Memphis in May is happening this week, bringing together live-fire cooking fans from all over the world. Weber did something different there this year and unveiled a new grill.
They showed off their new Santa Maria style grill that, unfortunately, won’t be released until 2027. It’s the perfect place to introduce new grills because everyone is there to celebrate outdoor cooking.
The new grill isn’t there to just look pretty either. Weber Head Grill Master Dustin Green is leading a team to compete with it at the inaugural Open Fire World Championship.
Cooking over live fire is one of the oldest and most expressive forms of grilling. Bringing Weber quality and performance to this style of cooking on a stage like Memphis in May makes it an exciting moment for the brand and the category.
Dustin Green, Weber Head Grill Master
Features and Specs
- Scheduled to launch in 2027
- Will be offered in two sizes, a base model with an estimated retail price of $899, and a larger premium model for $1,299
- A wheel and pulley system adjusts the height of the cooking grate to control heat
- Semi-enclosed brasero (fire box) on the side with grates on top for searing
- Has a firebrick cookbox for heat retention with ventilation for even heat
- Over 750 square inches of cooking area
- Generous cooking surface (750+ sq in) for flexibility and capacity
- Heavy-duty, stainless-steel frame and cooking grates for durability
First Blackstone and Weber Shared Platform?
Blackstone and Weber merged together a year ago into one unified company. I’ve been waiting to see how that would impact their product development.
Blackstone made headlines earlier this year when they released the Bronco Santa Maria style grill. I’d have to see the new Weber Santa Maria grill up close, but I’d imagine this grill is from idea sharing or even platform sharing between the two companies.
Differences From Blackstone Santa Maria
I’ve been cooking on the Blackstone Bronco Santa Maria grill for a few months now and have been really liking it. I’ll have a full review shortly, but it delivers on its value-based promises.
Despite it’s cheap price tag for a grill of this style, it’s a very capable grill. I’ve been impressed with its heat retention without needing a ton of charcoal even though it doesn’t have fire bricks.
The Weber version takes what the Blackstone does well and goes up-market. The finish on it looks more refined, the brasero is partially enclosed with grates on the top, and the cross-bar has spots for hooks.
There are also some small but impactful feature upgrades like a side shelf and a spot to store a shovel for tending the fire. They’ve managed to bring that same value to the higher price point that’s still very accessible.
Live-fire cooking is about more than just heat—it’s about control, creativity, and the experience of cooking over flame. With this launch, we’re bringing that experience to more people without compromising the performance that defines it.
Dustin Green, Weber Head Grill Master