Weber 22" vs. Weber 26"

[bcostlow]

I find that I can smoke on my Performer with SNS just about as well as with my WSM and without having to deal with dumping greasy water, or worse, cleaning up the mold that occurs forget to dispose of it right away. It takes a few cooks to dial it in but the SNS makes a difference for me. I bought the SNS XL because I plan to eventually upgrade to the Weber 26. If they aren't making a performer model out of the 26" by that time, there are a lot of DIY plans out there for building a table around existing grills.

[gijsveltman]

My MCS is acting up again and I'm also considering a 26 Kettle, but don't want to buy another SnS. If I use the standard SnS on a 26" Kettle, how does this change how much charcoal you need at the beginning to get to temp, or how fast it burns it throughout the cook? Anyone have any experience with this setup?

Thanks!

[Huskee]

It's hard to give specifics, but more space to heat means you'll go through the coals a little quicker, you may notice an hour or two less burn time. The SnS XL obviously holds more and it will get you roughly the same burn time as the Original in the 22".

[Attjack]

I pulled the trigger on the 26" Weber (I followed the Amazon link in the review section so AmazingRibs gets credit). Looking forward to seeing it in person.

[Huskee]

Keep in mind, the [original] SnS is only 1" smaller, depthwise, edge to center of grill, and 3" smaller end to end. It in the 26" kettle it will give you a little more grate space, but the SnS XL gives you more sear area on steak or burger night! It's give & take. Personally, and this is just me and how I use mine, I find the better option to be the XL in the 26", I find more use for the larger searing zone than I do the 'extra' indirect grate space of the smaller SnS in the 26.

[gijsveltman]

Thanks for your reply! I'm looking for more indirect grate space, so I'm going to stay with the original. Lately I've been searing steaks and burgers on a cast iron pan with rendered beef or bacon fat & butter, so I haven't been using the sear side of the Kettle, only the indirect.

[BluesDaddy]

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

This is precisely what I've been telling folks for awhile. I only smoke on my 26" and use the standard size SnS (which I bought before the larger size came out and glad I did). It works great. I use the SnS in my 22" Mastertouch often as well, but typically for hot and fast or reverse sear type cooks. Low and slow is in the 26" with the SnS. I also just got an Arteflame insert for the 26", which provides much more griddle surface than a 22" would. And the hole is 12" diameter, so the gourmet system inserts will fit in it. Win, win.

[Jon Solberg]

How do you like that arteflame 26 BluesDaddy ?

[BluesDaddy]

So far I like it a lot. I've only cooked three times or so on it, but it works just great. I did some smash burgers last Saturday that were pretty killer. Still getting used to it, though. And it is heavy as all get out.

[Attjack]

This is precisely what I've been telling folks for awhile. I only smoke on my 26" and use the standard size SnS (which I bought before the larger size came out and glad I did). It works great. I use the SnS in my 22" Mastertouch often as well, but typically for hot and fast or reverse sear type cooks. Low and slow is in the 26" with the SnS. I also just got an Arteflame insert for the 26", which provides much more griddle surface than a 22" would. And the hole is 12" diameter, so the gourmet system inserts will fit in it. Win, win.

Wow. I'm buying an Arteflame insert for sure. I've been drooling over those high end models. The price ($120) seems incredibly reasonable. As a bonus if I want any of the accessories I was curious about I'll be able to use them. I already have cast iron wok. Would there be sufficient airflow to use in with the Arteflame insert?

Feeling really good about ordering the 26 now with the revelation that I can use an Arteflame on it and it will provide a reasonable amount of space for such a device.

[BluesDaddy]

I'd think if the wok seals the hole up completely you might have an issue. I have the sear grate for the gourmet system, and it fits great (no pun intended) as does just the regular grill insert from the gourmet system. To date, I've really only used them to keep stuff from falling in as I get use to using the flat top.

[JeffJ]

I wouldn't use the wok with the Arteflame. Get the Weber Gourmet BBQ grate if you want to use the wok. This grate is thicker and lasts much longer than the standard grate anyway. Whilst I've only used it 3 times so far, I REALLY like the Arteflame for the 26. My best experience with it was Father's Day. While I was cooking hash browns and bacon on it, my wife was cooking up pancakes on it, at the same time. Very cool.

[troymeister]

I wanted the 26 for a long time. I checked Craigs List and Ebay regularly. I finally got one on Ebay for $189.00 shipped. I love the 26.. Tons of real estate.

[Spinaker]

When in doubt. GO BIG!