22.5 WSM vs 26 Weber Kettle/SNS?

[ColonialDawg]

Well I am in a position thato I am sure a lot of you have been in before. I am selling my electric smoker and "moving up" to either a charcoal or wood-burning smoker. I desire that genuine smoked taste that only charcoal or wood burning cookers can give you. And while my heart has always been set on buying a Lang one day, with a full time job and 3 kids, I just don't think it would get much use right now. Not to mention it's a little more money I than I am willing to spend at this time. I've also been very tempted by the KBQ, which I hear puts out some amazing BBQ, but while it is easier to use than a stick burner, it still requires wood every 30-45 minutes, so it still poses the same issue as the Lang.

So after much thought I have decided that I am going to pick between a 22.5 inch Weber Smokey Mountain or a Weber 26 inch Kettle with a Slow N Sear XL.

I usually cook for 5-10 people, just FYI.

Here are my questions:

1) What are the advantages/disadvantages of each?

2) How does the food compare? Is one better than the other?

3) Those that use the Slow N Sear, do find that you can maintain pretty stable temperatures and how often do you have to add charcoal?

4) Obviously the WSM 22.5 has more overall capacity but access to the lower shelf is less than ideal. Has that been a frustration/issue?

5) Has anyone modified their Weber Kettle to accept a fan like an Auber or Guru? Is that mod worth it?

6) I've seen some use the lower section of the WSM as a kettle grill. Does it work well enough for grilling and could you add the regular size Slow N Sear if you wanted to?

I appreciate the feedback.

[Huskee]

1)

• Cons of WSM= cost, uses a little more charcoal on the average cook than the 26" w/ SnS would, lots of parts, harder access mid-cook to lower grate
• Cons of 26" - less capacity by comparison to WSM, particularly ribs which need a large footprint unless using a rib rack or other clever positioning
• Pros of WSM = lots of space!
• Pros of 26" w/ SnS = Get 8-12hrs run time with one load, depending on weather & how loaded, cheaper than WSM

2) Largely the same in most cases
3) Yes. If I use a second-tier grate and load the SnS very full I can get 11-12hrs in mild summer weather. Average though, a good 8 or 9hrs. ~5h-6hrs on the water.
5) Yes, not me, but many have and report success. Not necessary at all, but will work to make it even easier if you choose to

[Danjohnston949]

Huskee, Mr. Manager of the Pit Master Club‼️ Your Post is Not Like Able this AM❓ I can't Speak about the 26" Weber but by inference My 22 1/2" Kettle w/S 'n S, Drip & Griddle and BBQGURU DigiQ DX-2 Temp Control‼️ It boils down to Personal Preference unless You want to Grill as Well❗️
From a Backyard Cremator in Fargo ND, Dan

[Jon Solberg]

1) What are the advantages/disadvantages of each? 26 You can't grill on a WSM. You cant load 8 racks of ribs in a 26...

2) How does the food compare? Is one better than the other? equal on low and slow

3) Those that use the Slow N Sear, do find that you can maintain pretty stable temperatures and how often do you have to add charcoal? Maintains perfect temp 5-8 hours depending on local variable

4) Obviously the WSM 22.5 has more overall capacity but access to the lower shelf is less than ideal. Has that been a frustration/issue? No

5) Has anyone modified their Weber Kettle to accept a fan like an Auber or Guru? Is that mod worth it? Yes, yes BUT not a must have

6) I've seen some use the lower section of the WSM as a kettle grill. Does it work well enough for grilling and could you add the regular size Slow N Sear if you wanted to? Base does not make a good grill IMO but it will work as such

[Beefchop]

You *can* grill on the WSM...but it's not as easy as the kettle. http://virtualweberbullet.com/grilling.html

[Steve R.]

I've never used a WSM, but I have a 22.5" kettle with SnS and a Guru. That is a winning combination, in my book! For smoking, a load of regular Kingsford briqettes will last ~10 hrs (less in cold weather). Just have to stir the ashes, push the hot coals to one end in the SnS and then you can add more as needed.

[Danjohnston949]

Steve R., Well Said Steve❗️ You do exactly as I do❗️ Generally I Shake the Ashes Down every 2 - 2 - 1/2 Hrs, I Watch the FireBoard for Drops in Pit Temp❓ I usually Overfill the S 'n S to Begin and Rarely Add Additional Charcoal❗️
From a Backyard Cremator in Fargo ND, Dan

[Attjack]

I had originally planned to get a WSM, but after getting the 26 and a SnS I'm in no rush.

[RedFarr]

...get the Smokey Mountain...why try to turn a grill into a smoker when you can get a smoker...you can grill on the Mountain...learn how to butcher ribs and you'll have 4 racks flat on each layer of your new WSM...don't get caught up in this set and forget style of BBQ...it's food keep an eye on what you're doing, flip it, rotate it, spray it whatever it takes so it turns out ...

I have a 26 I made my firebox long before sns came along it's a little smaller you'll loose 2/5th of the grill space with an sns... a 26 holds 2 racks flat...just a thought don't buy/use anything you have to take apart or lift or mess with to get to the firebox...not that you'll need to with the Smokey Mountain...

Red

[sblair1255]

And you can grill on the WSM. dump in a full lit chimney of coal, take out the water pan, open the lower vents and use the lower grill. Works great and just far enough away to prevent scorching any meat.

[Hulagn1971]

I have both the 26" kettle with SnS (the original one made for the 22" kettle) and the WSM 22.5. I've had the WSM for 4-5 years and recently got the 26" kettle. The only time I use the WSM now is for volume cooking and for pork butts and brisket. I like the ability to load it once for long cooks of up to 16 hours+ without having to do anything else. This is particularly nice for overnight cooks.

