Should I jump on a Weber 26” kettle now or get a Hasty Bake (or something else) later?

[Grillin Dad]

Looking for both grill and marital advice. I currently have a Weber Performer (22” kettle with cart) that I love. I’ve also got the SNS, vortex, and rotisserie to go with it. Absolutely love the setup, I don’t feel that there is anything this combination can’t do. The only issue is size. We’re a family of 6 (4 kiddos all in grade school) with in-laws in town and friends who “just happen” to show up whenever smoke is imminenting from my backyard. Probably in the next 3 years or so (when my oldest is in middle school) I’m going to have to upgrade in size.

My previous plan was to get a 26” kettle and build a cart with the 26” on one side and the 22” from my Performer on the other side (aka ‘dueling grills’). This way I’ll have plenty of size and flexibility, and can still use the rotisserie on the 22”. However, as has been previously reported, Weber has discontinued the 26” kettle. So, my question is, should I jump on a still available 26” kettle and hold onto it until I’m ready to upgrade, or wait it out and get something else in a few years. If I were to get something else later, the only other grill that I would currently really be interested in is a Hasty Bake (most likely the Legacy). It has the size I want and seems to have the ability to smoke, direct grill, 2-zone, and everything in between. However, I feel as though I’ve got the kettle down pat, so my switch to the 26” should be smooth, whereas there is going to be an unknown and learning curve with the HB. I’ve wrestled with the ‘kettle vs. HB’ question before, and came up with the ‘dueling grills’ option. If I decide to wait it out, there’s also the possibility that something else comes along (26” Performer?? … one can only dream) that will also fit the bill.

In addition to this calculus, my marital status must be considered. Christmas is coming up and if I get a 26” kettle, I’m going to have to significantly upgrade the Christmas gift I’ve got planned for my wife. So any savings in getting ‘dueling grills’ over the HB is completely out the window. In addition to this, tickets for The Rolling Stones upcoming tour goes on sale today (sponsored by … I kid you not … AARP), and I spent all my ‘good husband points’ in convincing her to let me get a pair of tickets for me and my dad for his upcoming retirement. In short, if I even bring up the idea of buying a grill right now, she will not be happy.

What says you Pit? Play it ‘grill safe’ and get the 26” kettle now or play it ‘marriage safe’ and plan on getting something else (probably a HB) later??

[Draznnl]

Or? What is this or word you ask of? We are the Pit. We do not do or. Buy the 26” Weber now and get the HB later.

But seriously, being one who supports marital bliss (and who knows how expensive divorces are) I think you should hold off until the bigger grill is a necessity and then get the HB.

[Spinaker]

I would get the HB later. Kettles are all over the place and you can find them for cheap if you want them. Plus, since you have the kettle down, it is always fun to learn a new rig.

That is just my .02.

[Spinaker]

You know it would be fun to have. Kettles are great, obviously. But not everyone has a Hasty Bake. Nor can you just find them at the local store. I feel like it is worth having something unique. It shows you are a real BBQ guy or dare I say a "Grillin' Dad" if you have unique stuff in the BBQ world.

[Grillin Dad]

Honestly, the uniqueness of the HB is really what draws me to it. Can do everything the kettle can, plus no one else has one, and most people haven't even heard of it. High cool factor, which is really what it's all about.

[Spinaker]

Exactly…..and it’s still fun to use and makes great food. Wins all around, brother.

[jfmorris]

Yeah - I'm with the others, and on the side of marital bliss.

If you have not already, do your best to maximize capacity with your Performer. I've got the Performer Deluxe and if I could only keep a single grill, that would be the one. I've got a hover grill as well as the SNS elevated grate to increase cooking to 2 levels, and a Weber rib rack for doing 5 slabs of ribs on edge. If you have done all that and still don't have space, then keep an eye out for a cheap 22" or 26" on Facebook Marketplace and/or Craigslist (if that is still a thing).

I've actually got two 22" cookers, in that I won the SNS Deluxe Kamado in the Pitmaster club giveaway a couple of years ago, and there are times I need more smoking space, and smoke on it and the Performer at the same time. For example, last Wednesday I was smoking brats and pastrami on the SNS Kamado, and at the same time rotisserie cooking a turkey on the Performer.

