Weber Kettle vs Char-Broil Kettleman TRU-Infrared: Which One Should You Buy?

The Char-Broil Kettleman TRU-Infrared tried to reinvent the charcoal kettle grill with infrared technology. The Weber Kettle Premium 22" didn't try to reinvent anything — it just kept being the best affordable charcoal grill on the market. The scores — 7.8 vs 5.8 — tell you everything you need to know. But let's dig into why. ## Quick Comparison | Feature | Weber Kettle Premium 22" | Char-Broil Kettleman | |---------|------------------------|-------------------| | **Price** | ~$165 | ~$200 | | **Cooking Area** | 363 sq in | 360 sq in | | **Technology** | Traditional charcoal | TRU-Infrared | | **Weight** | 32 lbs | 36 lbs | | **Ash Management** | One-Touch system | Basic | | **Track Record** | 70+ years | Discontinued concerns | | **BBQ Experience Score** | 7.8/10 | 5.8/10 | ## Build Quality The Weber Kettle is a known quantity. Porcelain-enamel steel, aluminum vents, solid hardware. Nothing revolutionary, everything reliable. The one-touch cleaning system alone is worth the price. The Char-Broil Kettleman feels cheaper despite costing more. The lid doesn't seal as tight. The vents are less precise. The infrared grate adds complexity without adding durability. ## Performance Here's where the 2-point score gap lives. The Weber Kettle gives you direct charcoal flavor, excellent sear marks, intuitive two-zone cooking, and predictable results. Sixty years of design refinement produced a grill that just works. The Char-Broil's TRU-Infrared system sits between the charcoal and the food, supposedly distributing heat more evenly and reducing flare-ups. In practice, it mutes the charcoal flavor that's the entire point of charcoal grilling. You lose the smoky sear. You lose the ability to get food close to coals for high-heat cooking. You gain marginally more even heat — at the cost of everything that makes charcoal cooking special. It's a solution to a problem that doesn't exist. Nobody buying a charcoal grill wants less charcoal flavor. ## Value for Money The Weber costs $35 less and scores 2 full points higher. This isn't a competition — it's a mismatch. ## Verdict **The Weber Kettle Premium 22" wins decisively.** This is the most lopsided comparison in our database. The Char-Broil Kettleman TRU-Infrared takes the simplicity of charcoal grilling and adds complexity that makes it worse. It costs more and delivers less. **There is no scenario where the Char-Broil Kettleman is the right choice.** The Weber Kettle is cheaper, better built, more flavorful, and backed by decades of proven reliability. Save your money. Buy the Weber. [Full Weber Kettle Premium 22" Review](/en/reviews/weber-kettle-premium-22-review/) | [Full Char-Broil Kettleman Review](/en/reviews/char-broil-kettleman-tru-infrared-review/)