probably dumb question: what does 'one touch' on weber kettles mean ?

[curious aardvark]

I used to think it refeered to some weird one touch charcoal lighting system.

But that can't be right.

So what does it actually refer to ?

[Doug S.]

It's definitely not the cleaning system on the Silver model.... The "Gold" model is where it's at !!!

[Fishawn]

I believe its the ash cleaning system, which also controls the 3 vents. You move a lever back and forth to move the ash into the vent holes where it falls into the ash catcher. Then the same lever is used to open, close or adjust the vents.

Edit: Just checked Weber's website & all their kettles are noted as "One Touch" , they just have different ash cleaning systems (The Gold & Silver models).

[PitRow]

I believe its the ash cleaning system, which also controls the 3 vents. You move a lever back and forth to move the ash into the vent holes where it falls into the ash catcher. Then the same lever is used to open, close or adjust the vents.

Edit: Just checked Weber's website & all their kettles are noted as "One Touch" , they just have different ash cleaning systems (The Gold & Silver models).

I believe Fish is right... it's the system for controlling the bottom vents, using one handle, instead of the two or three different daisy wheel vents older model webers had on the bottom. So you can effectively control the air flow with "one touch" instead of having adjust three separate vents.

[curious aardvark]

lol - ah ha so it's either the ash removal or the vents.
wasn't quite as dumb a question as I thought

[Mikey]

I believe Fish is right... it's the system for controlling the bottom vents, using one handle, instead of the two or three different daisy wheel vents older model webers had on the bottom. So you can effectively control the air flow with "one touch" instead of having adjust three separate vents.

It's also a somewhat effective way of getting the ash out of the bowl by moving the lever back & forth several times. The 3 daisy wheels were much better at controlling the air flow as they fit tighter to the bowl. The 3 bladed system that's in use now is a pretty crappy fit.

[Fishawn]

lol - ah ha so it's either the ash removal or the vents.

It's actually both in one "mechanism"