Weber Kettle 26 (or 22 for that matter) vs the Weber 24 Kamado Summit?????
Many of us now know that Weber is or is about to start offering this unit without gas assist or a table mount (it sits on a tripod like other kettles) for $999. I have been having a ball trying to decide between the 22 and the 26 kettles to come live with my PBC and my Jumbo Joe 18.........now I am interested in the new 24 entrant at the new price!
The biggest obvious difference is price......huge difference, but that aside, which is best and why?? Is this Kamado worth that grand?
Do you have experience with either or both? Would love to hear from you!
Tom
Last edited by Alabama Smoke; November 24, 2020, 04:56 PM.
The Weber Kamado (formerly WSCG) is the most versatile grill I have ever used. It is an insulated Kamado that kills it as both a smoker and a regular kettle grill. You can use it like your Jumbo Joe as a regular Kamado or raise the fire grate and use it like a Performer.
Indirect for smoking or create two zones for indirect grilling or use the full charcoal grate for 100% direct grilling. The charcoal grate can be placed at two different levels. Holds temp rock steady. I have never had to add charcoal on a long Low and Slow cook. To answer your question the Weber Kamado hands down beats the 22 & 26. I paid $1700 for my WSCG with table. I would pay that again.
I truly thank you for these detailed comments as well as your experience.
Have watched the video you referenced above twice and the Maniac certainly likes his. His only negative comment I picked up on was a customer service issue with Weber over a leaky lid gasket which could indeed be an issue. Seems he would have removed the gasket and added the new one they eventually provided though. Have you or anyone reading this experienced this on this cooker? Bad design or just bad gasket?
Alabama Smoke I am happy to help. I have had no issues with my gasket. My only issue was with the gas igniter. I am going to call Weber to have them send me a replacement.
No issues with my gasket, unless I run the remote thermometer cable under it, then I sometimes get a minor leak, so I simply run the cable through the chimney.
Weber Summit Kamado with SnS and Vortex.. Broil King Baron, Primo Oval Junior. Primo XL. Love grilling steaks, ribs, and chicken. Need to master smoked salmon. Absolutely love anything to do with baking bread. Favorite cool weather beer: Sam Adams Octoberfest Favorite warm weather beer: Yuengling Traditional Lager. All-time favorite drink: Single Malt Scotch
I have a Weber 26†kettle, and I love it for the real estate it offers. On one hand though, the lid is very large, and a bit awkward to me. The Weber kamado has a hinged lid that alleviates the problem. The kamado is insulated, so it is fuel efficient, and very temperature stable. The 26†is not insulated, and takes a learning curve to be able to control temps, but control is possible. The 26†ran about $300 new when I bought mine, significantly less than the Weber kamado.
That being said, I am seriously considering the kamado myself. I lost my Akorn to the elements, and have been looking for a replacement.
Fast Eddy's Cook Shack PG 1000
Humphrey's Pint with Fireboard + Pit Viper
Hasty-Bake 256 Gourmet Dual Finish
Camp Chef DLX pellet pooper/sear burner/jerky rack
Broil King Keg Kamado
Charbroil Kamander
Original Pit Barrel Cooker
Barrel House Cooker
Akorn Kamado with cart
WSM 22 with Flame Boss
WSM 18.5 with Flame Boss
Weber Kettle Performer (with Slow n Sear/Drip n Griddle)
Weber Jumbo Joe
Weber Smokey Joe
Weber Q gasser with stand
Blackstone Griddle 22 with stand and lid
Blackstone Griddle 36
Akorn Kamado jr
So this means they were charging 500 for the gas assist...... where the hell is my chimney starter!!! Yeah it's a really attractive cooker at this price point.
My thoughts also tenphases. I use a chimney all the time. I think you can buy a propane torch for less than $50 (might be somewhat more expensive, not sure). Much less than the built in assist.
I have a Weber 26†kettle, and I love it for the real estate it offers. On one hand though, the lid is very large, and a bit awkward to me. The Weber kamado has a hinged lid that alleviates the problem. The kamado is insulated, so it is fuel efficient, and very temperature stable. The 26†is not insulated, and takes a learning curve to be able to control temps, but control is possible. The 26†ran about $300 new when I bought mine, significantly less than the Weber kamado.
That being said, I am seriously considering the kamado myself. I lost my Akorn to the elements, and have been looking for a replacement.
You should consider adding a handle. It will solve your lid issue.
I have a kettle of each size 26, 22, 18, and 14. I also have a Primo XL kamado and if I didn't I would seriously consider the Weber Kamado even though I think round isn't the best shape. On the other hand, I picked up the Primo for $500, and at that price, it certainly beats the pants off the Weber Kamado.
