26'' Weber Kettle one touch vs. 22.5'' Weber Original.

[mhkesler84]

Looking for some input here.

I'm looking to upgrade my old 22.5 Kettle, and I'm kinda running into a dilemma. I want to upgrade to 26'' kettle, but I really don't like the ash catching system. I prefer the original setup. I cannot find a 26'' with the original ash catching system. So my question for you guys is, should I just suck it up and buy the 26'' with the new ash catching system and deal with it? Is it really a big difference? I have a Sn'S and would love to have the extra room of 26'' but also the 26'' is about $100 more than a brand new 22.5'' Original. Any feedback is much appreciated.........and Go Panthers!!!

[Jerod Broussard]

26........send me one while you at it, make that extra $100 you mentioned nothing by that point.

[fuzzydaddy]

I have both a 22" and a 26", both with the 1-touch cleaning system. I've never had a Weber before these, so nothing to compare to, but ash sweeping in the wind and having all the ashes contained in the "bucket" on windy days has worked well for me...love it. The 26" is a bit pricey, but if you typically cook large cooks (for me I load it up with chicken breasts, pork chops, etc.) it's great to have. Of course you can just cook multiple cooks on the 22". I've yet to load up the 26" with 5 or 6 butts but I bet it would hold them, and of course several racks of ribs.

[David Parrish]

I love the 26" and think you'll find the ash catching system works really well. Go Panthers!

[Breadhead]

I just recently bought the 26" Weber Kettle & SnS. I find the 1 touch ash bucket very easy to remove and replace. The extra cooking space is worth the $150 in my opinion. I've usually regretted it when I've bought the small version of things for BBQ.

Go Cardinals👍😆.

[Jon Solberg]

If you want the 26 I say go for it. I think that diff in price is more like 150.00 right.

299.00 for a 26" 26 is 508 sq in

149.00 for a 22" OTG (99.00 for a original) 22 is 363 sq in


Price wise a 26 makes no sense but the cool factor is really high. Like everyone has said the ash system is sweet.

[Breadhead]

Yes you're right the price difference is $150.

[jgg85234]

Hey David Parrish

You seem to have misspelled Cardinals

[Breadhead]

I noticed that too.😎

[Huskee]

Lol. I'm not into sports but that's still funny!

[Craigar]

If you want the 26 I say go for it. I think that diff in price is more like 150.00 right.

299.00 for a 26" 26 is 508 sq in

149.00 for a 22" OTG (99.00 for a original) 22 is 363 sq in


Price wise a 26 makes no sense but the cool factor is really high. Like everyone has said the ash system is sweet.

One other thing about the cool factor, the 26 has a SS food grate as opposed to chromed steel like the 22.

[Jon Solberg]

Thats is a great point!

[JeffJ]

I have a 22 Performer and have been lusting over the 26 for over a year. It's on my birthday wish list and it's at the top of the list. I love the ash catching system on the Performer. It's big enough that it can go three full cooks before needing to be emptied. My advice is get the 26. I sometimes find the 22 to be tight for a weeknight dinner for 4.

[fuzzydaddy]

Weber really needs to make the 26 in this color!

[Jon Solberg]

Weber has been playing in colors for a long time. Its not a new thing. I think they dabble in it to keep interest up. I know when I see a vintage yellow or an old grey I get excited like I just got a glimpse of a some rare bird.

This pic from tvwbb

[JeffJ]

We got my mother-in-law a kettle for Mother's Day last year. The only color the local store had was hunter green. It looks really sharp. I like it better than the black kettle I have with the Performer.

Note: She has yet to cook on it and probably never will. She likes her gas grills (she has a 3-burner Weber Genesis in the garage and a Weber Q on the deck). We got it so that I can cook her favorite foods on it when we are over. Every Mother's Day I make pizzas and as of last year I was able to bring over my kettle pizza accessory and cook on it. One of her all-time favorites is ribs so for her birthday last year I brought over the Smokenator (from now on I'll bring the SnS, now that I have one). On Thanksgiving I cooked a bird and on New Years I cooked up filet mignon on it.

[fuzzydaddy]

Good move JeffJ. Family + food = can't beat it!

[mhkesler84]

Thanks to everyone for the feedback. Looks like I'll be getting that 26'' soon!!!

[Breadhead]

Good move mhkesler84 ...

Go big or go home!🤗

[fuzzydaddy]

You'll love the 26".