Is the New Weber Kettle a Pellet Grill Killer? Weber Performer Smart Review

Get the Weber Performer Smart Charcoal Grill from Lowe's 👉https://shoplowes.me/4aU29HV Today we're firing up the brand-new Weber Performer Smart Charcoal Grill, and out of all the grills I've tested so far in 2026, this one shot straight to the top of my list. For under $600, you're getting a classic 22" kettle with a game-changing twist: a built-in, app-controlled fan that turns "low and slow" into "set it and forget it." No drilling holes, no aftermarket gadgets. Just dial in your temp and walk away. I put it through the wringer with steaks, a 14 lb brisket, beef back ribs, St. Louis ribs, and more. Some cooks went perfectly, and one or two taught me a lesson (yes, even a guy who cooks a ton of steak can make a rookie mistake). But the real question is this. How did Weber cram set-and-forget smoking AND screaming-hot searing into one kettle under $600, and does it actually deliver that backyard charcoal flavor? TIMELINE 00:00 Intro – My favorite grill of 2026 00:37 Packaging & Assembly 01:14 Burn-Off 01:35 Lighting It Up: Setting Up the Fan 03:07 Cook 1: New York Strip Steaks 04:11 Cook 2: Smoking a Brisket (Fan Test) 07:08 Cook 3: Grilling Ribeyes & Brats 08:01 Cook 4: Beef Back Ribs & Kielbasa 09:33 Cook 5: St. Louis Ribs 10:20 Pros & Cons 12:43 The App & Final Thoughts Disclaimer: This video description contains affiliate links. If you click on one of the product links and buy smokedbbqsource will receive a commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support us so we can make more videos like this.