Got My New SnS Deluxe Today!

[GolfGeezer]

I ordered last weekend. SnS had a $50 off discount going for the Deluxe "package", so went that route, plus cover and elevated grate (in case I want/need more space). I also hit up Ace Hardware for some B&B briquettes, and Walmart for Cowboy Competition briquettes (no Kingsford Pro at either place).

I dreaded what condition it would arrive here in California from Concord, NC coming via Fedex. I am happy to report even though the outer, large box everything was in came with some definite "handled by un-loving hands" damage, the inner boxes and the grill itself were just fine!

I just finished trying to assemble it. I said "trying" because I've run into an issue with the lid bale holding assemble. In particular, the threaded ends of the part that connects to the kettle on the left side, into which the kettle lid is placed and holds it vertically on the left side of the kettle, would not allow the required nuts to be threaded onto it. The nuts are clearly labeled, and are used in other parts of the assembly, but appear to have a wider or larger thread than the wire does. meaning, the nuts do not thread on, they sort of slide on without being tight. I have emailed SnS, but given the timing (weekend), I do not expect a reply until Monday. So, I'll take a chance that I can find a match at Loews tomorrow. Everything assembled just fine. I'm glad no one was filming my efforts as I had to redo just about everything as I went - handles upside down, washers on the wrong side of the bolts and nuts, inserting stuff into the wrong holes. Thank god SnS has good, clean directions and very clear labeling of everything!

Otherwise, hopefully I'll get to give the grill a burn-in run and maybe some steaks next week. Too much rain headed here for the weekend to count on being able to do it sooner.

[Panhead John]

You know we’ll need some pics, otherwise, how do we know you’re telling the truth?……

[RichieB]

Tough audience.

[Panhead John]

GG, I figured that you were waiting to get it completed first…😉 Don’t feel bad, I put my handle on backwards too on my first one, with the SNS logo facing away from me, when the lid is put on the kettle. It was a pain trying to put on the handle by myself, so I just left it that way…..😂

[ecowper]

Pictures!!!!

[Donw]

Congratulations on a great choice. I never took the versatility of kettles seriously until just a year or so ago after seeing all the great food coming off of them. Now my newish SnS kettle is the cooker that gets the most workout on an almost daily schedule.

[GolfGeezer]

For the paparazzi:

[Panhead John]

She’s beautiful! Congratulations on the new addition!

[hoovarmin]

Love it! Enjoy your new baby!

[ecowper]

Purty

[RonB]

Congrats. I'm sure you will work it out - eventually.

[captainlee]

Since you got the wrong hardware I'm sure it's happening to lots of others too.Congratulations on the new grill, Lowes will have what you need to get going.

[GolfGeezer]

Thanks. I’m not too bummed about it. Either Loews will have something or SnS will get new parts to me. The issue doesn’t prevent use, so that’s the glass half full part.

[RichieB]

congrats let's make sure there are cook pictures.

[DaveD]

Nice!! Those are great cookers.

[STEbbq]

Awesome! Definitely the best kettle on the market!

[Purc]

Congrats on the SnS, a great kettle for sure. I love the quality of all my SnS products.

[Sid P]

Congrats, great choice!

[GolfGeezer]

Thanks folks! Now on to the re-learning curve of using charcoal, or better said, re-training since when I last used charcoal, the only method I knew was direct grilling. Let see, which charcoal to use? B&B, Cowboy, KBB, KBB Pro, Kirkland, Easy Grill, .... and then there is lump!! Oh, dear, the pea brain is gonna break (Again)!

[GolfGeezer]

Panhead John. Nope, I have a rotisserie for my gasser - use it maybe 1-2 times a year. I’ve gotten lazy, I hate hassling with getting the chicken on and off the spit. Much easier to cut a whole chicken in half and grill indirect. On another note, I’m pretty sure the threads on that bale wire are stripped. Mailed SnS. We’ll see what they say.

[Panhead John]

They’ll take care of you I’m sure. They have great customer service. Mention my name and they’ll probably overnight it……🙄 The lid sitting in the cradle also serves as a windbreaker for me when lighting the chimney.

[yakima]

I can't picture how the lid, in any position, can break @Panhead John's wind.

[barelfly]

Congrats on the grill! Bummer about the rain this weekend pushing the cook out but enjoy the steaks! What kind? Ribeye, strip? Big ol tomahawk?

have fun with that cooker!

[GolfGeezer]

A ribeye or New York Strip for me and a filet for Sydney. Our local Pavilions now carries a whole bunch of Snake River Farms products, plus they have a large, glass enclosed aging display where you can select what level (number of days) of aged steak/roast you want, cut to order. I haven't gone that route yet, but it sure looks enticing.

[barelfly]

Sounds like a great meal GolfGeezer! And love the SRF steak selections! I was in Vegas this past week and took my team to dinner at Don’s Prime - a few ordered the SRF Wagyu strip and it was amazing!

[GolfGeezer]

UPDATE: SnS is coming through and sending me a new part ASAP. As I figured, they do not monitor their email on the weekends, so I am pleased that they jumped on this first thing this morning. Rock n Roll!

[scottingaround]

Howdy GolfGeezer, like you I had issue with the lid bale threaded ends. I happened to have a nut that fit so still able to use it right away, but not before stripping the nut that came with the SnS. I also had a hub cap that broke during assembly, which perplexed me. Seems to be fairly thick and pliable plastic, not sure what happened. And, as long as we're speaking the truth, I did have to "redo" a few steps as well. After the first cook, I realized how much I missed the flavor of wood/charcoal sear on a steak. What a difference. Enjoy.

[GolfGeezer]

Panhead John Hah-hah. That was one of my other redo moments. My mistake was at first was putting that flat washer that goes underneath on the inside of the kettle body instead of beneath the kettle body. After putting it under and threading the rod through, the sweep was firmly snugged to the bottom.

[Panhead John]

I think the sweeper blades gives everyone a hard time. If I’m not mistaken ecowper had a problem too?

[ecowper]

Panhead John putting those sweeper blades was definitely the hardest part. Took me a "redo" and quite a bit of time to get it right.