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Grill Talk => Weber Kettle Forum => Topic started by: BillA from CA on July 19, 2017, 11:45:29 AM

Title: stacked kettles = excellent smoker
Post by: BillA from CA on July 19, 2017, 11:45:29 AM
Necessity is the mother of invention...I wanted to smoke a large brisket but it almost covered the grill on my 22 inch kettle so I could not get indirect heat.  No problem...I pulled the legs off, removed the bottom vents, and set it on top of my smaller (18-in) Weber after removing the lid from the small one.  Charcoal and wood chips go in the bottom kettle, smoke and heat rises through the vents in the bottom of the large one and I get perfect smoking.  Temperature control via top vents on the large kettle and bottom vents on the small one. I can reload wood chunks in the small one by briefly removing the large one and I never have to take the lid off the large one. Plenty of room for a drip pan below the grill on the large one.  Total indirect heat with no flare ups from drippings, even without the drip pan since drippings collect in the low spot of the large kettle and the vents are a little higher than that.
Title: Re: stacked kettles = excellent smoker
Post by: bmcneely51 on July 19, 2017, 11:48:50 AM
Got any pics?? Sounds like a cool idea.
Title: Re: stacked kettles = excellent smoker
Post by: BillA from CA on July 19, 2017, 12:41:33 PM
I have a pic, but I am new to this forum and can't figure out how to attach it :(
Title: Re: stacked kettles = excellent smoker
Post by: Neil_VT00 on July 19, 2017, 12:47:18 PM
@Lumpy Coal did something similar a while back:
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/08/30/b409b3ddf789fb5ff9414dea70e84132.jpg)

http://weberkettleclub.com/forums/weber-kettles-accessories/stacker-mod/
Title: Re: stacked kettles = excellent smoker
Post by: BillA from CA on July 19, 2017, 12:55:33 PM
Excellent, except that I did not cut a hole in the lid of the bottom one in my modification.  I just leave the lid lid off the bottom kettle and set the larger kettle into the smaller one. Because of the diameter difference there is enough space between the outside of the large one and the inside of the small one to accommodate charcoal and wood chunks.  Plus, my small one can still be used as a grill with intact lid if I don't use it as a part of the smoker assembly.  My large Kettle is >30 yrs old and still works like a champ in this application
Title: Re: stacked kettles = excellent smoker
Post by: JordanW on July 19, 2017, 03:07:05 PM
Quote from: BillA from CA on July 19, 2017, 12:55:33 PM
Excellent, except that I did not cut a hole in the lid of the bottom one in my modification.  I just leave the lid lid off the bottom kettle and set the larger kettle into the smaller one. Because of the diameter difference there is enough space between the outside of the large one and the inside of the small one to accommodate charcoal and wood chunks.  Plus, my small one can still be used as a grill with intact lid if I don't use it as a part of the smoker assembly.  My large Kettle is >30 yrs old and still works like a champ in this application

..... immediately gets offers for his >30 year old kettle..... 

Welcome to party pal!
Title: Re: stacked kettles = excellent smoker
Post by: greenweb on July 19, 2017, 05:18:06 PM
I have done this already before and have shared my other ideas including this one a while back on previous threads.

Anyways, here is the pic of mine posted before.

(http://pics.weberkettleclub.com/images/2017/07/19/IMG_4385.jpg)
Title: Re: stacked kettles = excellent smoker
Post by: Darko on July 19, 2017, 07:09:16 PM
That is very interesting. I'll have to try it.
Title: Re: stacked kettles = excellent smoker
Post by: BillA from CA on July 19, 2017, 07:27:03 PM
@greenweb: yep - that is it. I'm glad you were able to get a picture posted.  interestingly enough, I sorted for "stacked" before posting and did not see your previous post, although I might have missed it.  It is my first day here and was specifically trying to determine if my idea was new or not. You beat me to it. I do most of my outdoor cooking on this arrangement now.
Title: Re: stacked kettles = excellent smoker
Post by: Fazz on July 20, 2017, 07:12:44 PM
That is really smart. I love this club


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Title: Re: stacked kettles = excellent smoker
Post by: Jon on July 20, 2017, 09:06:45 PM
Human sacrifice! Dogs and cats living together! Mass hysteria! I wouldn't do this - I would separate the flat and the point to split the cook and use one of the other cookers peeking into your pictures.

