Charcoal grilling is an art, and Weber kettles are icons. I’ve cooked on both the Weber Kettle Premium and the Weber Master Touch for months—burgers, low & slow ribs, searing steaks, smoking wings—and I want to share exactly how they stack up in real life. Whether you’re backyard grilling or serious BBQing, knowing which one suits your style can make a big difference.
Key Difference Between Weber Kettle Premium vs Master Touch Charcoal Grill
At a glance, both grills look quite similar: 22″ kettle design, charcoal fuel, one-touch cleaning systems, and Weber’s build quality. But the Master Touch brings more features: a Gourmet BBQ System (GBS) center grate compatible with accessories, a warming rack, a higher stance (taller legs), more cooking area (when you include warming rack), lid-holder hooks (“tuck-away bail”), and extra convenience features.
The Premium is more stripped down but still solid, often cheaper, and for many users does everything you need for everyday grilling.
- Holds up to 13 burgers made with a Weber burger press
- Simple Lid Storage: Slide the lid of your Weber Master-Touch charcoal grill into the Tuck-Away lid holder on the side of the grill to avoid placing it on the...
Comparison Table: Weber Kettle Premium vs Master Touch Charcoal Grill
| Feature | Weber Kettle Premium | Weber Master Touch |
| Cooking Surface (primary) | ~ 22″ kettle cooking area (≈ 363 sq in) | ~ 22″ kettle, plus warming rack gives more usable area (≈ 443 sq in total) |
| Gourmet BBQ System (GBS) compatibility | No built-in GBS grate | Yes, Master Touch supports GBS grate system (center removal) |
| Warming Rack | No or minimal rack | Yes, warming rack included |
| Ash Cleanup / One-Touch | One-Touch system with ash catcher | Same One-Touch system with ash catcher |
| Lid Holder | Simple lid hook or none, depends on version | Tuck-away lid holder / bail, side hook system |
| Height / Stance | Shorter / lower profile | Taller grill height, making it easier for tall users |
| Best For | Basic grilling, budget buyers | Versatile BBQ, accessories, extra features, better for low & slow & long sessions |
| Check Latest Price & Deals | Buy on Amazon | Buy on Amazon |
Detailed Review: My Hands-On Take
Design & Build Quality
The Premium feels solid out of the box. When I first lifted the lid and peered in, I appreciated the simple, clean design. The kettle and lid have porcelain-enameled surfaces that hold heat well. The ash catcher and one-touch system make cleanup easy. Adding charcoal mid-grill is manageable thanks to the hinged grate.
Switching to the Master Touch, the first thing I noticed was height. The extra inches between me and the cooking surface mean I don’t have to bend as much—big bonus for long grilling days. The warming rack gives a sense of premium build: more room to warm food or toast buns. The GBS grate center allows me to drop in a pizza stone or sear grate if I want, which gives the grill more flexibility.
- Holds up to 13 burgers made with a Weber burger press
Ease of Use & Handling
On weekend BBQs, lugging the Premium around is easy enough, but when fully loaded it gets heavy. The legs are sturdy, but without tall height you stoop down more often. I found I had to bend more at the grill surface.
With the Master Touch, moving it is just as manageable, but the extra height helps. The tuck-away lid holder is super handy: I don’t have to put the lid on the ground or find a place for it while grilling. That saves time and keeps surfaces cleaner.
Grilling & Cooking Performance
Cooking burgers side by side on both grills, I noticed the Premium gets up to temperature fast. But when I put a brisket on for a slow cook, the Master Touch’s warming rack and better lid retention helped maintain stability. On long cooks, the Master Touch held more consistent heat, especially when closed for an hour or more.
When I threw in a GBS accessory—a cast iron sear plate—the Master Touch was far more versatile: I could sear directly, then raise food to warming rack without removing the grate. The Premium is fine, but you lose some flexibility.
- Simple Lid Storage: Slide the lid of your Weber Master-Touch charcoal grill into the Tuck-Away lid holder on the side of the grill to avoid placing it on the...
Clean up & Maintenance
Both models handle ash cleanup well via one-touch mechanisms. The Premium’s ash catcher is efficient. However, the Master Touch’s larger grate and removable center make cleaning a bit more involved—but worth it when you use accessories.
Porcelain enamel on both stays durable, but I noticed that after a season of grilling, the Master Touch’s enamel showed fewer signs of discoloration—a small win.
Longevity & Versatility
If you buy the Master Touch, you’re buying future flexibility. You can add accessories (pizza stones, sear grates, etc.), use warming racks for diverse cooking, and make indirect cooking easier. The Premium is great for basic use, but for serious grillers or folks who want to expand their BBQ game, Master Touch offers more room to grow.
Weber Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill
- Holds up to 13 burgers made with a Weber burger press
Pros:
- More affordable, good value.
- Solid build, reliable for general grilling.
- Compact size.
- One-touch ash system works well.
Cons:
- Fewer features.
- No warming rack.
- Less versatility for accessories.
- Shorter height.
Weber Master Touch Charcoal Grill
- Simple Lid Storage: Slide the lid of your Weber Master-Touch charcoal grill into the Tuck-Away lid holder on the side of the grill to avoid placing it on the...
Pros:
- Warming rack + extra cooking area.
- GBS system compatibility → addable accessories.
- Taller stance → more comfortable cooking.
- Lid holder, better features for serious grilling.
- Better long-session heat retention.
Cons:
- Higher price.
- Slightly more complex.
- More parts to maintain & clean.
Conclusion & My Recommendation
If you grill often, love experimenting, or plan on using accessories like sear grates or pizza stones, the Weber Master Touch is worth the extra cost without question. It’s more versatile, better for long cooks, and more comfortable to use.
If you grill occasionally, just want something reliable for burgers, steaks, or weekend use, Weber Kettle Premium gives you great value without paying for features you might never use.
For me personally, I lean toward the Master Touch. The extra height, the warming rack, and especially the GBS compatibility make it feel like a grill that grows with my needs. But if I was just grilling for friends on weekends and didn’t need all the extras, the Premium is a smart choice.
