Babysitting charcoal temperatures during a 12-hour brisket cook feels like being held hostage by fire. You’re constantly adjusting vents, checking temps, and praying your overnight smoke doesn’t turn expensive meat into shoe leather.
Weber’s new Kettle Smart Ring promises to end this anxiety by transforming any 22-inch Weber kettle into a precision temperature machine through automated airflow control.
Digital Fan Meets Ancient Fire
LCD controller and smart fan regulate heat like a thermostat for your coals.
The Smart Ring fits seamlessly into existing Weber 22-inch kettles without modifications—no drilling, cutting, or permanent changes required. Its digital fan system pushes air directly into the coals based on your temperature settings, while the LCD Wi-Fi controller lets you dial in exact heat levels.
Rapidfire Assist mode stokes the coals aggressively for faster startup, cutting preheating time significantly. You can monitor everything remotely through the Weber Connect app, receiving alerts when temperatures drift or food reaches target doneness. One temperature probe comes included, with ports for two additional wired probes.
Netflix and Smoke
App control means you can actually leave the backyard during long cooks.
Instead of camping next to your grill like you’re guarding the last iPhone at a Black Friday sale, the Smart Ring enables true remote monitoring. The Weber Connect app provides real-time temperature graphs, guided cooking alerts, and integration with Weber’s broader smart grilling ecosystem.
Compatibility covers standard 22-inch kettles and Performer charcoal grills, though hinged-lid models and the compact Jumbo Joe won’t work.
Value Play for Kettle Owners
At $279.99, it costs half what Weber charges for a complete smart grill.
Weber’s pricing this Spring 2026 release at $279.99 exclusively through weber.com, positioning it as an upgrade path for the millions of existing kettle owners rather than forcing a complete grill replacement. Compare that to Weber’s Performer Smart Charcoal Grill at $599-plus, and the math makes sense for anyone already invested in the Weber ecosystem.
The three-year warranty suggests Weber expects this to handle the heat and elements long-term.
This represents Weber’s first Wi-Fi-enabled charcoal automation for legacy equipment—a smart move acknowledging that not everyone wants to replace functional gear for connectivity. Whether it delivers on the promise of stress-free smoking remains to be tested, but the concept addresses real pain points every charcoal enthusiast recognizes.
