SNS Kettle long term care questions

[sjg1980]

I'm taking delivery of an SNS kettle today (black, no shelf), and currently will use that to retire my Weber 22 premium that has been modded with a botched sns shelf install, probe hole, smoke hole, botched lid hinge install, and damage to the legs. I should have taken better care of my weber, but i really didn't know what the hell i was doing, Knowing what I know now, I should have bought the SNS 22. And with the 20% off labor day sale, i just up and pulled the trigger.

I don't think i need the side shelf when I have a side table right next to my grill.

I've read on various places (reddit and the like) that the build quality of a grill from SNS is a little worse than weber. Has anyone here found that to be true? Also, for those of you that have had the SNS kettle for a few years, how has it held up? Any problems with rust or the like? Porcelain chipping? Any good cleaning tips? I usually just hose off my weber with dish soap and dry it off with a rag. I use a stainless steel scrubber on the spin grate.

My better half isn't thrilled i bought another grill after a few years, but she absolutely adores the quality of the food I grill (with a little help from my fireboard and thermopen). I'm on turkey duty forever!

I can't wait to cook burgers, hot dogs, and new york strips this long labor day weekend!

[Panhead John]

As mentioned in a previous thread, I’ve owned both Weber and SNS kettle grills. Without doing any measuring of thicknesses or weights, I can tell no difference in the build quality between the two. If anything, the SNS seems to be a little sturdier, but that is probably due to the SNS having 4 legs and the Weber’s having 3 legs. My kettles have always been garage kept and not exposed to the rain, but I haven’t experienced any rust issues with either brand. The only parts which I’ve heard of that could have a problem with rust are the ash sweepers and associated small parts. This is usually caused by long term exposure to the elements and not cleaning ash from the bowl frequently enough. I’ve not personally had that problem with either brand though.

I’ve not had any porcelain chipping issues with either brand, although that could happen due to dropping the lid on a hard surface or something of the like. To me that’s not a mfgr. defect but user error. Your cleaning routine sounds fine. Some of us like to use Dawn Power Wash for the exterior parts, it works great! I use it occasionally for my side shelf followed by wiping with a few paper towels. If your new SNS will be outside you might want to invest in a cover for it. One little tip I’ve found to be useful is I leave my vents wide open when not in use, it helps having a little air flow inside. If you don’t have a Vortex for the kettle, check into getting one. You don’t need the name brand one either, the knockoffs are cheaper and work just as well. Looking forward to some cooking pics with your new SNS!

[sjg1980]

As mentioned in a previous thread, I’ve owned both Weber and SNS kettle grills. Without doing any measuring of thicknesses or weights, I can tell no difference in the build quality between the two. If anything, the SNS seems to be a little sturdier, but that is probably due to the SNS having 4 legs and the Weber’s having 3 legs. My kettles have always been garage kept and not exposed to the rain, but I haven’t experienced any rust issues with either brand. The only parts which I’ve heard of that could have a problem with rust are the ash sweepers and associated small parts. This is usually caused by long term exposure to the elements and not cleaning ash from the bowl frequently enough. I’ve not personally had that problem with either brand though.

I’ve not had any porcelain chipping issues with either brand, although that could happen due to dropping the lid on a hard surface or something of the like. To me that’s not a mfgr. defect but user error. Your cleaning routine sounds fine. Some of us like to use Dawn Power Wash for the exterior parts, it works great! I use it occasionally for my side shelf followed by wiping with a few paper towels. If your new SNS will be outside you might want to invest in a cover for it. One little tip I’ve found to be useful is I leave my vents wide open when not in use, it helps having a little air flow inside. If you don’t have a Vortex for the kettle, check into getting one. You don’t need the name brand one either, the knockoffs are cheaper and work just as well. Looking forward to some cooking pics with your new SNS!

yeah, I’ll just cover this thing religiously. I have a cover from my Weber I didn’t use frequently. I keep this grill in my backyard. I used to keep it in my driveway, away from my son when he was little (like two or three). Now that he’s five I can keep it in my backyard.

I’ll upload some pix of this weekends cooks.

[Donw]

I can only report on my experience with my SnS kettle. About 4 years now, cooked on often, sits outside in all weather covered by their cover, and I live by the ocean surrounded on three sides by saltwater bays. No signs of any rust, no issues with the porcelain. Only issue I had was a bad weld on the original grate. They replaced it under warranty. I still use the old grate when using a vortex. And, whichever you choose, buy a vortex if you like cooking chicken.

[radiodome21]

I’m hear O’Hare and only have the SNS. I bought it about 4 years ago. I don’t use it enough TBH.

That being said it’s held up well so far. I lost one of the bolts that secures the side table but the table still does the job. I like Ronkeep lighter things on it like my thermapen or tongs. The only rust is on the bottom rack, but I don’t care about that since I don’t put anything on it. The cover tends to blow off when it’s really windy because that hasn’t held up as well over the years.

The ash collection can, which I’ve never liked is the only Achilles heel on the grill. It requires two hands to use and every time I empty it there’s ash all over the ground. I think it’s on the flimsy side but it’s not like I’m cooking on carpet. I don’t clean the inside too often but when I have it works out fine.

I love the grill actually. In fact I bought the travel kettle a few years ago for a trip we took and leave it at the lake house to use when I want to cook over coals. I was torn between that at a Weber and honestly I’ve never looked back. When I do use it it’s awesome and the smoke hole and probe hole are great. Plus it doesn’t really leak smoke. I’ve done everything but brisket on it and it always turns out great.

[sjg1980]

I just finished assembling the thing. Whew! That was a lot of work. It’s taller, sturdier, and thank god for the lid bail. First cook is tonight, burgers. I’ll install my fireboard from my old Weber later and eventually cook some stuff low and slow next weekend

[Donw]

Congratulations on a great new cooker

[Panhead John]

Congrats on the new cooker! 👍 Don’t forget the burn in, an hour or 2 should be good.

[Michael_in_TX]

That is a useful shot of them side-by-side.

[sjg1980]

Panhead John oh yes I did a burn in with a full chimney without the SNS insert for a bit