Soon-to-be Weber Summit Charcoal (S6) Owner - Accessory suggestions

[pchadwick78]

Hello! I'm new to the forum (although I think I've read about every post now...) and recently pulled the trigger on a Weber Summit S6 (2nd gen w/cart). First off - huge thanks to this forum for being a wealth of knowledge... really helped me make a final decision.

Backstory - after going through a second set of burners and other rusted parts on my Broil King Signet (some of which had already been replaced a time or two over about 10 years) - I decided my next grill would be charcoal. I also own a Masterbuilt 40" XL propane-fueled cabinet-style smoker - which is great for capacity and has generally yielded me great results. It stays in my garage, so it's held up very well over the years.

I was basically set on the Weber Performer Deluxe (kettle w/cart), thinking I'd still use my Masterbuilt for most smoking - and buy some gadgets (e.g. SNS, Vortex, etc.) to make it even more versatile for smoking with the space available on the 22" grate (which I had a little concerns about size-wise, but wanted the table on the performer and they don't make a 26" performer).

However, the more I learned of the Weber S6, the more I began to feel like this would be the ultimate in versatility for grilling, roasting, smoking all in one cooker, with a higher quality build.... Like many, I initially balked at the price... but given what I researched, I felt like it's probably worth the high price tag in long-term value and with the intent of possibly even replacing the Masterbuilt as my go-to smoker and for certain replacing the BroilKing for grilling - so a consolidation of cookers move.

I found one for ~$1700 (brand new in the box, w/tax, delivery included) via Greentoe.com (which prohibits me from sharing the actual retailer's name) and now I'm waiting on delivery. I feel like that's as good a price as I'd find on that unit.

As I'm waiting, I'm putting together my list of accessories (#1 being a cover)... and am curious what folks feel are the best accessories (most used, couldn't do without...)? Feel free to share your thoughts... Thanks, -Pat

[Alan Brice]

Welcome fr Cincy Oh. Enjoy your new grill n post the results here! Def a cover. Some protective gloves are nice. A pair of tongs n a spatula. Should get you fairly close.

[HawkerXP]

Welcome to the Pit! I'm a Performer lover. I have 3 now but believe I've owned 6.

[au4stree]

I could do without it, but really do enjoy the use of my SnS in my S6. Certainly I can bank the coals and achieve similar results, but I find myself cooking/smoking with the SnS more than I do without it. One thing that bugs be about most "kamado" style grills is the use of a deflector, which is necessary for indirect cooking. But the smell/aroma of vaporized grease is not pleasant. That means you have to be especially aware in the use of a drip pan with water to catch the fattier cuts (like pork shoulder, brisket, etc). The SnS allows me to avoid that scenario. I've even tinkered with a snake method in the Weber Kamado, turned out great.

I do know lots of folks that sing the praises of the vortex, I have not experience with it. One thing I hear/read a lot about on the vortex is that wings are the best. I can get the wings I like just fine using my SnS.

[pchadwick78]

People seem to like using the SNS in the S6. Do you have the low profile version? Seems like the SNS might be good for shorter cooks/searing, whereas kamado mode might be nice for long cooks (boston butt, brisket, etc.) Good points on the drip pan and protecting the deflector plate. I'm seeing a lot of folks place a full size tin roasting pan or two smaller pans in there to catch the drippings and/or foil wrapping the entire deflector itself.

[au4stree]

Yes, I bought a low profile many moons ago. I can get 7-9 hours of low and slow in the SnS. The summit is a wonderfully insulated unit that things are more efficient. You’re going to love cooking on that unit, very versatile.

[ofelles]

Welcome from the California Delta.

[Draznnl]

Welcome to the Pit from southwest Florida. Do you have a cover ordered already?

[pchadwick78]

Not yet. That's the first accessory I'll be ordering. I'm almost scared to put it outside, given the cost... but it looks like it's made to last (with a cover) with the weather elements.

[RonB]

Welcome to The Pit.

[CaptainMike]

Digital thermometer like Smoke, Maverick, or Fireboard, SnS and Vortex.

