Photo: reddit.com
What We Like
- Compact and lightweight (14.5 lbs.)
- Rustproof porcelain-enameled lid and base
- Easy-to-clean plated steel cooking grates
- Locking lid with dampers for temperature control
- Pivoting steel legs for compact carrying
What We Don’t Like
- Small cooking surface
Bottom Line
If you are looking for a compact and lightweight charcoal grill for small family use, Weber’s 121020 is the best option to consider.
Introduction
When enjoying some time outdoors, nothing sets the mood more than a barbecue with the smell of roasting meat filling the air. There are several types of grills that you can use for this job, but a compact one is better if you are preparing food for your small family or a few guests.
Weber’s 121020 is one such grill. It offers rugged durability and ease of use in a small package, which is perfect for family use. The review below details all you need to know about this product so let’s get right into it.
Weber 121020 Review
Photo: Weber
Performance: Ideal for a Small Family
The Weber 121020 is characterized by a 160 square inch cooking surface, which is quite small. As such, it is ideal for preparing meals for small families of 2-3 people. To put it into perspective, this surface can hold up to 6 burgers made with a Weber burger press.
Design: Black Solid Piece
Despite being very compact, this charcoal grill is built to be very sturdy while withstanding all weather conditions.
To achieve this, it has a study premium-grade steel lid and base, which form its main structure. These two components have no nuts, bolts, or joints, and are coated using porcelain enamel, which prevents rusting and does not peel overtime to expose the steel to the rusting process.
Additionally, you get plated steel cooking grates and legs, which are very tough and durable.
On the outside, glass-reinforced nylon handles on the lid and sides ensure high durability and according to Weber, they are built to withstand the elements for the entire lifespan of the grill.
These nylon handles provide an insulation layer that protects your hands from the heat and therefore, you don’t need mittens to open the lid when cooking or to carry the grill when hot.
Save for the grey handles, silvery legs, and dampers, the entire unit is black due to its porcelain enamel coating but with a shiny good-looking finish.
Setup Process: Easy to Set up
This charcoal grill requires no assembly. Once unpacked, you simply have to flip up the silver legs so that they can hold the base and lid together. This allows you to carry the entire unit using the top handle.
If you want to prepare a meal, simply flip down the legs and this will allow you to lift the lid from the base. These legs meet at the bottom of the base and lift it so that you can cook at a comfortable height position.
Lifting the lid exposes the 160 square-foot steel-plated cooking grate, which can be easily mounted or unmounted from the base.
Cleaning: Easy to Clean
Both the interior and exterior surfaces of the Weber 121020 are easy to clean. On the inside, the steel-plated cooking grate has a smooth silvery non-stick surface that is very easy to wipe clean.
On the outside, the smooth porcelain enamel coat makes it easy to wipe the lid and base. In fact, both the inner and outer surfaces of these two parts are coated using porcelain enamel, which means fat and ash stains in the inner sections can be easily wiped off.
The heavy-duty plated steel legs also have smooth surfaces that can be cleaned easily.
Portability: Compact and Lightweight
The most notable characteristic about this grill is its compact and lightweight construction because it measures 21 inches in width, 12.2 inches in length and 14.5 inches in height, and weighs 14.5 lbs.
It has two handles on the sides and one at the top for easy carrying. This makes it highly portable but still practical enough to prepare a meal for 2-3 people.
As a result, the manufacturer terms it as a “go anywhere” grill that gives you a taste of home anywhere you go.
Heating and Cooling: Aluminum Dampers
Weber’s 121020 is powered using charcoal, which should be placed in the base, below the grate. Regulating the temperature produced by charcoal fuel is not an easy task and for this reason, four aluminum dampers are built-in (two on the lid, two on the base).
Each has 3 holes and they can be rotated to open or close the holes. This enables you to regulate airflow into the burning fuel in which, fully open holes let more air in to create a hotter fire and the vice versa is true.
However, you need to use an external thermometer to measure the temperature in your food and inside the grill if cooking it while following very precise recipes.
Accessories: Extras at an Extra Cost
This charcoal grill is quite affordable but with that, you don’t get any accessories. Any extras should be bought at an extra cost and these include the Weber 6750 instant meat read thermometer and the Weber 6645 toolset, just to name a few.
Price: Affordable
As stated above, this product is quite affordable, and it gives you all the basic features that match its price.
Within this compact “go anywhere” category, the only comparable grill is the Weber 1141001. It is slightly more expensive but is powered by gas and has push-button ignition for quick start-up.
Verdict
A compact and lightweight charcoal grill that is ideal for preparing meals for a small family anywhere outdoors.
Due to its compact and lightweight design, Weber’s 121020 can be easily carried to any outdoor event, be it camping, fishing, etc., to prepare a small quantity of food. Its relatively small 160 square inch cooking surface can fit about 6 burgers to prepare a meal for about 3 people.
Find Other Options: The Best Portable Charcoal Grills
Specs
- Product Name: Weber 121020
- Product Brand: Weber
- Fuel Type: Charcoal
- Primary Cooking Area: 160 square inches
- Material: Porcelain-coated steel
- Product Dimensions: 14.5 x 21 x 12.2 inches
- Weight: 14.5 lbs.
- Warranty: 10 years (cook box and lid assembly), 5 years (plastic components), 2 years for remaining parts
Key Features
- Compact 6-burger capacity.
- Rust-free porcelain-enameled steel lid and base.
- Easy-to-clean plated steel grate and legs.
- Tuck and carry lid lock.
- Glass-reinforced nylon handles.
- Four rustproof aluminum dampers for temperature control.