I have just jumped back into charcoal with a Weber Performer 22", with the hope of figuring out brisket, ribs, pork shoulder etc. With all the commentary on the SnS, does anyone have any experience with the G'rillaQue from changonbbq.com? Seems to me having the ability to move the device would have some advantages. Thanks.
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Welcome cdnokie -
I love my SnS, I can tell you that! My concern anout the G'rillacue would be having the coals banked directly against the side of the kettle for a long time. I thought I read somewhere that that was bad, but I could be wrong. Perhaps the heat loss through the wall of the kettle is greater? But the wall of the SnS keeps that from happening.
I don't think you could go wrong with either choice. Now that you brought it to my attention, I may have to test it out! 😎Comment
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Welcome to the wisdom of the Pit!Comment
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cdnokie, Welcome to The Pit! I have been a Weber Kettle Owner for 40-45 Yrs! I don't know anything about the G'rillacue, Pos or Neg? I do have a S 'n S in my older Weber Performer with a 20 Ga SS baffle over the coal grate from the S 'n S Reservoir to the sides of the Kettle opposite! I also have a BBQGuru DigiQ-2 Temp Control on this Grill and do most of My Smoking on it! Eat Well and Prosper! From Fargo ND, DanComment
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@cdnokieIn, Welcome to the Pit!
In my opinion you can't move G'rillaQue much as the kettle gets smaller the closer to the wall you get and The length of it is not adjustable so it can only be moved in the middle area(Chord length of a circle, http://www.mathopenref.com/chord.html ).
What holds the G'rillaQue from falling over when full of water? It looks like you have to support it with a pan or something if moved away from the walls till the top rack is put over it to hold it.
The SnS keeps the charcoal away from the kettle wall so as to give a thermal break and allow air to pass around it for better flow and heat retention. The charcoal is held tighter together in the basket area to help for the low and slow fuse where it ignites un-burnt charcoal as it burns along. Also 18 gauge (.049) used for the G'rillaQue is thinner than 16 gauge (.065) used for the SnS. You could put charcoal on either side of the SnS to have a larger sear area. There is my 2 cents I hope this helps and as a disclaimer I have no affiliation with abcbarbecue but do have a SnS and do not have or used the G'rillaQue .Last edited by Powersmoke_80; May 30, 2016, 07:54 AM.Comment
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I have used the G'rillaQue for about 6 months. It has worked extremely well during that period, doing exactly what it claims to do. As for balance, the base of the G'rillaQue has tabs that rest on the charcoal grate so there is no concern there, it is rock solid. I mostly use a minion method much like the SNS, lighting 10-12 coals and adding a variable amount of coals depending on what I am cooking. I have had no problems with hot coals touching the exterior of the kettle, but if that is a concern to you, then you could use one of the Weber charcoal baskets in combination with it. I like the ability to increase or decrease my hot coal area and indirect cool zone. The product is well made, works as advertised and well priced, It sells now for under $60. It Has a lifetime warranty and I believe they offer an additional discount to teachers, military, police etc. There are a bunch of You Tube videos showing its use by the owner which are very informative. I am pleased with mine and recommend it. Is it better than a SNS? I am not sure, it is a different approach with a little more flexibility, to the same result. I also have no affiliation to changonbbq, just a satisfied customer.Comment
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I never heard of it but I checked it out. Looks very similar to the see SnS. Great web site too. I like the flexibility to adjust the size of the zonesComment
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I don't know about the G'rilla Que, those welds look shotty. Especially when stacked next to the SNS. It looks cheap, to be honest.Comment
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It looks like it would work pretty well. Often there are many solutions to a common issue. Let the marketplace choose, both can thrive.Comment
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I just received one in the mail. It's well built, plenty well enough for grilling and smoking with charcoal for years and years. To Peter O's point regarding the tabs or "feet" on the bottom of the G'rilla Que, the one I received has been updated from the earlier models it appears (the pics are different on the instructions even) as there are now tabs on top of it that rise just a hair above the cooking grate for additional stability. I bought it because of the price and the flexibility to move it around the kettle for various purpose and as a replacement for my smokenator which has served me well over the years. Will probably do my first cook with it tomorrow and I'll give my feedback.Comment
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I've used the G'rilla Que several times now.....works quite well...I use it often just for 2 zone cooking--let's me stack the coals to the grid level easily for super hot searing. Works quite well for low and slow though you really have to work your vents to keep the temps down--at least I do, in comparison to the Smokenator which surrounds the hot coals on all sides. I like that I can expand zones unlike the Slow N Sear. That said, I'm looking at getting a 26.75" kettle and for that, I'm almost certain to pick up the Slow N Sear that's meant for it. Let's be honest, they both do the same thing, they're both built well--you can't really go wrong.Comment
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I switched from a kettle to a COS LONG before the SnS came and banked coals up against the side of the kettle without a problem. That said, I would think that keeping them from direct contact is an advantage.
The simple truth is this: if you know how to manage your fire (coals) it really doesn't matter how you do it.Comment
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The SnS is superior in a couple ways. With the SnS, the charcoal basket and kettle walls combine to create an air buffer between charcoal and outside world--think double pane window on a cold winter night, or an insulated coffee mug-- that air/gas space insulates the heat from the coals from bleeding into the outside environment. Instead, the majority is drawn upward and over across the food up the vent. Plus much heavier gauge steel, and shape of charcoal basket affords consistent burn/temps as coals burn and get smaller. The shape of the water reservoir affords consistent steam... Also the SnS will slide around just fine if you want a different sized sear zone... just put the coals on the indirect side and it acts just like the G'rillaque.
The SnS was designed from the ground up by a couple smart guys who know BBQ, not "borrowed" from an existing device.
It's interesting how the SnS was out for a few months and then here shows up the G'rillaque....Comment
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