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I know I'll probably take the usual "not-helpful" pounding for disagreeing with the majority of reviewers here, and I hate it when that happens, because the only reason I take the time to write a review in the first place is to be helpful. But I'm just looking for the best way possible to do something I really enjoy, and so are you, and this, as it turns out, isn't it in my opinion. I did find a much better option though, and why knock something if you don't have a better option, right? Maybe some of you will find it helpful!
But first, the knocking >:-[
I own these and I've used these, and they're horribly awkward. I've seen them referred to as "essential" by exhuberant reviewers, but these rails are as optional as optional accessories get! It's hard to get them to to stay in place while you're loading charcoal behind them, they're wobbly after your charcoal is behind them, and once they're in place and cooking has begun, you won't be able to reposition your heat if it becomes necessary to do so. They're so wobbly that even a slight accidental bump to your grill will have these rails laying on their sides and your charcoal will be laying all over the place. That's not a theory, that's an experience! After my first few attempts at using them, I just went back to stacking coals on the sides of my grill by hand for indirect cooking and found that easier and more reliable than the rails, so I think 2 stars is generous.
Contrary to what other reviewers have said, there is no appreciable difference in internal temperature over time between these and the briquet holders using the same amounts of charcoal, as measured by the internal temperature thermometer on my Weber. Because oxygen is flowing more freely around the coals, they burn faster at first and release heat more rapidly, but they also cool and burn out much quicker. Moreover, you aren't getting higher temps with these, you're getting direct infra-red heat radiating from the sides of your hot coals in addition to the indirect hot air convection you're shooting for. Because the briquet holders have walled sides, direct infrared heat is minimized, providing a more exclusively indirect heat, and that's what we're shooting for here!
Now the better option ;-)
I found a better way to do what we're trying to do with these! May I humbly direct your attention to the Weber 7403 charcoal briquet holders? For some reason they aren't showing up when I try to place a product link to them here for you, but they are in stock, please search Amazon for them (copy and paste from here if you like). I own these rails and I own the briquet holders too, and these rails haven't been used once since I got the briquet holders!
The briquet holders are baskets that hold your coals precisely in place, right where you want them, whether on the sides, in the center, or anywhere else you want to place them. They can even be moved easily right in the middle of the cooking process if you want to reposition your heat source, ie to get the heat to the ends of something on a rotisserie spit or under something for crisping skin after indirect cooking is completed. Even if you do get the rails to stay in place, you won't have the option of adjusting the heat source position once you start cooking (aside from just removing them and spreading your coals out under the grill).
If your charcoal grill has a gas ignition system like mine, you can use the briquet holders for easy charcoal ignition, too. You can't even attempt that with these rails. The briquet holders actually work as well as a Weber 7416 Rapidfire Chimney Starter (I have one of those too, it's pretty cool)! Just place your briquets in the basket(s) and place them in the center of the grill over the igniter. A few minutes later, turn off the igniter, wait a few more minutes, and move them into place for immediate use. No moving briquets from one device to another, no pouring out red hot coals and risking burns, and a much higher level of ease and precision when placing your source(s) of heat exactly where you want them at any time while cooking. Again, these rails score a big fat ZERO there!
I love Weber products overall, in fact when I say "grill" I mean charcoal and I mean Weber, but these were a let down in my experience. I hope some of you will find my review and suggestion helpful as you consider your purchasing and grilling options! Happy grilling, and peace to all reading.
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I've used the aluminum charcoal trays for a long
while now and really love them, but for a higher
temp indirect heat, these rails are awesome. Have
used them a lot in the last few weeks and can just
not find anything bad to say about them.
I'm surprised, but they hold the charcoal where you
want it (sides or center) and does not interfere with
airflow nor ash drop. Great product and very nice fit
into the charcoal grill, well built and not at all flimsy.
Best Deals for Weber 7402 Charcoal Rails
The Weber 7402 Charcoal Rails work as advertized. They are easy to install and remove yet fit firm and do not come out unintended. Simply engineered by the same people that make the charcoal grate so it fits perfectly. There are no installation instructions or diagram so for those that are dense as I was for about 5 minutes you hook the outer most cross rail and wedge the end opposite the hooks between the grates. This is for an 18 ½ inch grill so the 22 ½ inch may not be the same. As far as the practicality of the use on an 18 ½ inch grill the best you can do is one medium sized rack of ribs or a very well trimmed brisket. Flank steak and skirt steak fit perfect. Whole fish one medium fits fine as well.
Honest reviews on Weber 7402 Charcoal Rails
These work great on our 22.5 inch Weber kettle. You can use them for indirect heat or put them together for high direct heat in the middle. What can I say, another good product from Weber.
Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Weber 7402 Charcoal Rails
Friends, if you use a "Weber Smokey Joe", this product greatly simplifies and enhances indirect cooking. Takes s lot of the mess out of slow cooking turkeys, roasts and whatnot. Might want to take pretty good care of em because they quickly rust. Seems like Weber quit making them for a year or two.
