Just convinced the wife to let me get this tonight and the smoker at the end of the month when i get my next check. This is my first ever purchase of a new one. I still have and old 18 inch but the three valves at the bottom dont all work only two slide. I am still keeping it for the big cookouts but i am excited about this purchase. Cant wait to make some ribs on it this weekend. My Deck looks so nice know with my propane grill sitting next to my new 22 1/2 and my 18. Now i only need the smoker at the end of the month and i will be set....for now! I am looking for tips between the 22 1/2 and 18 (ie. amount of charcol to use)i think i will use the 18 for veggies and my 22 1/2 for meat. The propane will be used for... well nothing right now. I AM SO EXCITED...CHRISTMAS IN AUGUST WOOHOO

Congrats on the new grill !! I got my first Weber this summer (22 1/2" One Touch Gold). I find that if I want to make something using direct heat a chimney full is good. I found for lower temperature cooking at indirect heat 1/2 - 3/4 of a chimney is good. Patience is key, it takes a few minutes for the grill to react to changes (closing/opening vents). I hope your grill came with the cooking grate that has the hinges on the sides. This is great for adding wood or more coals during the cook. Enjoy and let us all know how it goes !!

If the vents are in good shape and just seized up on the older one, you can drill out the rivets and replace them with nuts and bolts. Weber carries replacement vents for the older models if you need them also.

Enjoy the new grill, I love cooking on my 22 1/2.