The Smoke Journal
Fork & Embers Weber Kettle Setup
The Weber Kettle is one of the grills I still use constantly. This is the exact setup I use, including the kettle, fire management, thermometers, tools, and accessories that have earned a permanent spot around it.
Affiliate disclosure: Some links in this article may be affiliate links. If you buy through them, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend gear I actually use.
Why I Still Use a Weber Kettle
I own more grills and smokers than any reasonable person probably needs, but the Weber Kettle is still one of the cookers I use the most.
Part of that is because it is simple. There is not much between you and the fire. You control the charcoal, the airflow, where the heat sits, and where the food goes. Once you get comfortable with those few things, a kettle can handle a ridiculous amount of cooking.
I use mine for burgers, steaks, chicken, reverse searing, two-zone grilling, ribs, and plenty of cooks where I want some smoke without firing up a dedicated smoker.
This also is not meant to be a list of every accessory you can buy for a Weber Kettle. There are enough of those to turn a fairly simple grill into a science project.
This is the setup I actually use.
Weber Original Kettle Premium 22-Inch
Everything starts with the Weber Original Kettle Premium 22-inch.
If I were buying another kettle today, I’d still go with the 22-inch Premium. It gives me enough cooking space for most of what I do without taking up a ton of room, and the enclosed ash catcher alone makes it worth stepping up from the basic model.
The hinged cooking grate and built-in lid thermometer are nice to have, but the biggest reason I keep coming back to the kettle is simply how much you can do with it.
Direct grilling, indirect cooking, smoking, reverse searing and plenty more can all happen on the same grill.
[Check the Weber Original Kettle Premium on Amazon]
Upgraded Stainless-Steel Cooking Grate
One of the upgrades I made to mine was replacing the original cooking grate with a heavy-duty stainless-steel grate.
You absolutely don't need to replace the factory grate as soon as you buy a Weber. Mine was an upgrade after using the kettle enough that I knew it was going to stick around.
A good stainless grate is heavier, easier to maintain and built for a lot more use. I also prefer one with hinged or removable sections that let me get to the charcoal underneath without taking the entire cooking grate off.
If your original grate is getting worn out, this is one of the first places I'd upgrade.
[See the stainless-steel grate I use on Amazon]
SNS Grills Slow ‘N Sear
The SNS Grills Slow ‘N Sear is probably the biggest functional upgrade I've made to the kettle.
It sits along one side of the grill and gives me a dedicated charcoal area with the rest of the cooking grate left open for indirect heat.
You can absolutely bank charcoal against the side of a kettle and accomplish the same basic thing for free. The Slow ‘N Sear just makes the setup cleaner and more repeatable.
I use it for reverse-seared steaks, chicken, ribs and plenty of longer cooks where I want more control over the fire.
If you're already comfortable cooking on a kettle and want to get more out of it, this is one of the accessories I'd look at first.
[Check out the Slow ‘N Sear on Amazon]
Charcoal Chimney Starter
If you buy a Weber Kettle, buy a charcoal chimney with it.
This is one of the few things on this list that I would consider almost essential.
It gets charcoal lit quickly without lighter fluid and makes it easy to control how much fuel I'm starting with.
I've used chimneys for years, and there really isn't a more complicated explanation than that. They work.
[See the charcoal chimney I use on Amazon]
Tumbleweed Fire Starters
If I’m using a charcoal chimney, I’m usually lighting it with tumbleweed fire starters.
They’re simple, clean, and a lot easier than messing with newspaper or trying to improvise something every time I light a fire.
I usually put one underneath the chimney, light it, and let it do the work.
They’re cheap, they store easily, and I go through enough of them that I always keep a box around.
[See the tumbleweed fire starters I use on Amazon]
Wireless Meat Thermometer
For longer cooks, I use a wireless thermometer so I can keep track of temperatures without constantly opening the kettle.
This becomes especially useful when I'm using the kettle more like a smoker or cooking larger pieces of meat indirectly.
The one I've linked below is my favorite inexpensive wireless thermometer. Not need to use my phone either. You will see this guy in a lot of my videos.
[See my wireless thermometer on Amazon]
Instant-Read Thermometer
My wireless thermometer handles the long-term monitoring. My instant-read thermometer is what I use when I want an answer right now.
Steaks, chicken, burgers, pork chops, whatever I'm cooking, I want to know the internal temperature instead of guessing based on time.
If you're only going to buy one thermometer for grilling, I'd probably start here before buying a wireless system.
