Should I buy a Slow N Sear at 30% off?

[IdahoJim]

Slow N Sears are 30% off at the moment. I assume it is for Black Friday and will end soon. That makes the regular Slow N Sear $55.99, and the Deluxe is $80.50. I just don't know if I would use it. For "slow" we generally use our Memphis pellet grill. If I want to go slow on the kettle I'd probably do a snake. For the "sear" part, I've got a Vortex. I also have some fire bricks.

I already have a Slow N Sear XL in my 26 inch kettle and didn't care for it for smoking. The snake method worked better for me. It does work pretty good for dual zone cooking and searing, but it sure uses a lot of charcoal. I will probably get rid of the 26er in the spring and settle in on the 22 inch Master Touch and the pellet grill.

So, with the Vortex and the fire bricks, is the Slow N Sear worth having just for high temp cooking? Usually it's searing a couple of steaks or a tri-tip. Maybe burgers, brats, wings etc. I don't want to deal with storing more stuff that I don't use.

[STEbbq]

It doesn’t seem that valuable to you given your comments so I’d pass.

[LA Pork Butt]

I am a fan of the snake method on the kettle. If you are like me the temptation to buy is more in the fact that is a bargain and you have fear of missing out. Resist FOMO in this season of sales.

[J-Melt]

I agree with the other commenters. It sounds like you are better without.

[JeffJ]

I love the SNS but given all of your other equipment you should be fine without. Surprised you haven’t had low/slow success in your 26. I use the 22” SnS in my 26 and it rocks as a dual zone and a smoker.

[Jfrosty27]

I have both the Vortex and the SnS for my kettle. Never use the SnS. I do all my slow cooks on my Recteq pellet cooker.

[JeffJ]

In addition to my 26 kettle I have a PBC, WSM and a stick burner. I still do use the kettle for smoking sometimes. It’s the easiest to set up and it’s surprisingly miserly with charcoal consumption. And the end results are always good.

[klflowers]

If I waited to need stuff, I wouldn't have 6 grills and smokers. And a propane stove. So I am not the guy to ask. Cause my answer is get it. I haven't even fired up my weber in a couple of years lol

[smokenoob]

you sir are an enabler…..wish you lived closer to me 😁

[JCBBQ]

😂😂😂

[Finster]

I'd pass under your circumstances...
I personally find the inverted vortex more useful for searing than the SnS..

[Huskee]

I firmly believe, from helping create and test it, that you get more longevity with the SnS vs the snake in a kettle w/o the SnS, since it creates an airspace, an insulation layer if you will, between the coals and the outside kettle wall, and adjustable at that. Especially helpful in cold weather. But, do you need it? No.

[jfmorris]

I second this. I started with the snake - used it for years. SNS for me is much better.

[radiodome21]

I have both a vortex and the SNS. And a pellet grill and a WSM. I say get it. I’ve never done the snake method and don’t plan on it either. Looks too time consuming. I use my SNS a lot, including tonight.

[jfmorris]

If you hated the SNS in a 26”, not sure why you think you will like it better in the 22”. Although having used the snake for years before getting a SNS, I don’t agree that it is better.

My issues with the snake were doing large cuts of meat or several racks of ribs. Anything long would hang out over the coals, and eventually the burning fuse would be under the meat and overcook the ends, unless I rotated the grate. For me, unless I was smoking just 1 Boston butt, the snake would be under the meat at some point. Also, I get similar burn times on a load of charcoal to what I got with an almost full circle 2x2 snake in the 22”. I recall many long cooks where I had to add fuel to the end of a burning snake.

Would I use the snake again? Sure - if I didn’t have a SNS available and was smoking on someone else’s kettle. I feel the SNS maximizes my smoking capability on a kettle.

Bit - it sounds like you rarely smoke on the kettle. So maybe it’s not for you.

For 2 zone cooks I feel it uses less charcoal, as it’s better contained and potentially closer to the grate than if I just dump the coals on the charcoal grate and bank against the side. The vortex can do that too, but gives you a much smaller searing space.

The difference in size of a 22 versus 26 in SNS does amount to a lot of charcoal, so you may like it better there.

I am pondering buying one for my son for Christmas. He is borrowing mine to do a 15 pound turkey on Sunday for his in-laws on his 22” kettle.

[Purc]

I have both and use both for different cooks and meats in my Kettle. I have never used the snake and I don't need to. Since you didn't like the SnS in the 26" and you don't like or use it, I would pass on it. I use mine for indirect cooks, reverse sears, my rotisserie, smoking etc. and love it. I use my Vortex for chicken wings, thighs, searing steaks. burgers/hot dogs. etc. Once you sell the 26" and after using the 22", if you want a SnS then wait for another sale.

[Uncle Bob]

For the sake of options and to maybe expand your pondering/imagination I'll toss out something different, especially since your potential plan is to "downsize".

The SNS is a functional tool as far as it goes. The one thing often not addressed is that for indirect cooking/smoking, it eats about a third of the grate space. I suspect that most don't address that because they are using it for smaller (relatively) cooks. Although, Jim did comment above to some degree. Given the popularity of Weber kettles there are other options that can allow your preferred snake method, and give you full use of the grate surface, or to build smoke/indirect/sear configurations without a bunch of mumbo jumbo. This one for instance: Amazon.com : onlyfire Barbecue Cooking Grate System Grilling Accessory for Weber 22" Kettle Grill and Other Similar Size Kettle Grills : Patio, Lawn & Garden

[Purc]

I don't need this attachment, but it does look pretty cool. I may need another kettle for all the accessories that are now available.

[jfmorris]

The snake doesn’t actually give you access to the full grate either - and cuts the usable width. That 2/3 usable grate with the SNS installed is the full 22” width. I can fit two racks of ribs flat on the grate, 4 using the SNS elevated grate, and 5 using a Weber rib rack.

[FireMan]

Hey, this is Amazing Wibs fer cryin out loud, get it. It’s a heck of a deal & we are always in favor of more stuff!

[hoovarmin]

Of course you should 😈