as a damper to increase airflow, feeding oxygen to the charcoal and helping you achieve higher cooking temperatures—perfect for searing burgers, steaks, or other meats.
The Bowl, Lid, and Damper
Weber has perfected the art of closed-lid charcoal grilling, and the Original Kettle design is a perfect example of this. The bowl and lid are made from porcelain-enameled steel, which helps resist rust, prevent burn-through, and retain heat during cooking.
This design allows smoke and heat to circulate evenly inside the grill, surrounding the food and delivering that signature charcoal flavor Weber grills are known for. The adjustable damper system gives you precise control over temperature. With the damper partially closed, you can maintain low and slow cooking temperatures for extended grilling sessions. When opened wider, it increases airflow and heat, allowing you to quickly reach high temperatures for searing steaks and other meats.
Together, the bowl, lid, and damper system work in harmony to provide excellent temperature control, efficient heat circulation, and consistently delicious grilling results.
Features and Specifications
- Stainless-steel cooking grates with hinges to easily add charcoal
- Removable ash catcher
- Porcelain-coated steel
- Glass-reinforced nylon handles
- 22 inches by 38.5 inches tall by 25 inches wide, and a total 363 square inch cooking area
- 10-year limited warranty
- Under $100!
- One-touch cleaning system
- Hinged grates make it easy to add charcoal
- Easy to assemble and maneuver
- Two people required for assembly
Customer Reviews and Ratings
The Weber Original Kettle 22-Inch Charcoal Grill continues to earn outstanding feedback from customers thanks to its simple design, reliable performance, and long-lasting durability. With 363 square inches of cooking space, this grill can easily handle everything from a couple of burgers to a full meal for a family gathering.
When reviewing customer feedback, we found over 10,608 reviews on Amazon, with an impressive average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars. An incredible 96% of customers rated the grill either 4 or 5 stars, which speaks volumes about its popularity and consistent performance.
Most owners praise the grill for its ease of use, classic charcoal flavor, and excellent value for the price. Many also mentioned that the kettle design is durable enough to last for years with proper care.
A small number of negative comments were related mainly to shipping delays, packaging issues, or occasional factory defects. In those cases, both Amazon and Weber customer service were typically recommended as the best way to resolve the issue.
Many verified buyers shared glowing feedback about their experience with the Weber kettle grill. Some of the comments included:
“The best value and performance grill your money can buy.”
“I love Weber grills.”
“My grill of a lifetime—I’ll die owning my Weber kettle.”
“It’s quite big by the way, I could easily feed a family of 8 with this.”
Overall, the Weber Original Kettle continues to be one of the most highly rated charcoal grills available, proving that its timeless design still delivers exceptional grilling results decades after its introduction.
Final Thoughts
The Weber Original Kettle 22-Inch Charcoal Grill proves that sometimes the simplest designs are the best. It may not be the flashiest grill on the market, but it consistently delivers great-tasting charcoal barbecue at an affordable price.
Its durable construction, dependable airflow control, and generous cooking space make it a reliable choice for backyard grilling season after season. For those who want authentic charcoal flavor without spending a fortune, the Weber kettle remains one of the best values available.
If your goal is delicious barbecue for under $100, it’s hard to go wrong with the classic Weber kettle grill—a true backyard icon that continues to stand the test of time.