Okay, okay - maybe the headline isn't much news for those that own both the SNS and Smokenator - as there really isn't much of a comparison on it's face.
I'll make it a bit more interesting by comparing my HEAVILY MODIFIED Smokenator using "hacks" (not the OEM instructions) vs the SNS right out of the box using OEM instructions.
First - here is my modified Smokenator and my brand new SNS - note the modified opening and deleted OEM water pan:
I am using the same size and weight baby backs I used the last time with the Smokenator: 2 - 3lb racks of very thick baby back ribs.
I prepared them the same way: dry brine over night then mustard slathering and adding rub just before cooking; I dry brine with Huskee's rib rub (old recipe) and use it as the final rub as well. The only difference is that I used lump coal on the last cook with the Smokenator.
And we're off!
Coals lit and loaded (with cherry and apple chunks), water pan filled and vents set exactly per OEM instructions:
It took appx. 25-30 mins for the cooker temp to reach 225.
I adjusted the vents per instructions and the cooker temp plateaued at 265-275.
Here we are after 3 hours:
And here is what we are looking like after 6 hours:
For this test I decided not to add any additional coals the the SNS just to see what I can expect from 1 full fire basket.
The heat source totally petered out after 6.5 hours.
Unfortunately the IT of the ribs was 158 and 166 respectively, so to finish them up they got wrapped and put in a convection oven.
Here is what they looked like just before I wrapped them and put them in the oven to finish up:
...and here they are coming out of the oven at desired temps (190-195) - and no, I didn't sauce these ribs:
And here is a nice picture showing rib thickness and smoke ring:
Now for the results & takeaways from this cook:
From a price point the SNS and Smokenator are about the same - maybe $15-$20 difference with the SNS being more expensive. The difference is you get what you pay for with the SNS - no question. I definitely have no buyer's remorse with the SNS like I did (do) with the Smokenator.
From a product quality standpoint the SNS wins hands-down. Nice weighty welded steel vs thin cheap punched metal of the Smokenator. The thicker steel of the SNS seems to hold temps much better.
The Smokenator took 7.25 hours to fully cook the same amount of ribs as the SNS, but that included adding new coals twice and re-filling the water pan (not the OEM pan, but a foil pan placed on top of the grate above the Smokenator and coals) twice.
I never added additional coal to the SNS, but got 6.5 hours of heat.
Each time I filled the coals up with the Smokenator I got significant cooker temp drops that took a while to recover, but every time I lifted the lid with the SNS the cooker temps rebounded like a champ right back up to 250-260.
Temps with the Smokenator (when running properly) were an average of about 240-260 with some peaks of 280 or so.
Temps with the SNS stayed in the 260-275 range for the entire cook with one spike up to 300 after stirring the coals.
As far as low maintenance - The SNS wins hands down. The larger coal box and the large water side pan made this a joy to cook with compared to the Smokenator - even with the "hacks" and modifications. I had to add new coals to the Smokenator about every 2-2.5 hours and the water about every 3 hours.
I would say the ribs from both cooks were about the same - virtually no difference in tenderness and moisture - both were excellent; but I had to really work with the Smokenator to acheive good ribs - the first couple (or few) cooks with it went South due to me following the OEM instructions that simply didn't work -- the SNS worked exactly as described the way it was described right out of the box.
The only change I'll make the next time I do low and slow with the SNS is have more coals ready (and probably use lump in lieu of KBB) at about the 4.5 hour mark - that should solve my only (non) issue from this cook with it.
Final Takeaway:
So if I was David (@Pit Boss), I would be reaching out to Weber-Stephens, LLC if he hasn't already. This piece of hardware is durn near a MUST HAVE for any Weber kettle owner.
I would suggest they ditch the crappy OEM charcoal rails and holders and start furnishing a SNS with every new kettle. I mean, how cool would it be when you buy that new Kettle or Performer to have a SNS in the box?!?!?!? Granted a price adjustment would be required, but as a consumer I'd be more than happy to shell out a few more bucks for package deal. I can say this without even trying the "Sear" function with steaks, etc.
Damn fine product David - you should be proud! I just wish my experiences with the Smokenator didn't make me skeptical of the SNS as just another grilling novelty and I had bought one sooner. It does what the Smokenator says it will do for low and slow and it looks like it could replace the Vortex for searing -- anytime one new product can replace 2 existing ones you know you have a winner!
The only complaint I can find with the SNS is that when I went to the website given in the OEM literature, it wasn't working -- might have been operator error on my part. But the User Guide you furnish with the product is really all one needs. It is simple with graphics - and unlike the Smokenator -- the instructions actually work!
I can't wait to use the SNS again - I am thinking some steaks are in order to test the SNS's high heat reverse-searing!