[Troutman]

I pretty much agree with what's been opined here. I own both as well. If I had to pick it would probably be the kettle. Love smoking better in the WSM but the kettle can smoke AND grill so its a matter of what you are willing to spend and what you plan on cooking.

Let me also introduce you to another strange calamity and potential financial fallout you may begin to develop within the hobby. It's know simply as MCS aka 'Multiple Cooker Syndrome'! Almost everyone here has it to some degree and the longer you are here the more temptation you are going to encounter. In other words what I am trying to say my friend, is buy the one you feel best fits your cooking needs today because eventually you will buy the other one because you will have buyers remorse over having purchased the first one.

And yes I can recommend a good support group or shrink if you find yourself stuck in such a calamity. Good luck, and happy smoking !

[Attjack]

The thing is he can't really have buyer's remorse over buying the 26. He knows he wants a grill. It might smoke well enough for him too. If not he'll just get the WSM, and feed his MCS.

[Hulagn1971]

I agree that MCS is real and extremely difficult to avoid. I started with one basic Weber 22" kettle and now have (4) different Weber kettle grills and a WSM 22.5".

[DWCowles]

My poor 22” WSM hasn’t been used over an year. It’s just sitting on the deck with a cover on taking up space. The 26” kettle only get used when I want to cook something on the Arteflame insert.

[TripleB]

I have a lot of toys and the ones you are thinking of (minus the 26 Weber kettle). Here are my thought (FWIW):

- Don't sell your electric smoker. If you expand into different frontiers (smoking sausage, fish, cheese, etc.) you'll wish you kept it. I have a 20 lb electric smoker dedicated to sausage and fish.
- Think about buying a 18.5" WSM AND a 22" Weber Kettle. For 5-10 people, an 18.5" WSM will do just fine and you can grill alot on the 22" weber kettle. I have grilled up to 5 tri-tips on the kettle.
- I do use a BBQ Guru on my weber kettle. And I put it in because I use the SnS. I have an old weber with the three, individual vents in the bottom so it was easy to put the Guru on (no drilling). I have only used it twice and so far have had mixed reviews. Need to try the SnS without the Guru.

[Pirate Scott]

I only have the 26” Kettle, no S&S or other devices. We are not going Hungry here. I am able to accomplish just about anything I need to, as you will too. ( no matter what you decide on) You can fit a lot of food on a 26” Kettle. I generally do everything in twos ( Pork butts, Chuck Roast etc...)because I like the leftovers. 4 Baby Backs in a Rack works out good,you can do 2 Racks Flat. I did 8 Racks rolled, but it was not a great cook. I will try it again now that I am better prepared. Have fun! Look forward to seeing your cooks.

[ColonialDawg]

Let me also introduce you to another strange calamity and potential financial fallout you may begin to develop within the hobby. It's know simply as MCS aka 'Multiple Cooker Syndrome'! Almost everyone here has it to some degree and the longer you are here the more temptation you are going to encounter. In other words what I am trying to say my friend, is buy the one you feel best fits your cooking needs today because eventually you will buy the other one because you will have buyers remorse over having purchased the first one.

And yes I can recommend a good support group or shrink if you find yourself stuck in such a calamity. Good luck, and happy smoking !

Haha, yea, I have a feeling this won't be a one and done venture! I really appreciate all the feedback thus far.

For those who have added a Guru adapter to their kettle, just curious, where did you put it? That is what is the best position in relation to the SNS? And can you share any pics?

[Steve R.]

Assuming you have a kettle with the one-touch system, the Guru adapter will go roughly 180 degrees from where the SnS will be located, and below the charcoal grate. Just be sure to find a spot where it won't be in the way of the ash sweeper blades.

[Troutman]

Typically the adapter is simply a plate that mounts over one of your bottom vents, no real modifications to the kettle needed. I don't use them but guys that do swear by them.

[JeffJ]

For the number of people you are typically cooking for, a 26 + SnS seems like the better choice - it will hold 3 slabs of spareribs no problem. I use the standard-sized SnS in my 26 and it works great. No need to pay extra for the bigger one and lose valuable grate-space IMO. The great thing about Weber kettles are the amount of accessories available. DWCowles mentioned the Arteflame. I have one for my 26 and it's great. I also love the Weber Gourmet BBQ system (I have the griddle and wok for it) as well as the Kettle Pizza and the rotisserie ring (these are all for my 22).

Like Huskee said, the only capacity issue would likely be ribs. But, you can expand capacity with a hover grill (You can purchase a grate for a 22 and invert it on the 26 grate). Also, a pricey product called Smoke EZ turns a Weber kettle into a WSM. If you need to expand capacity down the road, this might be a great option in lieu of purchasing another cooker and it will have a LOT more capacity than a 22 WSM.

[Attjack]

Too bad the Smoke EZ XL is so expensive. If it was under $200 I would be forced to give them my money.

[ColonialDawg]

Interesting. So with the standard SNS what kind of temps are you getting in the 26 inch kettle and how long does the charcoal last? Can you get it up to 275 if needed? How's the fit?

[Hulagn1971]

ColonialDawg I know you did not ask me but I'll post my experience . I get at least 7 hours low and slow in the 26 with the standard SnS made for the 22 for ribs and can get as hot as 400+ degrees for chicken cooks. You do have to start with the majority of the coals hot in the chimney then dump them in the SnS.

[sblair1255]

Actually I like to grill on my WSM. In fact it's really about the only time I use the lower rack. I get at least a full chimney going then add wood. The lower grill is just low enough to get a lick of flame with smoke but high enough you really don't have to worry about a real fire and it doubles as a smoker. Not easy to flip a burger on the lower grill but steak or tri-tip is easy.