Hi all. I’ve decided to buy a kettle. Was leaning towards the Summit but I’m not ready to throw in the towel on my 18 WSM. And I have a pellet smoker too. I’m hosting a party in a few weeks and will be smoking 12 racks of ribs. I’ve been eyeing a kettle for a while. I have a family of 4 and we use a genesis during the week or pellet smoker. I also have a Ooni Karo, which was another reason I passed on the summit. So I’ve narrowed it down to these two. I don’t want a performer because I don’t want a table. Price isn’t a consideration either since they’d be a wash for me (I have Amazon credit which is where I’d buy the 26 from). So I’d figure I’d start here.
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So what are you looking to accomplish that the WSM 18 can’t do now? -
If you really want a kettle, go for the 26".
If you want something that cooks a bunch of ribs........... get a PBC or that other thing.
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I use the WSM and the pellet to smoke. The WSM is used for longer cooks since it’s too much work to use for anything short. I’d like a kettle to grill and smoke too, but smoking is not necessarily the main feature I’m looking for. I’d like a kettle for steaks, burgers and chicken which now gets used by the pellet smoker and the gas. Honestly this is more for weekend use since I’m now back in my office 3 days week so the genesis gets used more during the week since it’s fast to get going and my wife likes it too.Comment
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radiodome21 Unless you need the 26†because of the larger cooking area, I’d recommend the SNS. I’ve got both a Weber 22†Master Touch and the SNS 22†kettle. I definitely like my SNS better.Comment
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Gents. Thanks. I just bout the SNS kettle deluxe package.Comment
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I will suggest the pellet and the gas seem somewhat duplicate now with the SNS. But maybe each has a niche for you?Comment
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I'm late to the party, but if price wasn't a consideration, the E6 is above and beyond a Weber 22 or 26 and the SNS kettle.Comment
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Too late, but I would also have gone with the SNS. Great purchase!Comment
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I just got the SNS Deluxe myself a few weeks ago after making a very similar assessment as yourself. I also have a gas grill and a vertical pellet smoker, so for me it was about adding the ability to cook with charcoal + wood chunks. I've cooked on it just twice thus far but like it a lot. Have fun!Comment
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I thought I'd hijack this topic for my own nefarious purposes. I'm also considering a kettle with an SNS insert and Vortex. I'm gonna get the entire package so I'll be set. I want it to be able to cook with charcoal again, add in some wood chucks for a more pronounced smoke profile, sear with it so I don't have to fire up the gasser after a cook/smoke on it, etc.
It sounds as if most prefer the SNS kettle Deluxe package over the Weber 22 with the SNS insert purchased separately. That's what I'm thinking right now but this purchase is over a week away so I can be convinced otherwise. What say you?Comment
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I have a weber performer with a SNS palatium package as well as the Vortex, both of course added separately. The SNS is super for 2 zone setup. The SNS pieces are high grade stainless steel. They get dark and unattractive but they do not rust! The Vortex is not expensive and cooks chicken at extreme temp in very short order crisps the skin like nobody's business and leaves the chicken still juicy. I do not regret the route I took on this.
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I ended up with the SNS. Little frustrating putting it together but I love it. For whatever reason I thought that I was going to get their grayish green color but the kettle is black. And I love the look of it. I’ve only done a couple have chickens and some wings on it and so far I have been very pleased with it. Actually, I did some chicken breast on it last night and they turned out fantastic. I’m going to do ribs this weekend on it as well. Haven’t bought a vortex yet but am thinking about it. The four legs is nice. When I did my wings I had to roll the grill onto the grass so it wasn’t in the way.
In the end I’m glad I went with the SNS for a lot of reasons but another added bonus is that the smaller footprint makes it easier for me to squeeze it in between my Silverbac and my outdoor kitchen counter. I don’t know if the 26 footprint would fit as perfectly as the SNS and as my wife wasn’t a big fan of me buying this in the first place she can attest to it’s good that it’s out of the way.
Last edited by radiodome21; September 20, 2022, 07:01 AM.Comment
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WayneT Here’s a great comparison review from Max Good where he highlights all the differences between the SNS Kettle and the comparable Weber, comparable in features and price. If you haven’t read this yet, it’s recommended reading. I believe you already know which one I recommend.
Also Max, not a big deal, but the picture in the review still shows the gray colored SNS, which they no longer make. They’re all black now. The pricing might need to be updated as well. Thanks!
https://amazingribs.com/ratings-revi...-kettle-grill/Last edited by Panhead John; September 20, 2022, 08:04 AM.Comment
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WayneT I cannot speak to the SNS kettle, as I have a Weber Performer Deluxe, which I love. But I love my SNS Kamado even more, and use it more often than the Performer these days.
The design features of the SNS kettle have smoking in mind, with the probe port and smoke hole. I just run my probe wires under the edge of my Weber kettle. Years ago I used to drop them through the top vent, but got lazy and realized they didn't disrupt the seal of the lid enough to matter going under the edge.
The only downsides I can think of with the SNS kettle compared to the Weber are:
1. Shorter ash sweeps require you to assist things by pushing/brushing ashes down into the bottom of the kettle, compared to the sweeps on the Weber. That said, I still end up doing that on my Weber after using the SNS, as it seems to dump a good bit of ashes above the area where the sweeps run. When using the Vortex I don't need to as the Vortex drops all the ashes in the center.
2. SNS kettle can not use the Weber or Onlyfire or other 3rd party rotisserie options, and possibly the 3rd party pizza oven accessories, due to a slight difference in diameter of the lip of the body and lid of the grill. You have to use the SNS rotisserie as others will not fit. If you don't picture a rotisserie or pizza oven option, or plan to get the SNS rotisserie or none at all, then this won't matter.
I think the build quality of the SNS kettle is probably better than on the newest generation of Weber kettles and to me its a better deal if you need the SNS bundled. I've got both the original and deluxe SNS inserts, and think the original open body one with fixed water reservoir is just fine.
Last edited by jfmorris; September 20, 2022, 09:06 AM.Comment
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I too get a little smoke leak around the lid but not a big deal. I got my SnS before I bought the Weber. I do use the Cajun Bandit roti and yes it will not fit the SnS kettle. I got mine because I was planning on a 22" WSM and the CB roti would fit it but I bought a OJ Bronco instead. I will upgrade my kettle grate with the SS Easy Spin grate from SnS. I am impressed with the quality from SnS. My son has the grill grate,SnS,DnG and elevated rack and all of great quality to go with his Performer. -
Purc yes I have the Easyspin grate, SNS and DNG for my Performer as well. The stainless DNG is nice as a drip pan, and no worries with rust, etc. But if I were buying one today, I think I would get the cast iron one, as I think it will serve better if you want to actually use it as a griddle, versus a drip pan. I have two DNG, and one is warped a little from getting it a little too hot as a griddle. And I truly think well seasoned cast iron would clean easier than stainless steel.Last edited by jfmorris; September 21, 2022, 07:38 AM.
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Great build quality. Especially love the folding table. It blows away my expensive Grilla I bought, which still isn’t level with the front of the grill. It’s definitely come in handy. I also bought the SNS SS Grill Pan and grates and that’s been awesome too. Picked up their cherry picker too because why not. So far I’ve been Very happy with this purchase.
I looked at the performer but I didn’t have anywhere to put it and my eyes were already set in the SNS.
I had my son turn on my pellet grill last night and set the temp for me. When I told him he’s officially started his first grill he looked at me dumbfounded. This weekend I might have him try to use some charcoal with me when we do the ribs.Comment
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