Also, there is nothing wrong with keeping the Performer and adding a second 22" (or 26") down the road. Maybe one without a cart if you are keeping the Performer, to save space. Or going an entirely different direction like the Hastybake. Sounds like whatever you do, keep the cost low right now, and worry about the bigger and more expensive grill down the road...

Personally I would hang onto the Performer long term, as there are so many accessories for 22" kettles that you won't find for 26" kettles or other cookers.

[Grillin Dad]

Yeah, I agree, the Performer is a really great setup, which is why I’ve been making it work so far. And for me, seeing how far I can stretch it is really part of the fun. But right now, I can cook about 12 chicken thighs at once with the Vortex, and we eat all 12. As the kids get older (my oldest is 8), we’re going to need more capacity. But I am leaning towards keeping my current Performer as long as possible and then switching to the HB.

[jfmorris]

Grillin Dad what is this either/or mentality? Keep the Performer AND get the Hasty Bake!

If I have more chicken to cook than a 12 pack of thighs from Sam's, I'll fire up a second grill, or direct grill on the kettle with a set of Grillgrate panels, skipping the Vortex, or use the SNS and the elevated grate (2 levels of indirect, swap halfway through the cook), OR just use my gas grill.... a 4 burner Genesis.

[Grillin Dad]

Yeeeah, not sure the boss will approve me keeping both on our back deck. Plus, is like to get a barrel smoker down the road. And I know she wouldn't approve of all 3. Think I will hold off and get the HB in a couple years.

[Donw]

I believe in marriage equality. Find a nice used 26” and then find her an equally valued used Christmas gift. Problem solved.🙂

[Finster]

^^^^ thought leader type advice right here 👍

[Grillin Dad]

Hey, then maybe she will get me the she-shed that she's been wanting (I hope so, cause I'll need a place to sleep at night!).

[Troutman]

You're a wise man Obi-Won Don

[HouseHomey]

So what I'm hearing right now is your getting a 26. Problem solved. HA!

HB for sure and pick up a gently used 26.

Full disclosure.... I've been divorced twice, now live in a tiny apt with a 22, a 26 and a primo xl on my tiny postage stamp patio and my neighbors now hate me. have a 36" flattop and genesis in the garage. I will likely have those longer than my marriages.

Hope this helps

[Troutman]

Homes you live !!!!

[HouseHomey]

never been happier!!

[Spinaker]

We miss you in here, brother.

[JoeSousa]

Could just buy the 26 for yourself and give her the Hasty Bake as her Christmas gift.

[Grillin Dad]

Genius!! Do you moonlight as a marriage counselor??

[Spinaker]

Now THAT is an idea!

[Troutman]

The amount of true genius on this website never fails to amaze !!!

[hoovarmin]

Buy what you want and if she gets mad tell her to go make you a sandwich on the new grill. You will both be happier.

Edit: If you are strapped financially and it would be irresponsible to buy a grill then she would be right to get angry.

[Grillin Dad]

Not quite sure I would say “strapped,” but the timing does suck. Christmas is always expensive, just had our minivan repaired (yes, with 4 kids there really is no option other than a minivan), and I just dropped $450 on Stones tickets for me and my old man. So the timing just sucks. But a HB is hardly a bad consultation prize.

[PNWBrandon]

I’ll throw a less popular opinion out! I have picked up 3 HB’s in the last few months cheaper than many kettles that were available. HB have a little bit or a learning curve and some folks just find them too finicky, cook on them once, build too big a fire and think something is wrong with the cooker. I have had to check frequently and act fast in some cases but I’ve picked up a Legacy 132 for $325, Continental 84 for $150, and a stainless gourmet for $75. I have a buddy in CO that I have found great deals for in the Denver Metro area(not sure how much you are there). While I am fully aware plenty of people have had kettles that have been passed down generation to generation but I take solace in knowing that buying something made entirely of Stainless Steel will surely outlast me. Whatever you decide upon I suggest scouring marketplace, Craigslist and offer up and paying MUCH less than you would brand new.