It's useful on every grill, smoker and even in the kitchen. The one I've linked below is my favorite inexpensive thermometer. I have a few recommendations for slightly more expensive thermometers but this one is a great starter.
[See the instant-read thermometer I use on Amazon]
Grilling Tool Set
You don't need twenty-seven stainless-steel grilling gadgets hanging from hooks around your kettle.
You do need a few good tools.
The grilling tool set I use covers the stuff I actually reach for, especially a good pair of long tongs and a sturdy spatula.
Long handles matter more around charcoal than they do on some other grills. When you've got a full chimney of hot coals sitting a few inches underneath the cooking grate, having a little distance between your hands and the fire is a good thing.
[See my grilling tools on Amazon]
Heat-Resistant Grilling Gloves
A good pair of heat-resistant gloves stays close to just about every grill I own.
On the kettle, I use them when I'm dealing with hot cooking grates, charcoal baskets, the Slow ‘N Sear or anything else that's been sitting directly over a charcoal fire.
They're one of those pieces of gear that don't seem very exciting until you don't have them when you need them.
[See the grilling gloves I use on Amazon]
Fork & Embers Apron
And then there is the Fork & Embers apron.
I wear one for most cooks because charcoal, grease and barbecue sauce have a way of finding whatever shirt I'm wearing. Also, my stomach gets hotter than a goats butt in a pepper patch when standing over that fire.
I'm a little bias but the one I've linked below is my favorite. Wink wink.
The gear in this setup
The full loadout
Everything I actually use in this setup. Not a shopping list — the working kit.
Weber Kettle Premium
The 22-inch Weber Kettle is the center of this entire setup. Simple, versatile, and capable of everything from burgers and steaks to indirect cooks and barbecue.
Check Price
Stainless Steel Grate
A heavier stainless-steel replacement grate built for regular kettle use and easier access to the charcoal underneath.
Check Price
SNS Slow N' Sear
A charcoal insert that creates a clean direct and indirect cooking setup inside a 22-inch kettle.
Check Price
Tumbleweed Firestarters
Simple fire starters that work perfectly under a charcoal chimney.
They are easy, reliable, and pair perfectly with a chimney. You can use torn-up charcoal bag pieces, but those tend to go out on me before the charcoal gets going.
Skip it if You already have another natural fire starter that works consistently for you.
Check Price
Charcoal Chimney
The easiest way to light charcoal cleanly without using lighter fluid.
Starting charcoal can be a headache, and a chimney makes it simple, repeatable, and cleaner tasting. Please do not use lighter fluid unless you want your food tasting like a gas station parking lot.
Skip it if You do not cook with charcoal or you enjoy the taste of lighter fluid.
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TempPro TP19H Digital Meat Thermometer
A cheap, reliable instant-read thermometer that helps beginners stop guessing meat temps.
You don’t need to spend a fortune to start cooking better BBQ. This is affordable, simple, and does what you actually need without a bunch of bells and whistles.
Skip it if You already own a fast, reliable instant-read thermometer or don't care to overcook or undercook meat
Check Price
TempPro TP829 Wireless Meat Thermometer
An affordable wireless leave-in thermometer for tracking smoker and meat temperature without relying on inaccurate built-in lid gauges.
Built-in smoker thermometers are usually not reliable, and this gives you a wireless receiver without forcing you to connect everything to your phone. I like that I can carry the receiver around instead of fighting Bluetooth disconnects or needing my phone beside me the whole cook.
Skip it if You already own a dependable leave-in probe thermometer system, or you only grill quick foods and do not smoke meat for long cooks.
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Fire Resistant Gloves
Heat-resistant gloves that protect your hands and arms when working over hot fire.
These are one of those things you wish you bought before you burn your arm reaching across a hot grill. I like gloves that come farther up the arm so you get more protection.
Skip it if You already have quality heat-resistant gloves with good arm coverage.
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Grilling Utensil Set
Basic BBQ tongs, spatula, and fork for safely moving food around the grill.
You need solid tools to move meat around. I prefer wooden handles because the rubber ones always seem to melt, slide off, or fall apart when you actually use them around heat.
Skip it if You already have sturdy grill tools that can handle high heat.
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Fork & Ember Apron
A high-quality apron for grilling over heat, keeping clothes clean, and looking like you know what you’re doing.
When I’m grilling over a lot of heat, my stomach gets so hot I’m not sure if I’m cooking the meat or myself. A good apron helps, and yeah, this one is mine.
Skip it if You already have a durable apron you love.
Shop Apron