I have a Primo Junior, and I would soooo love an XL to go with it. At the same price point, I would probably go with the Weber, but you got a steal on the Primo! I love the oval shape.
Weber S-335 gas grill
Weber 26†kettle
Weber 22†kettle
Camp Chef XL Smoke Vault
Camp Chef 3 Burner cook top
Camp Chef Woodwind 36 Pellet grill with sidekick burner
PBC
Accessories:
SnS XL
SnS standard
Vortex
Weber Rotisserie for 22†Kettle
1st gen FireBoard
2nd gen FireBoard
Griddle for Camp Chef cooktop
Several Thermoworks items
Set of Grill Grates
I love my kettles....I have both a 22" and 26", the 26" gets the majority of the work load because of it's extra space. For the money, I'm not sure you can find a better more versatile grill/smoker on the market.
I have never cooked on the Weber Kamado so I can't compare them at all, Weber makes really good products so I'm sure either will one would serve you well.
My toys:
Weber Summit Charcoal Grilling Center (WSCGC) aka Mr. Fancypants
Pit Barrel Cooker (which rocks), named Pretty Baby
Weber Summit S650 Gas Grill, named Hot 'n Fast (used mostly for searing and griddling)
Weber Kettle Premium 22" named Kettle Kid, eager to horn in with more cooks in the future
Camp Chef Somerset IV 4-burner outdoor gas range named AfterBurner due to its 30kBTU burners
Adrenaline BBQ Company Gear:
SnS Low Profile, DnG, and Large Charcoal Basket, for WSCGC
SnS Deluxe for 22" Kettle
Elevated SS Rack for WSCGC
SS Rack for DnG
Cast Iron Griddle
Grill Grate for SnS
Grill Grates: five 17.375 sections (retired to storage)
Grill Grates: six 19.25 panels for exact fit for Summit S650
gasser
Grill Grates for 22" Kettle
2 Grill Grate Griddles
Steelmade Griddle for Summit gas grill
Fireboard Gear:
Extreme BBQ Thermometer Package
Additional control unit
Additional probes: Competition Probes 1" (3) and 4" (1), 3 additional Ambient Probes. 1 additional Food Probe
2 Driver Cables
Pit Viper Fan (to pair with Fireboard Fan Driver Cable)
Pit Viper Fan new design (to pair with Fireboard Fan Driver Cable)
Thermoworks Gear:
Thermapen MK4 (pink)
Thermapen Classic (pink too)
Thermoworks MK4 orange
Temp Test 2 Smart Thermometer
Extra Big and Loud Timer
Timestick Trio
Maverick ET 73 a little workhorse with limited range
Maverick ET 733
Maverick (Ivation) ET 732
Grill Pinz
Vortex (two of them)
18" drip pan for WSCGC
Ceramic Spacers for WSCGC in Kamado Mode: 2 sets each 1/2", 1", 2". The 2" spacers work best with the 18" drip pan. The 1+1/2 inch spacers work best with the 14 inch cake pan.
Two Joule Sous Vide devices
3 Lipavi Sous Vide Tubs with Lids: 12, 18 and 26 quarts
Avid Armor Ultra Pro V32 Chamber Sealer
Instant Pot 6 Quart Electric Pressure Cooker
Instant Pot 10 Quart Electric Pressure Cooker
Charcoal Companion TurboQue
A-Maze-N tube 12 inch tube smoker accessory for use with pellets
BBQ Dragon and Dragon Chimney
Shun Classic Series:
8" Chef Knife
6" Chef's Knife
Gokujo Boning and Fillet Knife
3 1/2 inch Paring Knife
If you can swing it, the WSCG should move in with your PBC and Jumbo Joe. My PBC is envious every time I fire Mr. Fancypants up, but I ignore her.
The fact that you get every inch of the 24" grill real estate when you use it in kamado mode makes it a real winner for smoking large amounts, even compared to the available real estate of the 26" kettle when in smoker mode. For smaller cooks, the SnS is great (if you can find a low profile one), reducing the available real estate significantly as it does with all kettles. In kettle mode, you can't beat using this solid insulated cooker with a hinged lid. Rock solid performance. Nothing not to like.
Alabama Smoke I’ve added a heat deflector/drip pan to my PBC. Just install 3 bolts just above the charcoal basket to set a grate on. Then set a drip pan on the grate. My PBC likes to run about 240 with the pan in place. I sometimes use the drip pan for a more traditional bbq flavor, but there’s certain things that are much better without a drip pan.
So I have been considering a 24 as well, It may be a year, but the idea of having all 24 inches, for smoking grate, is just awesome. I Also love the idea of a handle and hinge for not having to lift a grill lid on and off. Any problems with 2 briskets on the 24. I would think it would work?
