Santa Maria cookers, just thinking

[ofelles]

Just thinking out loud and looking for thoughts/suggestions.
I would like to do some Santa Maria style cooking. First thought is going full out with a LSG cooker 48” and getting rid of my Klose grill. I really like their workmanship and the design.
But looking at some old threads I saw the insert for a kettle. I could get a SnS kettle and a Gabbys grills insert for about ½ the cost. But also ½ the cooking space. Although it would allow me all the accessories i.e. low and slow.
How do kettles stand up to cooking with wood?
Having both a Yoder pellet and a LSG cabinet do I need another low and slow method?

[CaptainMike]

tbob4 and I both have this grill and it's a fun little cooker, probably my favorite https://www.santamariagrills.com/pro...x20-deluxe-bbq I think they're available at COSTCO too.

[tbob4]

I second this! I have not seen them at my COSTCO this year. If you buy from them I highly recommend you also purchase the coal raiser. It helps with air flow. I put a big cookie sheet beneath it to catch ash. Clean up is easy.

[tbob4]

If you do order one, do it by phone. I would ask for the lip facing up with the removable grate. That is how the used to sell them but they seem to come stock with the lip down and the grate welded. I have already gone through on grate. It is much cheaper to buy a new grate than a whole insert.

[Panhead John]

If you’re going to get an SNS kettle, I’d make sure whatever Santa Maria insert you get will fit the SNS kettle.

[ofelles]

good point! it says it does, but will have to ask directly if and when I move forward.

[Chuck in Charlotte]

A multi-use tool rarely does any job as well as a purpose-built tool, and you already have the low-and-slow option covered. I'd go for the LSG if I could afford it. (And since I can't afford it, then I can at least enjoy yours vicariously.)

[texastweeter]

I cook with wood in a jumbo joe all the time. No issues.

[Donw]

I have the LSG Santa Maria and it sits next to my Yoder and my SnS. I debated the same as you and took the plunge. Not one regret and it is the most fun cooker I have.

[Troutman]

I've enjoyed cooking with my Gabby's grill accessory. It's an inexpensive way to get introduced to live fire (Santa Maria style) grilling which has become my favorite way to grill for sure. That said it's way too small for a lot of my needs, just as the 22" Weber kettle was sidelined for a 26" model. The LSG is large and as you can imagine built like a tank. It's what I'd like to have but budget wise it may not be practical unless you use it all the time. I like Mike's little cart above and may look for something in-between a Gabby's and the LSG myself. OR I may it a wild hair up my butt and drive up to see Chris one of these days

[Panhead John]

If you go Steve, holler at me. I’d like to go too. Maybe we can hit a Q place on the way.

[ofelles]

Ya the 22" kettle size is a concern for me also. I want the LSG, just having trouble justifying it!
He needs to open up a shop out here, the freight is a killer!

[CaptainMike]

Yeah, the freight and the wait are brutal, but you only have to pay for it once and once it gets there the wait is over. My new pellet pooper is sitting in a warehouse in Portland right now waiting to be picked up by a local carrier. So close I can dang near smell it!!!

[rickgregory]

I mean... sure the LSG is nice and it's fine to say 'buy one cry once' but I think you have to look at things like the unit CaptainMike linked above and the others that they sell and ask yourself what capacity you need.

This unit is 36x24, just 6" narrower than the smallest LSG and it's half the price. https://www.santamariagrills.com/pro.../36-x-24-grill

I'd want to check out build quality etc but that's a substantial difference. Heck for the price of the 36x20 LSG you can get this.. (60x30 dual unit) https://www.santamariagrills.com/pro...reen-bbq-model

Again, I'd want to know build quality and see reviews etc but....

[Attjack]

If you go with a kettle accessory I would not go with Gabby's. These are half the cost.

https://www.wayfair.com/Onlyfire--Adjustable-Outdoor-Rotisserie-FGCG8560BS1-L3744-K~OLYF1205.html?refid=GX490221059645-OLYF1205&device=c&ptid=993334989323&network=g&targetid=aud-1614881128740:pla-993334989323&channel=GooglePLA&ireid=129683470&fdid=1817&gclid=CjwKCAjw4ayUBhA4EiwATWyBrnlJOoBB_rtOh8AN66vXedqXa4EGEZrn2UwVrEafONaqddD3zm92FhoCkXkQAvD_BwE

https://www.titangreatoutdoors.com/outdoor-cooking/open-fire-cooking/22-inch-adjustable-kettle-style-grill-attachment/899810.html

[Troutman]

Agree, this is probably a better deal

[Attjack]

On the other hand, if you want a 14, 18, or 26 go to Gabby's.

[Bad Hat BBQ]

Titan looks good to me....really considering this....under 1k

[Andrrr]

Troutman I noticed that math trickery too and it took me a min to figure it out. They’re using the TV sizing strategy and measuring the distance between the opposite corners which is 30”.

[Panhead John]

Andrrr I was also wondering about their measurements and calling it a 30”. That right there pisses me off enough to where I wouldn’t buy it, if I was in the market for one. There’s no need for that kind of BS.

[Andrrr]

Panhead John Technically it’s only 29.83” across so now they really screwed ya! But I agree, whenever I see that kind of stuff anywhere I instantly wonder what else they’re trying to pull over on me.

[MsTwiggy]

I'm not suggesting that you fork out the $1,500 (they are sold out anyways) but since we are mulling over the continuum of possibilities. . . M Grills makes an Apache Live Fire Table. Fun to look at. . .

[CaptainMike]

That looks fun!

[RichieB]

close eyes and run away from this thread...NOW...

[Panhead John]

These people here are terrible I tell ya!

[rickgregory]

so, the kettle accessories seem to only let you get the grill down to the level of the regular grill. One of the advantages of SM grills, as I understand it, is that you can not only lift the grill up, but bring it down almost to the fire. Is that correct?

[rickgregory]

Oh that's a good idea. Hmm...

[Dadof3Illinois]

Good idea @Ms Twiggy, or a second charcoal grate, sit a couple bricks on the bottom grate then the second grate on the bricks to hold the fire?

[Troutman]

With my Gabby's grill I have rarely, if ever even had it down to the Weber kettle grill height. Once you build a fire out of splits and either let the flames kiss the meat or allow coals to build up you are only inches away from the heat source at grate level. It gets really hot and I tend to raise the grate more than lower it personally. That's part of the challenge, to manage the heat level at the ideal height.

[Troutman]

rickgregory Here's what I mean by controlling the heat. If I were to lower the grate any further I'd be scorching the meat.

[CaptainMike]

For most SM cooks the 5 second hand-hold test works pretty well. Just a guess but I think that's in the 325 - 350 range. Raise it up for less, lower it down for more. And, of course, fire management, which is the most funnest part.

[DTro]

I have the Titan attachment. Love it! At 22 inches it may not be big enough to feed a large crowd, but for a couple, or a small group of friends it works well. Bonus on the build quality!

[Panhead John]

How dare you cheat on your Bronco! 😱

[DTro]

Plenty o' fire to go around Panhead John. Bronco gets its love!

[Attjack]

Don't forget you can have a second grate below in some situations.