[pchadwick78]

I actually have a decent Inkbird 4 probe digital thermometer I've been using (wifi enabled - which is nice). My long term goal is a Fireboard w/Pit Viper fan.. although I want to try using it without temperature control gadgetry to see how well it holds temp without automated "help".

[CaptainMike]

You will not be disappointed with how it runs. Once you get it dialed in it will hold steady for hours! The sweet spots for mine are 250, 300, and 375, although I can get it to 600-700 for making pizzas.

[Mosca]

Welcome! I actually was gifted a BK Signet that needs to have the grease tray replaced, got any tips?

[pchadwick78]

It's a good grill - it gets super hot and I have the aluminum GrillGrates product on it which really help it cook super evenly. But the last time I replaced the burners (which will corrode out, even being stainless) they didn't last a year (I don't think the parts are made as well as they used to be). It's a good grill, but it's not like "Weber Genesis" good.... It served me well - but they don't last forever. Pretty much any of the parts can be replaced though - Amazon for the most part.

[Panhead John]

You can get a $26. Vortex knockoff on Amazon for the searing if you want. Plus you want one anyway for crispy chicken wings. The vortex can be used upside down too for searing larger cuts of meats. And I agree with getting a good thermometer.

[Smoked Transistors]

A couple options i purchased separately for my S6 Summit Kamado were a Weber stainless steel expansion grill rack, a Weber rake for moving coals around at bottom charcoal grate.
The S6 also does not include any charcoal grate lifting tool which i feel should have be included with this type purchase. I also purchased a Kamado JoeTisserie and slightly modified it which really was not needed but fun to have.

[pchadwick78]

Any particular brand or type of grill lifting tool to recommend?

[Smoked Transistors]

https://www.chargriller.com/products/grate-lifter Super cheap , does the job

[Andrrr]

The cover is always a good idea.
A cheap paint brush for helping the ash get through the vent on the bottom. The sweeper gets a lot but not all.
I use a little plastic scraper for cast iron pans from Lodge to scrape any grease and gunk that lands on the inside of the bowl. It works really well.
Not necessary but I’ve liked having a second charcoal grate. The lower level grate stays in place all the time and the top one comes in and out as needed. A grate lifting tool would be handy as well but not necessary.

i like to keep it clean, hence the two cleaning recommendations. Other than that you really don’t need anything, it’s just a great all around unit.

[CaptainMike]

I like that 2nd charcoal grate idea, especially for using the snapjet to light a chimney. I don't think the S6 has the snapjet, but a great idea anyway.

[Andrrr]

Yep. No messing around with a hot grate

[glitchy]

The kamado can pretty much cook anything as it comes. It’s just what matters to you. I actually really like my SnS and Vortex both. I won’t recommend buying the knock off por-tex since it’s still pretty affordable to buy the original and support the person that made it happen. The expansion rack is great if you need space. You can buy baskets to help with lump if you desire. I have the most accessories for my least used grill for some reason. It’s just easy to go overboard on I guess.

Anyway, welcome to the Pit! Glad you are here and I’m sure you’ll love the Kamado. If you plan to smoke a lot of smaller meals, my first choice would be the SnS while you can still get it.

[jfmorris]

I would say you can likely cook anything you want without spending another dime. If you were to spend money on anything, I will second an expansion or elevated cooking grate for more room when you need it. Other times I would consider might the SNS Low Profile if its in stock, or even a set of Grillgrates. I use Grillgrates on my charcoal grills often when doing a full grill 1-zone setup, for example, cooking burgers for a big cookout, to prevent flareups from all the fat dripping. I mostly do 2 zone cooking though, so the Grillgrates are usually stored on the shelf under the grill.

[Old Glory]

S&S Low Profile
Vortex
Reducer Ring fro Ceramic Grill Store

[pchadwick78]

Interesting- what is the reducer all about? Concentrating the charcoal in a smaller footprint?

[Old Glory]

pchadwick78 yes it allows you to reduce the footprint of the charcoal grate and use less fuel. Not a necessity but it is nice to have. I bought it before the S&S went back on sale. You can do the same thing with that tool though.