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The Everdure HUB II by Heston Blumenthal brings electric Fast Flame ignition, premium materials, and Aussie design to charcoal grilling. The Weber Original Kettle is the $219 grill that's been making perfect cooks for 70 years. Six-times-the-price needs to deliver real value — does it?
Quick Verdict
The Weber Original Kettle ($219) is the better buy for almost everyone. The Everdure HUB II ($1,299) is a luxury statement piece — beautiful, well-designed, but the cooking advantage doesn't justify the premium for most cooks.
The Contenders
Weber Original Kettle 22"
$219
Anyone who wants the best charcoal cooker per dollar — beginners to experts
Check PriceEverdure HUB II
$1,299
Design-focused buyers who value Heston Blumenthal aesthetics and electric ignition
Check PriceCategory Breakdown
Cooking Performance
Winner: TieEssentially tied — both produce excellent charcoal cooks. The Kettle's design is so refined after 70 years that it's hard to meaningfully improve on it. The HUB II's rotisserie and electric ignition are nice, but they don't make the food taste better.
Ignition & Setup
Winner: HUB IIHUB II wins with Fast Flame electric ignition that lights coals in 10 minutes with no chimney or lighter cubes. The Kettle requires a chimney starter (cheap and reliable, but more steps). For pure convenience starting fires, HUB II is genuinely better.
Versatility
Winner: HUB IIHUB II wins with included rotisserie and integrated side trays. The Kettle is more versatile via its massive accessory ecosystem (Slow 'N Sear, pizza stones, etc.) but those cost extra. Out of the box, HUB II does more.
Build & Aesthetics
Winner: HUB IIHUB II wins on aesthetics — premium materials, beautiful proportions, and design-magazine looks. The Kettle is utilitarian but iconic. For a designer outdoor kitchen, the HUB II fits in a way the Kettle never will.
Value
Winner: Weber KettleWeber wins by a landslide. The Kettle is the most cost-effective grill ever made. The HUB II is six times the price for incremental upgrades. The cooking experience and food quality just aren't six times better.
Final Verdict
The Weber Original Kettle is the right answer for 95% of buyers. The Everdure HUB II is for the 5% who want a designer charcoal grill as part of a premium outdoor space and have the budget for it. Both cook great food.
Buying Advice
If your reaction to the HUB II is 'wow that's beautiful, I want it,' buy it — that emotional value is real. If your reaction is 'is it really that much better?' the answer is no. Get the Kettle and spend the saved $1,000 on a great smoker.
