The Real Reason Weber Grills Are So Expensive

While they aren't the most lux backyard grills on the market, Weber grills command a decent price. In fact, they always have since they were first launched in the 1950s. Marketed by its inventor George Stephen as a "barbecue kettle," the original Weber grill first sold for $29.95, the equivalent of about $270 in today's money.

Stephen invented the original grill while working for Weber Brothers Metal Works, his father's company. The original prototype was made from two domed buoy parts, and the unique-shaped grill Stephen created persists to this day. Weber had claimed the unique shape evenly reflects heat, making it superior. However, there isn't much science to back up the idea that it cooks better than box-shaped grills.

At first, Stephen only sold a few of the original Weber grills, mostly using his invention to cook for family and friends. After a few design revisions and several years, the Weber grill caught on and became one of the most iconic grills in America. Today, Weber grills are highly respected by barbecue enthusiasts, but their quality comes with a moderate price tag, for which there are a few reasons.

While the classic kettle grill may have put Weber on the grilling map, its shape contributes to its price tag. In speaking with Smithsonian Magazine, the company's chief marketing officer Mike Kempster said the shape is difficult to manufacture and requires "really, really big presses" that draw steel into the desired form.

But perhaps the best answer to the question of why Weber grills are so expensive is quality. The company says it does not skimp on quality, and only the best will do. "Over-engineered? Maybe to some," Weber admits in a promotional video.

The porcelain-enameled bowls and lids on a classic Weber grill are fired at 1600 F to withstand both the heat of burning charcoal and the long-term effects of weathering. The company's Flavorizer bars on its gas grills are specifically engineered to direct dripping juices and grease away from the gas burners while facilitating the creation of flavor-adding smoke. The cooking grates are made from heavy-grade stainless steel or porcelain-coated cast iron to facilitate heat transfer.

The company says each grill is the result of a rigorous design process, and each grill must pass its robust quality control standards. Weber also invests heavily in research and thoroughly tests potential new features before incorporating them into a new grill design.

Being American-made is another major reason why Weber grills command a premium price. We are used to having very affordable consumer products made in developing countries. These products can be priced lower than goods made in the USA due to low labor costs and superior manufacturing infrastructure.

The clothing industry is probably the most glaring example of how low labor costs can be in other countries compared to the US. A recent study by Oxfam found that 99 percent of garment workers in Vietnam do not earn a living wage in Asia — calculated to be $1.90 per day. According to Payscale, the average garment worker in the US earns $13 per hour.

Additionally, the manufacturing infrastructure in other countries is more expansive than in the US. Other countries simply have better access to raw materials, bigger production facilities, and even a more sizable workforce. For example, Foxconn, the Chinese company that makes the iPhone, is estimated to employ more than 150,000 employees at just four mega-factories (via Business Insider).

Interestingly, there's also a perception that American-made products are of higher quality, and this perception allows American manufacturers like Weber to charge a premium. In a recent Forbes op-ed, eyewear importer Scott Shapiro said American manufacturers could charge an additional 10 percent by dint of being domestic products.