Weber 22" vs. Weber 26"

[Attjack]

I've been happy with my 22" but it's time to get a new grill as I've moved it to my cabin. The 26" is tempting. Upside would be more capacity that I don't usually need. Downside is it costs an extra $100, and think there are fewer accessories available for it.

Thus far I've done most of my smoking a 22" and plan to get a Slow n' Sear for whichever sized grill I decide upon. However buying a dedicated smoker is not out of the question.

Is there anything I'm not considering that I should be? What's your take? Why do you have one grill over the other? Anyone regret, or not use the 26" as often as anticipated?

[Huskee]

If you're torn between the 2, my humble suggestion is to just get the 26". You can still cook one burger or steak on the 26, but you can't get the extra capacity of the 26 on the 22 (main grate space that is, not counting an extra tier)

Here's a visual reference of the two, both w/ SnS:

[HouseHomey]

Attjack SHAZAM!!!!

[rototiller78]

100% agree w/ Huskee. I would hands down get the 26" over the 22".

[sblair1255]

26". If I had it to do over again it would be the performer model 26. I have the 22," use it often but wish I had a 26" model. When I got this one with the charcoal lighter I'm not sure the 26 was offered that way, but I just saw one in Ace.

[Attjack]

Are these accessories only available for the 22"? Are they worth considering in this decision?

[HouseHomey]

What's your budget? Please see the max good interview. I don't know how to insert the link but maybe some one smarter than me can and you can see the different Webers and get his opinion. Also the stir fry bowl...

[rototiller78]

I'd think the accessories for the 22" would work on the 26" as well.

[HouseHomey]

Get the 26 and you are off to the races. If you don't have the SnS yet that will keep your busy for a while while you strategize.

[bardsleyque]

I was gifted a 26 back in the late 80s any time I cook on a smaller kettle I'm amazed at how much I miss the larger surface. If you need to justify the cost it's just over 27 cents a day for a year. I've had mine for over 38 and it's still going strong!

[kmhfive]

If the picture wasn't enough, that's almost 40% more surface area.

The gourmet BBQ system doesn't seem to work directly, but there are other accessories:

https://www.cast-iron-grate.com/grates-for-weber-charcoal-grills/26-75-kettle-grills.html

https://www.arteflame.com/product-page/arteflame-18-5-weber-style-cooktop

[dshaffes]

I've got the 26" as well as a few 22" models. Currently, I'm using a 22" Performer mostly because of the table, charcoal storage and gas ignition features. If Weber made the 26" in a Performer model it would be the best of both worlds. I love cooking and smoking on the 26 with the extra grill surface space. Last year I bought a smoke EZ for the 26" which gives me inredible smoking capacity when cooking for big parties/events.

[Huskee]

I've emailed Weber twice hinting that we need a 26" w/ a cart/table like the Performer or he WSCG. Maybe some day they'll listen.

[Jon Solberg]

The 26 is a big boy for sure. The 22 is a handy size. Hmmm hard question here. Is bigger always better. Not really. I love both sizes.

Let me ask you a few things if I may?

Is the 100.00 price difference an issue?

Are you going to use it often?

Do you find you current 22 limiting you on your cook?

[Attjack]

The 26 is a big boy for sure. The 22 is a handy size. Hmmm hard question here. Is bigger always better. Not really. I love both sizes.

Let me ask you a few things if I may?

Is the 100.00 price difference an issue?

Are you going to use it often?

Do you find you current 22 limiting you on your cook?

No the $100 isn't the issue. I'm going to use it nearly every day. I have rarely had an issue with space on the 22 plus I may pick up a smoker next. Although maybe the 26 with a SnS would be sufficient. Or maybe I should go get a 22 inch grill and and 18 inch smoker.

I'm also building out an outdoor kitchen so I want to make the right choices so I can build around the cookers.

[Jon Solberg]

Based on that here's my thought.

A 26 with a STANDARD Slow n Sear. That rig can do just about anything you want. I'm a huge fan of a WSM BUT the SnS in a kettle is a WSM killer IMO. The reason I say to get the standard size SNS is that if gives you ample space when in that smoke mode without sacrificing any performance. You will also have the standard size SnS for the trip to the cabin for a nice smoke up there.

My go to abound the house smoker is a kettle, be it 22 or 26 and an SnS. It's just hard to beat.

I'm looking forward to learning what you choose and seeing some awesome pics of all you cooks and such.

jon

[JCinPA]

I'm with Huskee here: If you're torn between the 2, my humble suggestion is to just get the 26". You can still cook one burger or steak on the 26, but you can't get the extra capacity of the 26 on the 22 (main grate space that is, not counting an extra tier)
That's in the "Better to have it and not need it than the need it and not have it" camp.

OTOH, your post here: No the $100 isn't the issue. I'm going to use it nearly every day. I have rarely had an issue with space on the 22 plus I may pick up a smoker next. Although maybe the 26 with a SnS would be sufficient. Or maybe I should go get a 22 inch grill and and 18 inch smoker.

would have me lean toward the 22" ... BUT, Jon Solberg is totally right, I think "the SnS in a kettle is a WSM killer IMO"

In the end, I agree with his solution, too. If it were me I'd get the 26" with the standard SnS unit. Like you, I don't run into size issues often ... but I do run into them. When I want to do a bigger turkey, more racks of ribs. Even just burgers when there's a crowd (very rare). I think the 26" kettle with the standard (22") SnS gives you the best of both worlds.

By the way, all those expensive Weber accessories ... ridiculous waste IMNSHO. Put a black pan on the grill, you don't need the insert. A regular pizza stone is gonna be better than that small one. Beer can chicken is-- well read about it elsewhere on this form. All a waste of money. The SnS, though? Actual real-rld value, and plenty of it.

good luck!

[jgreen]

I would agree with the recommendation above on the 26, but a bit conflicted on the SnS. I have both sizes, with only a 26 kettle, but think I use the SnS XL more for the larger sear zone combined with bigger charcoal capacity.

[Attjack]

Thanks to all the advice here I'm (once again) leaning toward the 26. But I think I'll buy the regular SnS, and see how that goes. Then it will inevitably end up on the 22 at the cabin. After that I can decide wether to upgrade to the XL which is my first instinct.

[JeffJ]

If someone came to me and said: I need ONE cooker. Just one. I need it to do everything. I can add a few accessories, but other than that, it has to do everything.

My answer would be: 26 + standard SnS. I move my SnS back and forth between my 22 (Performer) and 26 and it works well in both. You get a bit more grate space by going with the 22 SnS in the 26 than the bigger SnS. Typically, when I'm using the 26 I am cooking a lot of food at once and the grate space is at a premium.

[HouseHomey]

Yup.

[Butchman]

I wish they made a 26 inch kettle performer setup withe the kettle built in to a table on wheels.

[JeffJ]

Same here.