Forum for the 26" kettle?

[Zippo Guy]

Have noticed it is different direct cooking on 26 inch. I have been using the baskets,  is this the best method for this type of cooking? The coals seem more far away than when using my 22 inch. Does that make sense?

[michaelmilitello]

For direct cooking, I’d put the baskets together to concentrate the heat.   You can also bank the coals in one place.   Other guys have modified their baskets as pictured to make a single basket for two zone cooks.  If you want to spend some coin, a slow n sear XL is a great choice.   The regular 22 slow n sear works well in the 26 too. 



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[Kneab]

Marty's bigger better basket is one of my favorite ways to cook on my 26
Reverse searing pork chops or steaks.
Smoking 2 to 4 racks of ribs.

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[racedvl]

Have noticed it is different direct cooking on 26 inch. I have been using the baskets,  is this the best method for this type of cooking? The coals seem more far away than when using my 22 inch. Does that make sense?

The coals are further away because the distance between the charcoal grate and food grate is greater than in a 22" kettle.  Making a larger basket will give you more coals in a concentrated area,  but will not get the coals closer to the food grate.  A slow n sear XL can take you up to the food grate, with the coals. I have a snsxl and it never leaves my 26'r. The down side is that it is expensive.  However, it is very well built, and should last you a very, very long time.

*Note.  I also included a picture of a sns for a 22 next to the snsxl to show size difference.  The 22" version is slightly shorter and smaller,  but many guys say it would also work just as well in a 26'r. Then if you still use a 22" it would work in your 22" and 26".

https://snsgrills.com/collections/slow-n-sear

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[HoosierKettle]

Have noticed it is different direct cooking on 26 inch. I have been using the baskets,  is this the best method for this type of cooking? The coals seem more far away than when using my 22 inch. Does that make sense?

I guess it depends on what your cooking and how much. If I’m cooking burgers for example, I don’t use any baskets. I simply spread coals out over half of the charcoal grate and cook the burgers there. If I’m cooking a ton of burgers I will spread coals out over 3/4 of the charcoal grate.

The main difference between the 26 and the 22 is the 26” uses the same size lid vent and it really needs to be larger. You have to crack the lid at times to keep all of the coals going on a direct cook. I like to cook burgers fast and with high heat.

Sometimes I’ll use baskets to do a quick sear on something that I cook indirect but normally I just pile the coals up on one side of the kettle with no basket.


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[Foster Dahlet]

The SnS XL never leaves my 26er.  I use it for every cook.

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[wingnutt]

I just modified my baskets to convert to Bro'n'Sear.  I can change them right back if needed, but I really like the one, big hopper.

[cigarman20]

When doing direct cooks with lump on my 26”, I lay an old 22” grate on the coal grate to Keep the smaller pieces from falling through.


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[Darko]

That works throughout the range. An SJ cooking grate fits an 18 charcoal grate, an 18 fits a 22, a 22 fits a 26,

[HoosierKettle]

That works throughout the range. An SJ cooking grate fits an 18 charcoal grate, an 18 fits a 22, a 22 fits a 26,

I never knew. Does a 26” grate fit the ranch coal grate?


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[michaelmilitello]

That works throughout the range. An SJ cooking grate fits an 18 charcoal grate, an 18 fits a 22, a 22 fits a 26,

I never knew. Does a 26” grate fit the ranch coal grate?   It’s the killagrilla grate though not the Weber grate.


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I don’t think it does.  I used my 26 grate to transfer wings to the ranch. 



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[Darko]

That works throughout the range. An SJ cooking grate fits an 18 charcoal grate, an 18 fits a 22, a 22 fits a 26,

I never knew. Does a 26” grate fit the ranch coal grate?


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No, thats where it stops.

[smcbee]

A section for 26 would be much appreciated

smcbee