Depends Which Grill You're Buying
Weber is an American company, but are Weber grills made in the USA? The short answer: some Weber grills are made in America, and some are made in China. Which category your grill falls into depends entirely on the model — and Weber doesn’t always make that easy to figure out at a glance. Here’s how to tell before you spend several hundred dollars on the wrong one.
For more information, check out Outdoor and Camping Gear Not Made in China.
A Genuine American Brand With a Complicated Manufacturing Story
Weber was founded in 1952 when George Stephen, a metalworker in Chicago, cut a round steel buoy in half and invented the kettle grill. The company stayed family-owned for decades and manufactured in Illinois the whole time. In 2010, the family sold the majority stake to a private equity firm, and things got more complicated from there.
Today Weber is still headquartered in Palatine, Illinois, with a large manufacturing facility in nearby Huntley. But not everything that carries the Weber name is made there.
Which Weber Grills Are Made in the USA?
According to Weber’s own customer service responses, the following series are assembled in Illinois using globally sourced components:
- Summit gas grills
- Electric grills
- Most charcoal grills — including most of the classic Kettles
Everything labeled as USA-assembled still uses components sourced internationally, including from China.
Which Weber Grills Are Made in China?
These series are manufactured in China:
- Spirit and Spirit II gas grills — among Weber’s most popular and widely sold models
- Go-Anywhere portable grills
- Some Genesis II models — Weber used a “dual source” approach for this series, meaning the same model might come from Illinois or China depending on when and where it was purchased
The Spirit II is worth flagging specifically. It’s the grill Weber pushes hardest at entry-level price points, and it’s entirely made in China. That’s not necessarily a quality issue — Weber maintains quality control across its factories and backs the Spirit II with a 10-year warranty. But if origin matters to you, the price point is a reliable indicator: the cheaper the Weber, the more likely it’s Chinese-made.
How to Check Before You Buy
This is the most useful thing we can tell you. The label is on the box and the grill — you just have to know where to look.
Open the doors on the lower cabinet of the grill and look for the origin sticker inside. It will say either “Made in USA incorporating globally sourced component parts” or list another country. If you’re shopping in-store, do this before you put it in the cart. If you’re buying online, check the product listing carefully.
Acme Tools in North Dakota lists the country of origin on their product listings.
Recommended: Weber Jumbo Joe 22″ Premium Charcoal Grill – about $100
The Verdict
- Weber is a legitimate American brand with real manufacturing in Illinois. The charcoal kettle and Summit gas grills are as close to American-made as you’ll get in this category. But a significant portion of their lineup — including the most popular and affordable gas grills — is made in China.
If you want a grill with no China manufacturing in the picture at all, the options are there, but limited.
- Broil King – Made in North America (USA and Canada)
- Broil King gas grills are manufactured in plants in Huntington, Indiana, Dickson, Tennessee, and Waterloo, Ontario. No Chinese manufacturing in their gas grill line. Family-owned, North American steel throughout. If you want a direct Weber alternative with a clear origin story, this is the most straightforward swap. Recommended: Broil King Baron 420 Pro Shadow 4 Burner Propane Gas Grill – around $1,100. Check prices on Acme Tools
- Napoleon Prestige – Made in Canada (Prestige line only)
- Napoleon is a mixed-origin brand. The high-end Prestige line is made in Canada, but lower-end grills are produced in China at facilities the company owns in Guangzhou. If you’re buying Napoleon specifically to avoid Chinese manufacturing, you need to buy the Prestige series, verify the label and pay a premium. Napoleon does publish a “Made in Canada” filter on their website, which makes it navigable — but it requires due diligence at point of purchase. Recommended: Napoleon Prestige PRO 500 Propane Gas Grill – around $3,850 Check prices on Acme Tools
Weber is still one of the better choices in grilling. Just check the label first.
We verify country-of-origin claims using manufacturer disclosures, product labels, and trade records. If something has changed, email us at webmaster@whybuyfromchina.com
Last verified April 2026.
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