But it's your food and your cookers. I hope that it turned out great!
Title: Re: stacked kettles = excellent smoker
Post by: Troy on July 20, 2017, 09:23:56 PM
That's inventive!

Probably made a mess of the outer porcelain of the top kettle!
Title: Re: stacked kettles = excellent smoker
Post by: TD on July 20, 2017, 09:35:20 PM
Always wondered if an 18 would fit inside a 22 for a cold weather cooker
Title: Re: stacked kettles = excellent smoker
Post by: crowderjd on July 20, 2017, 11:35:58 PM
@BillA from CA I'd love to see your setup for this...and thanks to @greenweb for your pic.  If we saw some step by step pics for this method I think it would be of interest to everyone...I have an old 18 inches with no lid, and would find a low cost 22 to use this way.  Very nice idea!
Title: Re: stacked kettles = excellent smoker
Post by: BillA from CA on July 21, 2017, 05:31:30 AM
Quote from: greenweb on July 19, 2017, 05:18:06 PM
I have done this already before and have shared my other ideas including this one a while back on previous threads.

Anyways, here is the pic of mine posted before.

(http://pics.weberkettleclub.com/images/2017/07/19/IMG_4385.jpg)
This is exactly the same set-up that I use.  Really simple procedure:
Remove legs from 22"
Remove dampers from 22"
Remove lid from 18"
setup fire and wood chunks on the fire grate in the bottom of the 18".  This takes some experimentation but I normally start with about 14 -19(?) coals in a pile on one side and then make a string of unlit briquettes around the edge of the grate with one end of the string in contact with the lit coals.  They will gradually light and eventually, over a couple hours the whole string will have ben lit and burned.  You can add wood chunks intermittently along the string of coals or add periodically as desired.
Place the 22" on top of the 18" with the fire grate in place if you want to use a drip tray. Put your meat on the 22" grill, close lid.
Open top vents about 1/2 way
Open bottom dampener on the 18" about half way.
Adjusts vent/dampener as needed for desired temperature.
To check coals or add more coals or wood lift the 22" off and set aside. I use welding gloves to grab the outside of my 22" because it will  be really hot and my 22" only has one handle   Leave the lid in place.
Replace the 22" inch and continue cooking after messing with your fire.
Title: Re: stacked kettles = excellent smoker
Post by: BillA from CA on July 21, 2017, 05:33:44 AM
Quote from: Troy on July 20, 2017, 09:23:56 PM
That's inventive!

Probably made a mess of the outer porcelain of the top kettle!
It looks really ugly when done but it actually cleaned up nicely with some scrubbing pads.  It did not appear to crack or degrade the finish.
Title: Re: stacked kettles = excellent smoker
Post by: charred on July 21, 2017, 06:52:43 AM
This is a brilliant innovation. Instead of the WSM, next time I'll use this set up. If it goes well I just may sell the WSMs. I like the multi-tasking aspect of it.

A 3-wheeler 22 would work w/ no mod and it has 2 bowl handles for easy lifting.
Title: Re: stacked kettles = excellent smoker
Post by: charred on July 21, 2017, 06:59:57 AM
Of course, clean-up on a 3-wheeler would be a major PITA.

