Drip 'N Divide

[jfmorris]

Has anyone else seen this new gizmo that was in my inbox today from SNS Grills? The Drip 'N Divide?

https://snsgrills.com/products/drip-n-divide

I guess I don't quite get it. They detached the water reservoir part of a SNS and made a standalone accessory out of it, along with the Drip 'N Griddle? This obviously makes no sense for someone who already has 2 Slow 'N Sear inserts and 2 Drip 'N Griddle's. But I guess I am wondering why someone would want the standalone water resevoir rather than the SNS?

Thoughts?

On another note, I recently saw where Weber is selling their own version of a plancha, in the form of a 2 handled porcelain coated griddle insert for 22" kettles. It sure seems like Weber is trying to gobble up and cannibalize the kettle accessory market recently, with that and several other kettle accessories over the past year. I sure hope it doesn't hurt SNSGrills and other accessory makers too badly.

[Mosca]

I got the SNS ad, too. I thought the Slow and Sear Weber insert served the purpose of isolating the coal bank from the shell of the Kettle by adding an extra layer of stainless. Is the Drip & Divide an S&S Kettle accessory only?

I have a plancha for my Weber Kettle, from a 3rd party manufacturer. I wrote up a review, a couple maybe 3 years ago. It’s okay. It solves a couple shortcomings of the S&S, reduced surface area and uneven heat distribution, but creates a couple more: limited charcoal capacity and difficult charcoal replenishment. The plancha works best for ribs, where cooks are 6 hours or less.

[jfmorris]

Mosca looks like the Drip 'N Divide is just combining two accessories - the Drip 'N Griddle, and the new "Water Wall". Here is a link to the Water Wall:

https://snsgrills.com/products/water-wall-moveable-grill-water-pan-reservoir

Looks like they sell versions of it for 18", 22" and 26" kettles, and that it is for Weber/SNS or any other brand with that same charcoal to cooking grate height.

I am guessing it is for folks who don't mind spending $45 on a kettle accessory that may help with banking the coals to the side, but don't want to spend $80 on a full fledged SNS Original. Which is up. I spent $59 last year on a SNS Original for my son, for Christmas - they might have been with a Black Friday discount/sale.

You are right that one advantage of the SNS is to prevent banking hot coals against the side wall of the kettle. I think that has to extend the life of your cooker.

[DaveD]

Had the same reaction as you Jim, I don't see the purpose of this thing. If you're going to spend at that price point, just get the full up SnS insert combo and call it a day. And for me personally, I have little use for the drip pan, there's virtually nothing I cook on the kettle for which I'd want to capture the juices in some way other than in the bottom of the foil boats I use on most cuts anymore...

[jfmorris]

I use the drip pan to improve airflow to the SNS, and to keep gunk out of the bottom of the grill. I don't catch the juices for any usage like gravy or such. Especially on my kamado, I prefer keeping the grease out of the bottom.

[DaveD]

jfmorris Yup, I just use HD foil for that, dispense a big long piece and fold in half for double thickness. I end up covering most of the fuel grate, particularly to keep the that gunk out. Learned the hard way by forgetting a couple times...!

[GolfGeezer]

The only thing I can think of is that this setup gives you more space for charcoal while still having moisture/water benefit of the insert.