Weber started selling kettles in Europe in the ’70s (Probably 1977)
Due to this fact I will only talk about kettles you could find in Germany.
Except the cheap kettle versions „Bar-B-Kettle and Compact Kettle“ all available kettles have the One-Touch System.
The Bar-B-Kettle uses the so called Daisy Wheels to control the airflow.
One-Touch is simply the one armed system to adjust the airflow for temperature control and to sweep the ash out of the bowl. It was introduced in 1983.
All Weber kettles are porcelain-enamelled.
Here is a list of different models and their features:
- One-Touch Plus [1988-1991 (K-N)]
Offers: 22.5″ with removable temperature gauge (also usable as meat thermometer), lid holder „Tuck-Away“, aluminium ash pan - Master Touch (Generation 1 [End 1991-1999 (N-EE])
Offers: 22.5″ with removable temperature gauge (also usable as meat thermometer), lid holder „Tuck-Away“, aluminium ash-catcher, flip-style grate, wooden handles - One-Touch Premium „Johann Lafer Edition“ [2011]
Offers: 22,5″ with build in thermometer, lid holder „Tuck-Away“, aluminium ash-catcher, flip-style grate chrome, plastic handles, longer legs, wooden Side-Kick table, Subscription on the lid from Johann Lafer - One-Touch Premium 2011 Special Edition [2011]
Offers: 22,5″ with build in thermometer, lid holder „Tuck-Away“, aluminium ash-catcher, flip-style grate stainless, plastic handles, longer legs - One-Touch Premium „Gourmet“ [2011]
Offers: Aluminium ash catcher, build in thermometer and flip-style chrome GBS grate plus sear grate insert - Master Touch (Generation 2 [2012-up to now (AT-)])
offers: 22.5″ with build in thermometer, lid holder „Tuck-Away“, aluminium ash-catcher, flip-style grate, plastic handles, longer legs - One-Touch Platinum
Offers: 22.5″ with build in thermometer, lid holder „Tuck-Away“, aluminium ash-catcher, flip-style grate, mounted on steal chart frame, one (older) or two mounted work-tables - One-Touch Gold – Since 2015 named „Original Kettle Premium„
(The Gold and the Premium were also available as 26 3/4 (67cm) diameter from 2009-2015)
Offers: Aluminium ash catcher, build in thermometer and flip-style grate - One-Touch Silver – Since 2015 named „Original Kettle“ (from 197x to somewhere of the mid 80s the 22″ was named 70000series. Each colour has a number like 7xxxx. E.g. The 22″ red kettle 73001 (red). They handles on the bowl where made of metal and the bowl offers three vents (air intake) called „Daisy Wheels“. After introducing the OneTouch cleaning System the kettles were named OneTouch Silver/Gold)
Offers: Aluminium ash pan, prior 1985 with so called Euro legs and twist aluminium ash pan.
1985 twist aluminium ash pan but now with straight legs. 1986 also the ash pan has been changed to the version which is still in use. - One-Touch Silver Limited (rare)
Only in 2005 (DE/Austria)
Offers: Aluminium ash pan, removable thermometer (like MasterTouch Gen.1), black handles,
colour=charcoal mica - Performer
Offers: Mounted on a rolling chart, flip-style grate, (Deluxe version: gas-ignition system (Touch-N-Go)), build in thermometer, lid holder „Tuck-Away“, aluminium ash catcher. The generation 1 Performers have a super durable and handy cart and the flip up table is made of stainless steal. These SS Performers are really rare here in Germany. The SS Touch-N-Go (with gas assists) have two additional wheels on the right side.
Cheap beginners versions:
- Bar-B-Kettle
Not really a collectors item but still a good cooker.
offers: Simple grill grate, Daisy wheel temperature control (3 Daisy wheels), aluminium ash pan. - Compact-Kettle
Not a collectors item.
offers: Simple grill grate, one Daisy-Wheel on the bottom for temperature control, aluminium ash pan.