The double-bowl smoker set up is perfect use for a less-than-pristine OTG bowl. Pretty sure I have at least one that has wasted sweeps.  ;D
Title: Re: stacked kettles = excellent smoker
Post by: crowderjd on July 21, 2017, 07:38:20 AM
Thanks!
Title: Re: stacked kettles = excellent smoker
Post by: BillA from CA on July 21, 2017, 07:49:18 AM
Quote from: charred on July 21, 2017, 06:59:57 AM
Of course, clean-up on a 3-wheeler would be a major PITA.
Mine is a three wheeler.  I removed the three dampeners (well I removed 2 because one was frozen and I was too lazy to grind the nut off) because I don't envision reassembling it again as a stand-alone grill. Also, the tabs on the three dampeners could interfere with the charcoal/wood if you put a thick layer in the bottom of the 18 inch. (there is not a huge space between bottom of the 22-inch and the inside of the  18-inch) 

When I want to do conventional grilling I either just take the 22-inch off and use the 18-inch or I leave the 22-inch in place and put the charcoal rack back in place in the 22-in.  and just leave it sitting on top of the 18-inch.  With the dampener full open on the 18-inch I still get plenty of air through the 18-inch and into the 22-inch to get a blazing hot fire, if needed.
Title: Re: stacked kettles = excellent smoker
Post by: Troy on July 21, 2017, 08:49:01 AM
i think a "beercan" mod where the bottom is cut out and the edges are sealed would be sweet here, but it's not quite as quick and easy as the naked stack.
Title: Re: stacked kettles = excellent smoker
Post by: Al b que on July 21, 2017, 04:29:15 PM
Quote from: BillA from CA on July 19, 2017, 11:45:29 AM
Necessity is the mother of invention...I wanted to smoke a large brisket but it almost covered the grill on my 22 inch kettle so I could not get indirect heat.  No problem...I pulled the legs off, removed the bottom vents, and set it on top of my smaller (18-in) Weber after removing the lid from the small one.  Charcoal and wood chips go in the bottom kettle, smoke and heat rises through the vents in the bottom of the large one and I get perfect smoking.  Temperature control via top vents on the large kettle and bottom vents on the small one. I can reload wood chunks in the small one by briefly removing the large one and I never have to take the lid off the large one. Plenty of room for a drip pan below the grill on the large one.  Total indirect heat with no flare ups from drippings, even without the drip pan since drippings collect in the low spot of the large kettle and the vents are a little higher than that.
Hi BillA. Did you have to run the temp in the bottom higher or use more charcoal?

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Title: Re: stacked kettles = excellent smoker
Post by: greenweb on July 21, 2017, 05:26:29 PM
Mine is almost same  as BillA from CA set up. 22" bowl is my spare 3 wheeler with 3 bowl vents donated to my Green MBH. The bottom can be cut open but not necessary as you are using it for smoking not for grilling. Similar setup as WSM or other egg style smoker. Charcoal on my 18" kettle charcoal grate and a deflector ( 14-15 in pizza pan will do ) on 22" charcoal grate. Might not even be needed as planty of distance from charcoal to the food on the cooking grate on top with lower heat.

I have not done it yet,but I suspect the best set up would be to cut open the bottom of the 22" bowl and place a deflector as I described on the charcoal grate on top. Plenty stable just set on top but if needed .... 2 bowls can be secured better.

As for the porcelain finish outside..... is same as inside the kettle. No need to worry.



Title: Re: stacked kettles = excellent smoker
Post by: BillA from CA on July 22, 2017, 05:12:58 AM

Hi BillA. Did you have to run the temp in the bottom higher or use more charcoal?
[/quote]
Not much.  Unlike offset smokers, the 18" with the coals is immediately below the 22 inch so most of the heat gets transferred into the 22 inch.  I really like this setup because the only modification is the removal of the legs and dampeners on the 22" and if I wanted to I could easily restore the 22 inch to original configuration.  No cutting of holes or anything else and I get plenty of smoke through the 22 inch dampener holes.  In fact I accidentally actually OVER smoked some meat in an early experiment. 
Title: Re: stacked kettles = excellent smoker
Post by: Hell Fire Grill on July 22, 2017, 05:49:39 AM
Quote from: greenweb on July 19, 2017, 05:18:06 PM
I have done this already before and have shared my other ideas including this one a while back on previous threads.

Anyways, here is the pic of mine posted before.