I would advise anyone who has a kettle to break down and order a SNS - it can really help you make the most of your kettle!
I'll make it a bit more interesting by comparing my HEAVILY MODIFIED Smokenator using "hacks" (not the OEM instructions) vs the SNS right out of the box using OEM instructions.
First - here is my modified Smokenator and my brand new SNS - note the modified opening and deleted OEM water pan:
I am using the same size and weight baby backs I used the last time with the Smokenator: 2 - 3lb racks of very thick baby back ribs.
I prepared them the same way: dry brine over night then mustard slathering and adding rub just before cooking; I dry brine with Huskee's rib rub (old recipe) and use it as the final rub as well. The only difference is that I used lump coal on the last cook with the Smokenator.
And we're off!
Coals lit and loaded (with cherry and apple chunks), water pan filled and vents set exactly per OEM instructions:
It took appx. 25-30 mins for the cooker temp to reach 225.
I adjusted the vents per instructions and the cooker temp plateaued at 265-275.
Here we are after 3 hours:
And here is what we are looking like after 6 hours:
For this test I decided not to add any additional coals the the SNS just to see what I can expect from 1 full fire basket.
The heat source totally petered out after 6.5 hours.
Unfortunately the IT of the ribs was 158 and 166 respectively, so to finish them up they got wrapped and put in a convection oven.
Here is what they looked like just before I wrapped them and put them in the oven to finish up:
...and here they are coming out of the oven at desired temps (190-195) - and no, I didn't sauce these ribs:
And here is a nice picture showing rib thickness and smoke ring:
Now for the results & takeaways from this cook:
From a price point the SNS and Smokenator are about the same - maybe $15-$20 difference with the SNS being more expensive. The difference is you get what you pay for with the SNS - no question. I definitely have no buyer's remorse with the SNS like I did (do) with the Smokenator.
From a product quality standpoint the SNS wins hands-down. Nice weighty welded steel vs thin cheap punched metal of the Smokenator. The thicker steel of the SNS seems to hold temps much better.
The Smokenator took 7.25 hours to fully cook the same amount of ribs as the SNS, but that included adding new coals twice and re-filling the water pan (not the OEM pan, but a foil pan placed on top of the grate above the Smokenator and coals) twice.
I never added additional coal to the SNS, but got 6.5 hours of heat.
Each time I filled the coals up with the Smokenator I got significant cooker temp drops that took a while to recover, but every time I lifted the lid with the SNS the cooker temps rebounded like a champ right back up to 250-260.
Temps with the Smokenator (when running properly) were an average of about 240-260 with some peaks of 280 or so.
Temps with the SNS stayed in the 260-275 range for the entire cook with one spike up to 300 after stirring the coals.
As far as low maintenance - The SNS wins hands down. The larger coal box and the large water side pan made this a joy to cook with compared to the Smokenator - even with the "hacks" and modifications. I had to add new coals to the Smokenator about every 2-2.5 hours and the water about every 3 hours.
I would say the ribs from both cooks were about the same - virtually no difference in tenderness and moisture - both were excellent; but I had to really work with the Smokenator to acheive good ribs - the first couple (or few) cooks with it went South due to me following the OEM instructions that simply didn't work -- the SNS worked exactly as described the way it was described right out of the box.
The only change I'll make the next time I do low and slow with the SNS is have more coals ready (and probably use lump in lieu of KBB) at about the 4.5 hour mark - that should solve my only (non) issue from this cook with it.
Final Takeaway:
So if I was David (@Pit Boss), I would be reaching out to Weber-Stephens, LLC if he hasn't already. This piece of hardware is durn near a MUST HAVE for any Weber kettle owner.
I would suggest they ditch the crappy OEM charcoal rails and holders and start furnishing a SNS with every new kettle. I mean, how cool would it be when you buy that new Kettle or Performer to have a SNS in the box?!?!?!? Granted a price adjustment would be required, but as a consumer I'd be more than happy to shell out a few more bucks for package deal. I can say this without even trying the "Sear" function with steaks, etc.
Damn fine product David - you should be proud! I just wish my experiences with the Smokenator didn't make me skeptical of the SNS as just another grilling novelty and I had bought one sooner. It does what the Smokenator says it will do for low and slow and it looks like it could replace the Vortex for searing -- anytime one new product can replace 2 existing ones you know you have a winner!
The only complaint I can find with the SNS is that when I went to the website given in the OEM literature, it wasn't working -- might have been operator error on my part. But the User Guide you furnish with the product is really all one needs. It is simple with graphics - and unlike the Smokenator -- the instructions actually work!
I can't wait to use the SNS again - I am thinking some steaks are in order to test the SNS's high heat reverse-searing!
I would advise anyone who has a kettle to break down and order a SNS - it can really help you make the most of your kettle!
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