Richard Chrz , you can easily fit two 10-12 lb trimmed briskets on the 24" WSCG in kamado mode.
Alabama Smoke, you need a low profile SnS for the WSCG. I'm hoping with the new design and lower price, more of them will be sold and David Parrish at Adrenaline BBQ will do a special run of the Low Profile SnS model once again.
I had a performer and now a WSCG. I didn't do a lot of smoking on the performer mostly grilling, but did smoke things a couple times there with the SnS. In the end they do the same things, but the WSCG just does it easier and more efficiently. Holds temps more steady, seems to get a little hotter when trying to make a scorching fire, etc. Definitely burns a lot less fuel when smoking.
The SnS Low Profile is nice, but is not necessary. It's handy for smaller smokes, but I don't see where it does anything different as far as the outcome of the final product. SnS Grills still makes a charcoal basket that can be used similarly to the SnS that works in the WSCG. https://snsgrills.com/collections/sl...harcoal-basket
Agree with fzxdoc that the real estate over a 22 is great. I also like that you have the two different grate levels. You can direct grill in the lower position and I've done that a couple times with things like chicken and chops where I want it fairly hot but not so intense.
glitchy I have the SnS basket and use it in my Jumbo Joe. Yes, I can see how it will fit the 24" . Now that I review the lineup in your link. The basket is a lower profile than the others. I had not realized that until now. Thanks so much for your comments and for sharing your experience.
I agree with all the fellow WSCG owners. For years I only had a kettle with your basic ash pan but it served me well paired with a rotisserie. Maybe 8 years back I added a 22â€WSM and that was a blast to use but shortly after joining here I got the SnS for my Kettle and the WSM started seeing less play time. For my typically smaller smokes the kettle was just easier to use and used a lot less fuel. Then around March of this year I came upon a WSCG and grabbed it. This caused me to use everything else significantly less.
Fast forward to today, I sold my WSM and now my kettle basically gets used for the rotisserie or as a place to let my chimney cool down. To me it’s not just that the WSCG is versatile but all the versatility is built in to it vs having to use gadgets in kettles to get the same results. It seems that the point everyone brings up is that for the price of a WSCG you can buy a 26†kettle and all the gadgets you want, which is a fair point. But even with that I think it says something that everyone that has ponied up for one has no regrets and is incredibly happy with the purchase.
Also to address your question about the SnS in the WSCG you are correct that you need to have the low profile SnS and it’s no longer made. But I would say you don’t really need it because it already has a diffuser for indirect. The SnS is obviously easier to fill but I’ve never even come close to running out of coal in the WSCG. It still amazes me how much is left even on 12hr cooks.
Last edited by Andrrr; November 25, 2020, 10:17 AM.
Andrrr I really appreciate your comments based on your experiences. Everyone's input makes it so much easier to make good decisions. Thanks also for answering a question I had raised earlier also. Thinking more and more the equipt is worth it's price.
No problem. There certainly is a wealth of knowledge here on the WSCG and it certainly helped me out a lot. I wish I could use a ceramic kamado just to see how it compares in ease of use, etc. I will say having that Weber ash catcher is very nice though. I would imagine it’s a lot easier to clean than a traditional kamado and you won’t have any issues with ash potentially blocking airflow
I agree with all above. When I was deciding to pony up $1,000 (I found a used or should say new pre-owned WSCGC) for what looks to be a fancy Weber Performer I read the reviews here and other places of current owners. Every single one has raved about the grill! All of them!! When asked they all say the same thing. It would be THE grill they would keep if they were only allowed one cooker. I also would keep the WSCGC if that were the one grill I would choose! Good Luck!!
I have a 22, 26, 14, and a 22 WSM. I would get rid of my 22wsm, and my 22 kettle for a 24 Summit I would want a table though. Although, I use the heck out of my 22 kettle with table as a daily driver. I may miss that, grill.
Last edited by Richard Chrz; November 25, 2020, 02:45 PM.
@fzdoc I have so many question. Can you disconnect and remove the gas start assist? Use that hole for something else? I would rather have less attached. (who knows, I may love it.?) and if I buy one without a table, do you think it can be modified to a custom table? I am slowly rolling this idea out for late next year. I want that diffuser set up, and the handle - hinge set up would be perfect for me, that would make things much easier.
I think it might be pretty easy to disconnect the SnapJet ignition, leaving an opening of perhaps an inch diameter, Richard Chrz . A custom table would work as well. The solid table on the WSCGC is great, though--its of an excellent quality and is the perfect work surface and storage area. I removed the charcoal storage bin to open up more area for storage. Everything I need for a kettle grill or kamado cook on the WSCGC is at my fingertips, except, of course, the charcoal.
Weber Kettle 26 (or 22 for that matter) vs the Weber 24 Kamado Summit?????
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