Head-to-Head Comparison · 2026 Update
Weber Performer Deluxe vs Premium 22-inch (2026 Update): Both Discontinued
If you came here to compare the Weber Performer Deluxe and Premium — also searched as "Weber Deluxe charcoal grill" or "Weber Kettle Performer" — here's the news: Weber discontinued both 22-inch models in late 2025. The new 2026 Performer lineup uses different names — Performer ($449), Performer Premium ($649), Performer Smart ($599), and Performer Premium Smart ($799) — and eliminated the gas-assist propane igniter that defined the old Deluxe. This page covers the original Deluxe vs Premium comparison, our full Performer Deluxe review (still useful if you find a closeout or used unit), the 2026 replacements that took their place, and which model you should actually buy today.
What Changed in 2026
The Performer Deluxe and Premium Are Gone — Here's What Replaced Them
Weber's 2026 charcoal grill redesign quietly killed two of the most popular nameplates in the Performer line. The Performer Deluxe (with its Touch-N-Go propane gas igniter) and the original Performer Premium (with the CharBin charcoal storage) both ended production in late 2025. Weber's product team confirmed on the TVWBB forum that the gas assist had declining usage — most owners eventually switched to chimney starters — and the CharBin storage compartment ended up as a "glorified garbage can" for many users.
The 2026 lineup uses cleaner naming: Performer ($449), Performer Premium ($649), Performer Smart ($599), and Performer Premium Smart ($799). The big functional change is the addition of the Weber Works accessory rail system and a digitally-controlled fan on the Smart variants. The kettle itself — the iconic 22-inch porcelain-enameled bowl — is unchanged.
If you owned a Performer Deluxe, the closest 2026 successor depends on what you valued. Want the same cart-and-side-table experience without smart features? Get the new Performer Premium ($649). Want fan-driven temperature control instead of gas-assist convenience? Get the Performer Premium Smart ($799). Both share the same kettle and parts compatibility as your old Deluxe.
If you owned the older Performer Premium, the 2026 Performer Premium ($649) is your direct replacement — same idea, no gas assist, redesigned cart with Weber Works rail. The 2026 Performer Smart ($599) costs less but skips the larger storage shelf.
The Original Comparison
Weber Performer Deluxe vs Premium: Original Specs
Both the Performer Deluxe and Performer Premium were 22-inch charcoal grills built around the iconic Weber Kettle, mounted in a wheeled cart with side table — sometimes called the "Weber Kettle Performer" configuration that's been Weber's signature charcoal grill since 1990.
These were the two flagship Performer models for over a decade. If you find a new-old-stock unit, refurbished model, or used Deluxe at a discount, here's what separated them.
What Separated Them
Deluxe vs Premium: 5 Differences That Actually Mattered
1. Touch-N-Go Gas Igniter (The Big One)
Deluxe-only feature. A small propane tube under the charcoal grate let you push a button and light the coals in 90 seconds. No chimney starter needed. Owners on TVWBB had a vocal pro-camp ("I swear I'll never not have at least one grill with the feature") and a vocal anti-camp ("kept my $50 and use lighter cubes"). Weber's eventual decision to eliminate this on the 2026 line suggests the anti-camp was the larger demographic.
2. Removable LCD Cook Timer
Deluxe-only feature. A backlit digital timer mounted on the side table. Most owners ignored it and used their phone. Weber dropped this from the 2026 lineup entirely — the Smart models now handle timing through the Weber Connect app instead.
3. Color Options
Deluxe wins on variety. The Premium came in Black only. The Deluxe was available in Black, Copper, and Green. The Copper Deluxe in particular became a collector favorite — used Copper Deluxes still command a premium on Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist. The 2026 lineup is back to Black-only across all variants.
4. Price Premium
Deluxe cost ~$50 more. $529 vs $479 at MSRP. The entire $50 premium covered the gas igniter and LCD timer. For most owners, the gas igniter was the only feature worth paying for; the timer was forgettable.
5. Everything Else: Identical
Same kettle, same cart, same grate, same warranty, same cooking area, same weight. This is the part that surprised most buyers. The Deluxe wasn't a different grill — it was a Premium with two convenience accessories bolted on. Independent reviews from BBQHost, Pitmaster Central, and TVWBB all reached the same conclusion: get the Premium and pocket the $50, unless you cooked early-morning enough to value the one-button startup.
Buying in 2026
What Should Deluxe and Premium Owners Buy Today?
For most former Deluxe owners, the Performer Premium Smart ($799) is the right upgrade — it replaces the gas-assist convenience with fan-driven temperature control, which actually does more than the gas igniter ever did. For Premium owners content with manual fire management, the new Performer Premium ($649) is the closest like-for-like.
The Used-Market Question
Should You Buy a Closeout or Used Deluxe Today?
Buy It If
Buy a closeout/used Deluxe if...
- You can find one for $350 or less (Premium MSRP was $479, Deluxe was $529 — anything close to or above MSRP is overpriced for a discontinued model)
- You specifically want the gas assist feature
- The unit comes with the original CharBin storage and LCD timer intact
- You verified the porcelain enamel on the kettle has no chips or rust
- Replacement parts are easy to source (they are — the kettle, grates, ash pan, dampers all share with current Master-Touch line)
Skip It If
Skip the closeout/used Deluxe if...
- You'd pay near-MSRP — the new Performer Premium ($649) gives you a fresh 10-year warranty for similar money
- The seller can't show you the gas assist working — gas igniter components fail and are hard to source replacements for
- You'd actually use the smart features the new Performer Smart offers
- The cart is rusted, painted areas are flaking, or the side table is bent (common on used units)
The Performer Legacy
What Both the Deluxe and Premium Got Right
The Performer line ran from 1990 to 2025 — 35 years — and earned a 92–96% positive owner-review rating across Weber.com, Home Depot, and Amazon (205+ reviews on Weber's site, 468+ on Home Depot). That's longevity that few outdoor cooking products achieve. The reason was simple: the Performer combined the iconic Weber Kettle (the gold-standard 22-inch porcelain bowl that's been in production since 1952) with the cart-and-side-table convenience that made charcoal grilling practical for entertaining.
The CharBin charcoal storage was a genuine innovation — even though Weber later admitted owners didn't always use it as intended. The hinged GBS-compatible cooking grate let you swap in pizza stones, sear grates, and roasting baskets. The One-Touch ash catcher made cleanup faster than any other charcoal grill on the market.
The 2026 redesign keeps the kettle, the cart concept, and the One-Touch system. It loses the CharBin and gas assist but adds the Weber Works accessory rail (which lets you snap on side tables, paper towel holders, and condiment trays) and the digital fan on the Smart variants. For most buyers, that's a net upgrade. For the gas-assist devotees who'll never accept the change, the used market is the only path forward.
Frequently Asked
Weber Performer Deluxe vs Premium FAQ
What size is the Weber Performer Deluxe?
Is the Weber Performer Deluxe still being made?
What's the difference between Weber Performer Deluxe and Premium?
Is the Weber Performer Deluxe worth the extra $50 over the Premium?
What replaced the Weber Performer Deluxe in 2026?
Can I still buy a Weber Performer Deluxe new?
Are Weber Performer parts still available for the Deluxe?
Is the new 2026 Performer Smart better than the old Deluxe?
Where can I find a Weber Performer Deluxe Copper or Green?
Which cover fits the Weber Performer Deluxe or Premium?
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