The Anatomy of a Weber Kettle

The basic design of a Weber kettle may be relatively simple, but a considerable amount of thought went into the design to create a grill that’s easy to use, reliable, and provides great results every time you use it.

Let’s breakdown the basic design of a kettle to learn a little more about them.

Every full size kettle has 5 basic components that make up the “DNA” of the grill. We call this the “Original Grilling System”.

#1 – Bowl and Lid 

The basic design of the bowl and lid kettle has stayed pretty much the since 1952. The shape of the lid and bowl are designed to promote even heat circulation inside of the grill. The bowl and lid are both made of steel which is coated with a porcelain enamel. The enamel is baked on at around 1,500 F, so it can withstand the heat of grilling and also hold up against rust and burn through issues. The smooth, porcelain enamel also makes the bowl and lid easy to clean.

#2 - Damper

Every Weber grill has been designed to be used with the lid closed. A damper built into the lid lets you control the heat inside of the grill without opening the lid. The more you open the damper, the hotter the grill will get. Closing the damper will produce the opposite effect, and the grill will get cooler.

#3 – Cooking Grate

The cooking grate is where all the magic happens, and most models include a heavy-duty, plated steel version. Certain models include a stainless steel grate or a hinged grate that allows for an easy way to add more charcoal while you’re grilling.

 #4 – Charcoal Grate

Our charcoal grates have been designed to withstand the heat generated by a pile of burning charcoal, and are made of heavy duty plated steel. They are large enough to allow you to arrange your charcoal in many different ways, making it simple to grill using direct or indirect heat.

 #5 – One-Touch Cleaning System

The One-Touch cleaning system is designed to clean out the ashes left over from charcoal, as well as serve as part of the ventilation system. Closing the vents will cut the oxygen to the coals, causing them to burn cooler and eventually go out. Opening them does the opposite by providing more oxygen to the coals, increasing the heat.

It’s the simplicity of the kettle’s design that allows them to stand the test of time and provide consistently delicious results that make unforgettable backyard memories! Now get out there and grill on!

Check out our line of Kettles here!