I was interested in going from propane to charcoal but I wanted the convienance of an ash catcher. Of course Weber grills get the most ink, but I was bothered by how much they increased the price for an ash catcher (and it really is a simple, low-cost, yet useful addition) and that I didn't know the quality of a Weber anymore since they changed where they are manufactured.
So I went for this grill and have been very pleased. There is some assembly and it took my wife (who is very handy) and I over an hour. Once it is set-up it works great. Easy to wheel, ash catcher works great, the handle in my experience on the top has never gotten hot, and it is the same material to resist weathering as the Webers. The size is ok for 2-4 people. After that you will need a bigger grill or cook in a few shifts.
Since I have never had a Weber I can't compare but I have now used it a half dozen times, with excellent results every time. Be sure to get a coal chimney starter, they are fantastic, especially in windy weather. I would recommend this one Weber 87886 Chimney Starter
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I bought the 26" version at a big box dept store for around $90 (oddly, I can't find this item anywhere on the internet so adding my review to this item). Wanted a Weber, but this is over $200 less for this size grill. Had to give it a try.
What I like:
-Size for the price
-4 legs instead of 3 on a weber makes it sturdier when moving around.
double vents on top.
What I don't like:
-The ash catcher isn't as good as a Weber and had to modify slightly.
With the weber gold you almost never have to actually clean out the kettle because they design it with what I call a "scraper" that easily pushes all the ashes out of the kettle and into the ash can. This grill does not do that. Additionally, the ash can sits below the center of the grill and there is a wide open hole beneath the lower grate that you stack your charcoal. This is problematic if you use hardwood charcoal (not briquettes) because the smaller pieces (and large pieces that burn down) end up falling into the ash can. There is an easy fix however. I bought a diamond shaped mesh grill grate to sit over top the hole. This prevents charcoal from falling through while still allowing good ventilation. The drawback is I have to remove it periodically and manually clean out the grill. But I'd have to do it anyway since this is the one design feature that I can tell the Weber is much superior.
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THIS IS ONE GREAT GRILL HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS LOVE THE ASH CAN EASY CLEANUP. JUST BOUGHT YESTERDAY HAVE ALREADY GRILLED OUT 2 AND ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT. I HAVE COOKED ON A WEBER BEFORE BOUGHT THIS CAUSE I DIDNT WANT TO PAY THE HIGH COST OF A WEBER, THE ASH CATCHER SLIDES OUT AND SLIDES BACK ON.
Honest reviews on Masterbuilt 10040106 Kingsford 18-1/2-Inch Kettle Grill
I just got it. I've used it twice. It works great. Much better value than the Weber and seems to have equal quality (perhaps even better).
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Within two minutes into assembling this flimsy piece of junk, I regretted that I didn't get a Weber. Thin-guage metal & enamel with bolt-on plastic handles that crack and fall off. I took it back to Home Depot and paid the extra money for a Weber. Don't buy!
