Weber Jumbo Joe 22" Premium Charcoal Grill: can I add the One Touch ash catcher to it?

[fzxdoc]

While at Walmart today MCS bit me in the behind. Even though I didn't need it, I bought a Jumbo Joe 22" Premium kettle--the kind that has the tray set onto holders attached to the legs. The price was great: $45 after a discount for being the floor model, the last one, and assembled so the handle is between the two wheeled legs . (some disassembly/reassembly required )

This is the one I got:



Now I'd like to add the One-Touch ash catcher like I have on my WSCGC and see on the Performers, etc. , one that looks like this.


I can't find it on the Weber parts portion of the Weber site but may not be looking in the right spot.

Can I add the One Touch ash catcher with the sweep arm assembly? If so, does it take many modifications?

P.S. The kettle is hiding in the garage for the night. Haven't told my husband yet. Although I spend way more than that on makeup, it's not the money to him, it's the proliferation of toys that he can't seem to understand.

I'm working on my rationalization.

Kathryn

[jfmorris]

Kathryn, what you are calling a Jumbo Joe 22” appears to me to be almost the same as the standard $99 kettle? At least it looks a lot like it. Unfortunately there is a part on the kettle itself you are missing to attach the ash catcher, along the sweep arm and parts inside the kettle. I think you will spend more in getting these parts from a Weber parts dealer than you spent on the grill.

[fzxdoc]

I like the low profile bowl because I'm thinking it would be a good searing machine. The distance from the charcoal grate to the grill is 3.75" on the JJ as opposed to 5" on the standard kettle.

Yes, the legs 22" tall, and the diameter of the cooking grate is 22" as opposed to 18" for the portable JJ. Plus the portable JJ was $69 and I paid $45 for this one with legs and more cooking area.

[badf00d]

fzxdoc - that's brilliant!

[Attjack]

Meathead suggested just raising the charcoal grate with some bricks in an article I read last month. That's another way to get you sear on.

[fzxdoc]

jfmorris , the documentation that comes with the grill calls it a Jumbo Joe Premium 22 inch. You're right, I believe it retails for $99 usually. The $45 price tag was a bargain deal.

I'd like to add the One Touch system for safety's sake; we live in a densely wooded area on a mountain. I don't want sparks to cause a problem. I like the One Touch system because it's enclosed. So cost is not an issue if it guarantees that the grill is safer to use.

If the projected cost gets too high, I could just take it back and get the Original Kettle Premium that retails for $149.

The shape and size of the openings for ash disposal on the JJ Premium is different than that used for the One Touch system on the Weber Original 22.5 inch Premium kettles.

I want to use the JJ Premium primarily for searing. It's smaller than my WSCGC and should be good for quick cooks for just the two of us and should be faster to clean than the WSCGC.

Kathryn

[fzxdoc]

I spoke with Weber today and they dashed my hopes--no way to attach a One Touch ash system to the Weber Jumbo Joe Premium. Sigh.

I'm happy with my purchase nonetheless. For one thing, because of the markdown, it was $15 cheaper than the short legged Jumbo Joe which I had been eyeing for a large charcoal sear station (Larger than the SnS) to use when I sous vide steaks, etc.

With the longer legs and more cooking area (22" vs 18" grate) compared with the portable Jumbo Joe (which is, I'm guessing, what makes this one a "Premium" Jumbo Joe), I don't have to directly set it on something fireproof/heatproof to use, although of course I'll have a fireproof grill mat underneath it to protect the deck.

I have no intention of hauling it around, so the portability of the shorter JJ is not a factor.

The charcoal-grate-to-grill-grate distance is less than that on my WSCGC (helping with the sear temps, maybe) and the grate will be easier to clean because I can put it in the laundry room sink to soak before scrubbing clean.

So mostly it will be used for those quickie weeknight cooks for the two of us. (less charcoal, quicker cleanup)

I was happy to find that my Adrenaline Barbecue Charcoal Basket for the WSCGC fits just fine in the JJ. Yippee! The ABC Charcoal Basket has all the features of the SnS except for the water reservoir. I can always add a pan of water.

So the only accessory Jumbo Joe Long Legs gets is a Weber 22" grill cover, which cost nearly as much as what I paid for the grill!

Kathryn

[Attjack]

Quite a bit because I often cook for two. I have a Primo XL and a Weber 26 both if which are quite large as I'm sure you know. So the JJ was a good addition.

[fzxdoc]

Yup, that's exactly why it's a good addition for me as well.

