The 22-inch Performer Premium Smart Charcoal Grill ($799, Summer 2026) marks Weber’s first Wi-Fi-equipped charcoal model, featuring an LCD controller that manages airflow through a digital fan system. You’ll set your target temperature, and the grill maintains it automatically—no more midnight temp checks during a brisket cook.
Rapidfire Assist eliminates chimney starter hassles, while two built-in probe ports connect directly to the WEBER CONNECT app for real-time monitoring. This isn’t just another smart appliance—it’s charcoal grilling finally getting the precision control that gas and pellet grills have flaunted for years.
Universal Probes Break the Ecosystem Walls
Smart monitoring works across any grill brand, not just Weber’s latest models.
The Smart Wireless Probe Plus ($114.99) represents Weber’s smartest move: compatibility beyond their own products. These probes work with your existing kettle, your neighbor’s Big Green Egg, even your indoor oven. The Kettle Smart Ring ($279.99) retrofits any 22-inch Weber kettle with app-controlled temperature regulation, turning your trusty old grill into a connected device.
It’s like adding CarPlay to a classic car—respect for what came before, enhanced with modern convenience.
The Reality Check Nobody Asked For
Premium pricing and app dependency reveal smart grilling’s trade-offs.
Weber’s ecosystem spans from the $449 basic Performer to the $799 smart model, with probe systems adding another $40-115 to your bill. You’re paying for convenience, but also accepting that your grill now depends on Wi-Fi connectivity and smartphone batteries.
Traditional charcoal grilling purists might bristle at digitizing their analog ritual, yet anyone who’s ruined a 14-hour cook knows precise temperature control trumps tradition. Your phone dies, your cook continues—but you lose the monitoring that justifies the premium.
Charcoal’s Connected Future
Smart grilling finally addresses charcoal’s biggest limitation without compromising its strengths.
Weber solved charcoal grilling’s fundamental challenge—consistent temperature—while preserving the smoke flavor gas can’t match. Spring 2026 brings the ecosystem online, positioning Weber ahead of pellet grill manufacturers who’ve dominated the connected cooking space.
Your backyard barbecue just got its first real upgrade in decades, bridging the gap between traditional technique and modern convenience.
