Performer Premium vs. Deluxe

[steph746]

I'm looking to purchase our first grill. After finally deciding on charcoal, I now have another decision...

What do you all think of the Performer Deluxe vs. The Premium? It seems that the main difference is the gas starter on the Deluxe model? Is this a handy thing to have? If I go with the Deluxe, then I wouldn't need to purchase a chimney starter? So, this might also be a question of chimney starter vs. the gas assist starter...

Thanks in advance for any advice/feedback...

[shoebe]

I have the gas assist and use it to start my chimney...works great

[steph746]

I see...so the gas assist doesn't necessarily replace the chimney? Could the gas assist be used to just light the coals in the bed or the coals really need to gathered in something like a chimney device?

[kettlebb]

A chimney will always help the charcoal start faster in my opinion so the gas assist is not a replacement for the chimney. If I were in the market for a new one off the shelf I'd go with the premium and save the money for other accessories or more charcoal. The Weber starter cubes work really well to get a chimney lit.


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[HoosierKettle]

Can't go wrong either way. Gas assist is nice but not a necessity. Some prefer it, some don't. I like using the lighter cubes.


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[steph746]

I see...so you can place lighter cubes beneath the coals in a chimney like this?

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Weber-Compact-Rapidfire-Chimney-Starter-7447/203609220

Does the chimney hold enough briquettes for a 22" or would I need to do two or three chimney rounds?

[Kneab]

One chimney full is usually more than enough in a 22.
Don't skimp and get a knockoff. The Weber ones last a long time.
The one you linked is the smaller one. The big one is #7416 and it should be $15-17. Amazon has it for $14.99

[steph746]

Thanks...this would be the one to get?...

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Weber-Compact-Rapidfire-Chimney-Starter-7447/203609220


And some starter cubes?...

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Weber-Lighter-Cubes-24-Pack-7417/202843410

[HoosierKettle]

You want the full size chimney


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[steph746]

I see...so, probably this one...although it's been discontinued:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Weber-Rapidfire-Chimney-Charcoal-Starter-7416/100657893

Would you say it holds just the right amount of charcoal for a 22" kettle or I would need to play around with it a little bit?

[Kneab]

https://m.lowes.com/pd/Weber-7-5-in-x-12-in-Aluminum-Charcoal-Chimney/1057001

[steph746]

Thanks for that...just a couple of other questions about the performer. Do you find the bin useful for storing charcoal? Does it have a weather tight lid?

[Kneab]

I have only had my gen2 for a day but  I think mainly I'm just going to store charcoal cages and starting cans in my gen2. I will store my charcoal inside my gen 1 performer. It is much more rodent/weatherproof.

[Cellar2ful]

Weber Chimney #7146 is the one you want for a 22" kettle.

Lowe's carries them.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Weber-7-5-in-x-12-in-Aluminum-Charcoal-Chimney/1057001

Or if you have Amazon Prime, you can order them through Amazon with free shipping.

https://www.amazon.com/Weber-7416-Rapidfire-Chimney-Starter/dp/B000WEOQV8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1497303853&sr=8-1&keywords=weber+chimney+starter

[TheDude]

I have a pretty modest collection.  First GA is still disassembled in the back of my truck. Just recently got my brother addicted and his first was a GA preformer, that he thought he overpaid for. He's now looking for a second. Can't wait to get my GA home, and assembled. That said... Don't buy new. There are too many on CL. Especially if you live near a metropolitan area. A GA, paired with a chimney can't be beat.