Is this the right apprpach? Moving away from a kamado

[rickgregory]

I did a solo spatchcocked chicken on the 22 with SNS and could have fit another on. Not a 3rd (not easily and not without getting pretty close to the SNS. But I had the 22 so it was "buy the SNS for the 22 or buy a 26+SNS" and I don't cook that much food at once. If you think you might, get the 26.

[Joetee]

I have two 22 inch kettles. Some times I use both. Usually one is enough. But I would like a 26 for a turkey or ribs.

[JamieBBQ]

Weber kettles never disappoint. You can upgrade to a more dedicated smoker later when your guest lists get longer (which they will).

[Thunder77]

I recently bought a 26. I have the SnS to go with it, but it's the standard size. I love my 26, use it all the time. I also have the Vortex, which I use with the 26. I still have my 22 Performer, but it has not seen much use since I bought the 26.

[JeffJ]

I've found that the standard SnS works perfectly well in the 26. Out of all of my cookers, if I could only keep one it would be the 26.

[JGo37]

I wish the performer and all the other Weber and third-party accessories were available for the 26" too (response to JFMORRIS) - 2-3 times a week I have both the kettle and my square grill working, even cooking for two.

That said, with my budget, the 22'5" was my 'upgrade' this year, and I was able to get a lot of accessories. But I can't do everything I want to. I keep my old grills - ha, luckily they have no value to resell. I use them all the time.

My point is think about flexibility, and maybe add a budget box or two to do fish, roast veggies, etc. I want the table Henrik just made, to set a Char Griller side box on it, just for Chicago char-dogs.

[SpaceCoyote]

Looks like I never updated this thread with what I did! Just turned on the BBQ yesterday after winter hibernation... two racks of ribs and a pack of wings on my 26" + SnS! It was terrific except for the fact that I oversmoked the wings, and a smoking chunk caught fire making the wings taste like creosote.

I ended up also getting a CyberQ with amazon GC's. The ability to set the temp remotely meant I was able to hang out with our visitors and pump the temp bit by bit to finish the ribs quicker... I'm really happy I got it and it has been a great setup!

I think it's unnaturally leaky though. The ash sweepers don't sit flush with the bowl so when the bowl is clean air easily escapes/gets in. The top isn't flush either so a lot of air leaks out there as well. I'll have to figure out fixes for those.

My full wish-list would be a drip + griddle, lid hinge, and easy-spin grates... I'll have to decide if this is my forever grill or if I want to eventually go for a Summit Charcoal. The only thing I miss about my Keg is how efficient it was and how well it did in colder weather. It was in the single digits (Celcius) yesterday and I went through a surprising amount of charcoal.

My first order of business this season, though, is to build a cart!

[RonB]

Congrats on a great choice! You may have to remove the sweepers and bend them a bit to get proper fit. And a gasket should help with the leaky lid:

https://smile.amazon.com/Lavalock-Nomex-gasket-smoker-stick/dp/B00JO00S04/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=2K6LODWZ42LBR&keywords=bbq+gasket+smoker+seal+self+stick&qid=1556471478&s=gateway&sprefix=bbq+gasket%2Caps%2C129&sr=8-2-spons&psc=1

[CaptainMike]

Ah, the sweet siren call of MCS. The WSCG would give you just about everything you miss with your kamado, and it's a great griller too.

[Attjack]

I hava a 26 and XL SNS but I greatly prefer my Kamado for low and slow. I use the 26 and a Jumbo Joe for grilling.

[SpaceCoyote]

Ah, the sweet siren call of MCS. The WSCG would give you just about everything you miss with your kamado, and it's a great griller too.

Haha! Luckily I don't have the room (or approval) for more than one, so i'd be selling the 26" to go down to the 24". Obviously not ideal, so I think the limit for a second would be a Weber Go Anywhere, and for convenience I would probably get a propane one. Much of the earlier chat revolved around being able to accommodate veg / extras (like when the wife shows up with corn and thinks you can just pop it on with the brisket) and it would be the ideal thing to bust out for roasting corn or desserts. Easy to put into storage but it sounds like the new ones aren't as good as the old

[smokin fool]

We have the big steel keg too and are the same problems as you regarding size and inability to control lower temps.
When things go good on this smoker, they go really really good.
When they go bad, well, its usually not a complete disaster but might as well be.
Not giving up on the Keg but am looking to add a Weber Kettle to the backyard.
Previous poster mentioned having the flexibility to use either unit would be neat.

[SpaceCoyote]

We have the big steel keg too and are the same problems as you regarding size and inability to control lower temps.
When things go good on this smoker, they go really really good.
When they go bad, well, its usually not a complete disaster but might as well be.
Not giving up on the Keg but am looking to add a Weber Kettle to the backyard.
Previous poster mentioned having the flexibility to use either unit would be neat.

I'll say that having tossed the keg and moved to the 26+SnS... the only thing I miss is its efficiency with charcoal. Nothing else. Every other attribute is better on the 26. Being able to do two racks of ribs and a pack of wings and load more charcoal easily was inconceivable on the leg, but it seems like a minimum need if you have company over. Very happy with the upgrade!!

[Thunder77]

My preference would be for the 26” w/SnS XL. I have that setup, and just last weekend smoked 9 lbs of pork belly bacon. It is a very versatile setup.
I cooked a 16 lb turkey on it for Easter. If you get the kettle, spend another 40-50 bucks and get a Vortex for it. It is a chicken machine!