If you ever find yourself in Washington state I’d gladly let you cook on all 4 of my Hasty’s!

and yes I’m still married. Only had to buy more land to spread the cookers out 🤪


edited: I see a suburban located in Littleton on marketplace. Maybe you could strike a deal? When I found my legacy I had to show my wife list price to let her know I wasn’t crazy for thinking it was a great deal.

[Grillin Dad]

Unfortunately, both Littleton and Denver are many moons from me. I’m in a small town in a fairly rural area to boot, so finding either a 26” kettle or a HB in good condition and within driving distance would be a crap shoot. But I am leaning towards waiting it out, and getting the HB in a couple years.

[PNWBrandon]

Grillin Dad I hear that! I remember living in Grand County and feeling like the front range was far away can only imagine how the Western Slope feels. I used to do a lot of Colorado travel for work, but what town you located in?

[Grillin Dad]

I'm in Montrose county. I've got family on the front range who (theoretically) could check something out for me, but I'm not sure I'd trust their opinion.

[MBMorgan]

Seems to me that an obvious compromise would be to forego both the 26" and the Hasty-Bake. Be a hero. Take one for the team. And get yourself a little-ol' Weber Summit Kamado as a consolation prize (oh, and try to look sad).

[MBMorgan]

"Buy SWMBO something really nice for Xmas, then later tell a sob story about how you really wanted the 26 kettle but they don’t offer it any more, so you have to go with the Summit."

... and remember that even the most expensive Summit K is still a bit less expensive than the high-end Hasty Bakes.

[MBMorgan]

.... and ... if you look at area, the 26" has 506 sq.in. compared to the Summit K at 452 sq.in. That's a difference of 56 sq.in., which sounds like a lot until you do the math and see that it's only the area that an 8.44" kettle would have ... barely a burger (or two) difference in size.

[Jessterr]

Grillin Dad I did go out and measure the actual grate diameters, the 26 is actually only 25 1/4” and the Summit is actually 23 3/4, so the difference is 1 1/2”. Based on your other thread it appears the 26 is available again, now as a Mastertouch, so it now comes with the removable center section, which I personally love but some others distain. It’s great for using a Vortex and easy to give a good cleaning in the sink due to its small size, but some prefer an uninterrupted grate surface.

[jfmorris]

You know.... they still make the Ranch kettle. Just saying!

Actually, my complaint with the Ranch is that it is made just like the old kettle I had from the 90's, with the 3 separate bottom vents and an ash pan under the kettle. Cleanout on that bad boy would be a pain when you are used to ash sweeps and a detachable ash bucket....

But... space would never be an issue! Charcoal expense might go up though...

[Steve R.]

Ash cleanup is actually really easy with the Ranch. A plastic dust pan and one of those Bucket Head vacuums from Home Depot make short work of it. The cooking grate is more trouble, and it's not all that bad. I only sold my Ranch because my infrequent need for the capacity was no longer worth the garage space it was taking up.

[HouseHomey]

Yeah baby! The Ranch for the win. It wouldn't fit on my postage stamp patio though.

[Carolyn]

Creative math. Call the new cooker your Christmas and birthday, and you won't have to worry about an equitable Christmas. 🤔

[Huskee]

If you do decide on a 26" Weber, SnSGrills.com has 40% off all their 26" kettle accessories (grates, SnS XL, Drip 'N Griddle pan, etc) today only.

[Grillin Dad]

Alright folks, thanks for all the input! Seems like the general consensus is to hold tight, and get the HB later down the road. Seems like reasonably good advice, think I’ll follow it. Heck, maybe I’ll get lucky and win the grand prize next month!!!!

Maybe I’ll float the idea of the 26” by my wife as a possible X-mas gift … though not right now, she’s got a stomach bug. Again, really crappy timing on Weber’s end. Though it may be a sign from the gods not to persue the 26”??!!

[Jim White]

Another thing in favor of the HB is that with 4 young kids, making the dual cart could take up quite a bit of time you may not have readily available. The HB next to the Performer will look great right out of the box.

[drobinson]

I've been married for only 59+ years-----what do I know?
Get the 26" now, because if you don't eventually you'll be looking for one at garage sales!!