How much charcoal do you use for those JJ cooks, Attjack ?

Kathryn

[Attjack]

fzxdoc Often times I get away with just a single weber charcoal holder full. That's what cooked my dinner pictured below. I think that might be around 25 briquettes.

[customtrim]

fzxdoc it is possible to have the mounts fabricated to the bottom of the joe to accept the ash bucket

[fzxdoc]

Maybe so, customtrim . I guess I'd just have to order the sweep and bucket and see how that could be done.

K.

[Mr. Bones]

Short answer?
Yes, it can be done, but is not a bolt-on swap, rather a retrofit.
As an interim, far less arduous/tedious modification, I can recommend sourcin a large sauce pan/smallish stockpot, that will fit up underneath, on th stock aluminium pan, leavin mebbe ~1-1.5" fer airflow to th bottom vent...

[customtrim]

I was thinking of fabricating the mounts spot weld them on to the base would have to see on the swing arm for the sweep but it is definitely a doable job Mr. Bones

[Mr. Bones]

Indeed, doable customtrim
I've seen some done so, over yonder at WKC...

[fzxdoc]

A great suggestion, Mr. Bones. Thanks!

K.

[Attjack]

I'm working on an enclosed ash catcher for my Jumbo Joe.

[Mr. Bones]

Please, do elaborate/clarify/demystify, brother... as my avatar clearly shows: I'm all ears!

[Mudkat]

That bowl looks better than anything Weber would use. Nice mod Attjack!

[Attjack]

Yeah the bowl is heavy gauge and high quality. I was going to make a Poortex for my smokey Joe, but then realized it was the perfect size for a JJ ash catcher.

[HawkerXP]

So fzxdoc you still have the husband issue... Hmmmmm I believe I've heard someone somewhere say something like "Geee dear, those a lovely shoes. Are they new?" .LoL!

[fzxdoc]

Truer words were never spoken, HawkerXP . In fact the day after I got the JJPremium, I bought 2 new pair of shoes. It's been a good week.

K.

[Mudkat]

A husband that doesn't understand toys? Huh. Never heard of such a beast! God love him. Leaves more money for you to play with! 💲💲

[fzxdoc]

He's a minimalist, Mudkat . The only maximalist thing he ever did in his life was to marry me! We're perfectly paired.

[JeffJ]

I tilt the ash out of mine before each use. It's kind of annoying and isn't the cleanest way to go.

[Mr. Bones]

Yup. Even as much as I love, use, an advocate my much-beloved Smokey Joes, it's kinda a goofy setup. JeffJ

[Attjack]

Please, do elaborate/clarify/demystify, brother... as my avatar clearly shows: I'm all ears! - Mr. Bones

Well I've just cut a SS bowl to accommodate the travel of the bottom vent adjustment arm. I had previously considered a more elaborate attachment system, but by just bending the leg assembly a little bit I'm able to hold the bowl in place between the bottom wingnut and the top 3 wing nuts. I'll cut some additional vent holes around the top of the bowl. That may be where I stop, or maybe I'll try to come up with a sweeper system as well.

[fzxdoc]

I'm liking the looks of that. Thank you, Attjack .

Kathryn

[Attjack]

fzxdoc I bought the bowl from Goodwill for a few dollars.

[Troutman]

That's frrken awesome Attjack !! I love the way you guys customize, I'm just not that clever

[Attjack]

I think I'll begin user testing tonight by cooking some elk steaks, corn, and summer squash from the garden.

[fzxdoc]

Keep us posted, Attjack

[Mr. Bones]

Yes, Please Do!

[Polarbear777]

How about bolt/clip mounting a large stainless dog bowl with some holes cut in it?

you can use a brush to push ash out, if the sweepers don’t fit.

I got a kettleman for searing because it has more airflow. Didn’t work out because the coal bed is actually _too_ shallow. Depth gives you more room for heat sources that all go up.

[fzxdoc]

What is the distance between the charcoal grate and the grill grate on that Kettleman, Polarbear777 ?

K.

[Polarbear777]

About Two kbb briquettes high if I remember right.

[jfmorris]

Sounds to me like you have a great searing machine. Enjoy it for what it is!

[Attjack]

Maiden voyage. Working well even without the additional air intake holes. I'll still drill them though because I feel like they will help.

[Attjack]

Not much ash from this little cook obviously.

[Troutman]

So you launched the little one over a big one in case of failure? LOL

[Attjack]

Yeah especially before the enclosed ash catcher mod it made sense to have it on a fire safe surface. But it's also just a good spot.