Weber One-Touch Silver

Bottom Line

Unless you're committed to gas grilling, there's no reason not to consider the Weber One-Touch Silver. Users say it's an amazing value -- great at cooking and easy to assemble, use and clean. True, you won't get bells and whistles at this price, and some users say it's not best for steaks or smoked foods. Still, with many reporting outstanding long-term performance, the model is clearly doing a lot right.

Performance

Can grill or smoke a wide range of foods. Derrick Riches of About.com enthusiastically endorses the One-Touch Silver, saying the circular shape, large cooking space, and superior venting gives owners a high level of heat control, and enables both grilling and smoking. Users overwhelmingly agree that the model produces excellent results, reporting success with chicken, chops, and pizza as well as ribs and brisket. "The most versatile grill I've ever owned," says one user, while another says it cooks "to perfection." We found very few complaints about the cooking performance of this Weber model.

Ease Of Use

Nearly foolproof. Users report it takes no more than 15 minutes to assemble the One-Touch Silver. Most owners also agree it's easy to use and clean. According to one reviewer, it's "just about foolproof." Users like that it holds a lot of food and can even accommodate a whole turkey. We read very few complaints about operation, although some say the ash-catching component isn't effective, and messy ash tends to fly around. A few also say that legs or wheels have come loose, and one says the lid doesn't fit snugly enough (a problem if you're smoking food).

Safety

Minimal safety concerns. Most reviewers regard the One-Touch Silver as a simple, basic grill, and the vast majority list no complaints--safety or otherwise. Nevertheless, we did read a handful of comments about safety worth mentioning. Specifically, two users report that the lid handle gets very hot, with one reporting that a large blister developed as a result. In addition, a second user writes that the model "caught fire" three times, although no other user reports such an event. Weber's owner manual has safety instructions that include keeping the grill clear of flammable liquids and always using barbecue mitts and barbecue utensils with long handles.

Cost Of Ownership

Affordable. Reviewers say the combination of high quality and low cost makes the One-Touch Silver a great value. Many say their grill works perfectly years or even decades after purchase, and several note they've had no problems with rust. Annual maintenance involves removing the grates and cleaning with mild detergent and water. The warranty runs ten years for the bowl, lid and handle; and two years for the grates and other parts.