(http://pics.weberkettleclub.com/images/2017/07/19/IMG_4385.jpg)

Wheres the thread, got a link?
Title: Re: stacked kettles = excellent smoker
Post by: charred on July 22, 2017, 12:47:57 PM
Was hoping to use a semi-ratty rescued 22 but so far I've stacked 2 different 22s on 2 different 18s and haven't gotten a decent seal with any combo. Lol.

Title: Re: stacked kettles = excellent smoker
Post by: BillA from CA on July 22, 2017, 01:54:44 PM
Quote from: charred on July 22, 2017, 12:47:57 PM
Was hoping to use a semi-ratty rescued 22 but so far I've stacked 2 different 22s on 2 different 18s and haven't gotten a decent seal with any combo. Lol.
Maybe I got lucky.  My 22" is from about 1982 and my 18 is from about 2007.  I get far more smoke leakage around the lid of my 22 than I do at the intersection of the 22" with the 18".  The only time I got leakage between the 18 and 22 was when I  put a bigger than normal piece of smoking wood in the 18" and it contacted the bottom of the 22" and kept the 22 from completely seating in the rim of the 18.
Title: Re: stacked kettles = excellent smoker
Post by: greenweb on July 22, 2017, 05:14:08 PM
Quote from: Hell Fire Grill on July 22, 2017, 05:49:39 AM
Quote from: greenweb on July 19, 2017, 05:18:06 PM
I have done this already before and have shared my other ideas including this one a while back on previous threads.

Anyways, here is the pic of mine posted before.

(http://pics.weberkettleclub.com/images/2017/07/19/IMG_4385.jpg)

Wheres the thread, got a link?

Here is one I have shared my idea on this last year. I have also mentioned and shown few other completed pics on other threads, which I can not find them at this time.
http://weberkettleclub.com/forums/weber-kettles-accessories/18-fever-the-18-5-appreciation-revolution/msg259793/#msg259793





Quote from: BillA from CA on July 22, 2017, 01:54:44 PM
Quote from: charred on July 22, 2017, 12:47:57 PM
Was hoping to use a semi-ratty rescued 22 but so far I've stacked 2 different 22s on 2 different 18s and haven't gotten a decent seal with any combo. Lol.
Maybe I got lucky.  My 22" is from about 1982 and my 18 is from about 2007.  I get far more smoke leakage around the lid of my 22 than I do at the intersection of the 22" with the 18".  The only time I got leakage between the 18 and 22 was when I  put a bigger than normal piece of smoking wood in the 18" and it contacted the bottom of the 22" and kept the 22 from completely seating in the rim of the 18.

Make sure the 18" bowl is not out of round. Perfect seal on mine.
Title: Re: stacked kettles = excellent smoker
Post by: BillA from CA on July 23, 2017, 07:27:08 AM
Quote from: greenweb on July 21, 2017, 05:26:29 PM
As for the porcelain finish outside..... is same as inside the kettle. No need to worry.

I agree, I have used my set-up since early April in 2016 and no degradation to the finish on the bottom of the exterior of the 22 inch
Title: Re: stacked kettles = excellent smoker
Post by: Al b que on October 08, 2017, 01:27:08 PM
Saw that thread about the stacker double kettle. I had a Jumbo Joe just laying around decided to make my own Stacker

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Title: Re: stacked kettles = excellent smoker
Post by: Al b que on October 08, 2017, 01:27:51 PM
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171008/6fb85444e5874b938e21a2b8245d5423.jpg)

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Title: Re: stacked kettles = excellent smoker
Post by: Schaefd2 on October 08, 2017, 01:53:15 PM
Wtf!!
It ain't stupid if it works!!! It needs a name though! Hourglass smoker? The Curvy Lady??


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Title: Re: stacked kettles = excellent smoker
Post by: BillA from CA on October 08, 2017, 02:20:56 PM
I like to think of it as my own little Transformer....now it is two normal kettles....then it is a super smoker...then back to two kettles, all while keeping the world safe from lesser forms of cooking!
Title: Re: stacked kettles = excellent smoker
Post by: Schaefd2 on October 08, 2017, 02:36:39 PM
Transformer. I like it!


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