Chiefsilverback - you asked if the gas igniter for the Weber was useful. When I bought mine 7 - 8 years ago, I thought it was a gimmick, but I now use it for every cook, and it's very convenient. I even use it to light a few coals to start the SnS with.
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Chiefsilverback , welcome to the Pit!
Back to your original post, I vote for Door # 2. The size of both cookers are good for the size of your family, there's a lot to be said for the convenience of a gasser when you just want to cook something right now without a lot of fussing and fiddling around(it may take 10 minutes for a gasser to come up to temp but you just twist a knob and push a button to start it going) and the SNS gets you the ability to do some excellent smoking and reverse-searing.
The big price increase you get with the Performer Premium and Deluxe is for the larger table and the gourmet system grate. If you don't use the gourmet system accessories the grate is a royal PITA to cook on and keep clean, you'll be shelling out another $30 for the basic hinged grate soon. If you're into small woks and pizza stones it's great but for basic grilling and smoking it's a PITA. My Performer Deluxe came with one, I never used it. My Summit Charcoal came with the Gourmet System grate, I used it a couple of times until I could find a replacement(BGE XL grate @ $90). But the larger table is really nice, you pays your money and takes your choice.
I'll stand behind my choice for 2). You get convenience and a great grill/smoker combo that suits your needs.
Best,
Bill
P.S. If you can't decide between the kettle or kamado, the Summit Charcoal is both!
Last edited by billg71; July 5, 2016, 04:48 PM.Comment
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Lots of good answers and info here that has had me thinking all afternoon and had me stop off at Lowes on the way home to have a looksee at options.
Right now I'm thinking of going 'back to basics', getting the 22" Premium with an SNS, the well rated ET732 thermometer and a few other choice accessories, and taking it from there. For the last 3 days I've cooked over coals on my Char-Griller duo and the only 'annoying' bit is having to empty the ash each time, which becomes much easier with the Weber. Using the chimney is easy (and fun, as you all know) so I'll see how I get on gas free.
billg71 I did start the processing of getting my Good Lady Wife on board with a Summit gas grill in a couple of years, so I might re-focus my efforts on a Summit Charcoal instead!
On a side note, has anyone come out with an insulated lid for the Weber kettle? Looking at it from a very simple perspective heat rises and I'm guessing a lot of head escapes through the lid, so would there be any benefit using a double walled lid?Comment
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Also if you don't get the gas assist I would then opt for the 26" kettle. -
KARB2014 - 22" Premium to the Performer Deluxe is $250, I'm not sure I can justify that for the igniter! It's $150 to jump from the 22" Premium to the 26" so I think I'd be more inclined to get two 22" units, run one with the Slow n Sear and the other 'stock'. Then I could have two colours too!
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Chiefsilverback ...
Hmmm... The Weber kettle is nothing more than the fire place in your house. Air comes in through the bottom vent, circulates around the curves created by Weber, hits the top of the dome shaped lid, bounces down to the cooking level and then heads out of the top vent. It's a flowing convection heat, with the lid on. More air intake increases the cooking temperature. Less air intake decreases the cooking temperature.
A double walled lid might decrease your briquette burn rate SLIGHTLY but I doubt it would change the finished results of your food much.
http://www.finecooking.com/videos/ho...ven-works.aspx
Meathead goes into great detail on the different types of cooking here... http://amazingribs.com/tips_and_tech...f_cooking.htmlLast edited by Breadhead; July 5, 2016, 11:39 PM.Comment
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I was thinking that it would start you on your way to a WSCG type setup. It's still just a fire in a box with an air intake and an exhaust...Comment
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KARB2014 no worries, in 24 hours I've been up and down the options! I like the idea of the Performers, but I don't think i'd really use the gourmet BBQ grate system, so it comes down to the cart/prep surface and the igniter and when you step back and look at the prices: $150>$250>$350>$400 I'm finding it hard to justify the extra expense for a table and a lighter!
So for now it's 22" Premium kettle w. SNS, thermometer etc... save my credit card a few $$$ and maybe build a cart/prep station based around the Performer dimensions so that I can get a cover that will fit nicely.Comment
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Chiefsilverback That is the way I was going to do it until I was finding them on craigslist. I bought mine for $130 and it was built in 2010. So Weber honored the 10yr warranty and replace the whole kettle because it had started to develop a little bit of rust. Then I powdercoated the table and she looks better than brand new.Comment
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I hadn't thought of going the CL route. Just has a little search and there's a guy with two 5 year old Performers that he's selling due to downsizing.Originally posted by KARB2014 View PostComment
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I don't quite understand the quest for two zone cooking. I have a weber kettle with SnS as well as a BKK 5000(kamodo). Even when I set the kettle and SnS up for a low n slow cook, the SnS is so efficient that there is not enough charcoal burning to have 2 zones. Currently I set my BKK up for low n slow and set the Weber with SnS up for searing and oh my what a combo.Comment
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Originally posted by Chiefsilverback View Post
Just adding my 2 cents. Last summer I picked up a Vision Classic B for $450 @ my local Sam's Club. At the time I time I bought it to replace an large (cheap) offset smoker. Living in upstate NY I also wanted something for cold weather cooks. I already had a Weber Performer and a gasser. Well 1 year later & the majority of my cooks happen on the Vision. I gave my brother in law my gasser and now exclusively use charcoal and wouldn't go back. I might consider a Weber Q series for portable grilling activities away from home, but at home its just charcoal. The price of a new Vision Classic B is now around $399. That leaves you room to buy some accessories. If it were my money, I would do it all over again. Best wishes which ever way you choose to go!Comment
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efincoop - your experience is not all that surprising. I know a lot of new kamado cookers who, after about 2-3 months, get on Craig's list and sell their old equipment.
Join us in the Kamado section. Wee've got a nice little discussion going on. We'd really value your input.
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Once I got good with my kettle a couple years ago I stopped using my gasser. I got a Vision kamado a little over a year ago for about $475 at BJ's. I have been very happy with it. Now I rarely use my kettle. I live in New England and the kettle makes low and slow a lot easier in the Winter.Comment
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If your goal is to smoke/sear meat you want a good two zone cooker( like the kettle or PK Grill) over any Kamado style cooker. Don't take it from me, listen to Meathead.
If after reading the limitations of a Kamado you still find yourself wanting one, go for it!Comment
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I'm definitely keeping a kamado on my wish list. I'm slowly converting to a lifestyle of 'needs' vs 'wants'. I want a gasser, a smoker, a kamado and a kettle or two, but what do I truly 'need'? I'm also trying to move away from the 'trap' of buying a cheap version to get started with something and then buying the real deal a few weeks/months later. I think the Akorn could have put me in this territory.
Kettle with SnS for now, then I can keep my eyes peeled for deals on a kamado/gasser/smoker down the line...
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Figures I'd post an update on this. House move is complete, we're now 'living free or dying' and I went shopping... (I already had the chimney and the thermopop, but the rest is newly acquired).Comment
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Nice setup! Great cooks ahead!Comment
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