Weber Ranch Kettle Charcoal Barbecue 94 cm

6/14/2019I've wanted one of these since forever. Assembly was yesterday. I've yet to use it. First impression - humongous!Concerns: 1. No hood thermometer built-in. 2. The lid sits nicely on the base. However, it sits inside the edges of the base and will likely channel rainwater into the base if a cover is not employed. This is unlike the premium 22-inch Weber kettle where the lid completely covers the edges of the base. 3. The charcoal grate simply "floats" at the bottom of the base. There are no built on parts on which the charcoal grate sits so that it is always horizontal. I'm afraid it will shift during a cook if I'm moving coals around. I find this hard to believe and wonder if perhaps mine missed that component in the assembly process or if there is an after market part to address this.I'm wondering if other owners have these same issues and if they have proven to be a problem at all. I'll report again after a few cooks. I remain optimistic that this fine product will serve me well.6/15/2019 Mea Culpa. I looked more carefully at my new BBQ. My concerns about rainwater would seem to be unfounded. Actually, the lid has a turned up lip around it's circumference that will catch rainwater. It is not likely to find it's way into the actual kettle. So, further reviews are possible as I begin to use this monster. Thanks.6/28/18 Some two weeks worth of cooking and I cannot express adequately how impressed I am with this monster. It does it all and does it better than any other grill I've ever used in my 55 some odd years of barbecuing. One concern I'll try to describe and hope someone from Weber sees and responds:I'm looking at the Kettle Assembly pamphlet 56693_022811. No nomenclature so I'll simply describe the parts.The page 3 overleaf shows the parts I’m concerned about in the section labeled 1-.The BBQ cover/lid, when off, nestles nicely into a cradle formed by the stainless semicircle attached to the back of the unit. The midpoint of that semicircle is supported by an upright brace that has one end through the rear axle and the upper end a pass through for the stainless semicircle. About one foot down from the top of the brace is a secondary catch point shaped like a fishhook and bolted to the brace. It looks like it is designed so that the hood will rest in the cradle of the “fishhook” when it is tipped back into the stainless semicircle. In fact, it looks as though the lid could fit nicely into the fishhook. However, when my lid is seated in the stainless semicircle it doesn’t reach down far enough to allow that fishhook to play any role in stabilizing the upturned hood.I believe I’ve assembled everything by the book. Please tell me if I’m being too cautious or if maybe I need to redo part of my assembly.Thanks again for a fine Ranch Kettle. It was truly worth the hefty price of admission.6/29/19 In the spirit of "a picture is worth a thousand words" here are three photos to illustrate the situation with the lid. You have to look closely. Thanks.

This one is so ridiculously big that they are not even sold in BBQ stores. Takes up too much floor space. You need to order directly from Weber. Hint: You can grill up to 32 Cornish game hens at one time.You would be best served by using wood instead of briquettes, but use what you want, they all work. Because of its enormous size, I now have really large areas that can be on or off the flames. I really cannot exaggerate the size of this Weber grill.The grate is stainless steel and so heavy, I need help carrying into the house to clean it in the large walk-in shower. I would not buy this is you do not have a location big enough to clean it in.All these warnings aside, I think this is the best wood/charcoal grill I have ever had, due to the amount of space allowing for hot, medium and warm areas for treating meat and poultry just right.