Got my first 22" Kettle back in 2004 as a gift from my parents. Big year it was. Married, first born son that year. Many fond memories surrounding that time. Starting out grilling I committed plenty of "grill sins". Started with lighter fluid and that special flavor it adds to food. Eventually I graduated to Match Light charcoal thinking "WOW! That got the fire going fast." Time to burn some burgers over direct heat for too long because I made those patties too thick so I'll flip them 45 times. Burnt and over seasoned chicken anyone? Even the scare of trichinosis caused me to ruin perfectly good pork chops almost every time they hit the grill. Since then I've discovered the beauty of a chimney, indirect cooks, and reverse sear steaks. I've even challenged myself this winter to trying ribs for the first time using this crazy thing called the snake method. O how my grilling brain has expanded over the years. I can't brag too much, I just bought my first set of Weber charcoal baskets last week. Ha! But my mod game is growing, stuffed 3 racks of baby backs flat on the 22" with the help of a second raised 18" grate Tuesday night. They turned out better than my first attempt.
All this has come to a tipping point. This grilling/smoking/bbq adventure has merged with the fact that my family has grown from one son in '04 to my wife and I expecting our 5th this June. Indirect space is at a premium and often I find my steak going on last so the rest of the family can get fed first. I need some input as I primarily grill, but am dabbling in smoking more and more. I know I want to try my first brisket in the near future. I've contemplated many of choices. From the temporary period where I "needed" a Summit charcoal to buying a 22" Performer for the table but ignoring the fact it won't give me anymore grill room. I even thought about buying a 22" WSM just because.
I've eliminated some of the "outlandish wants" and am focusing on the other "wants" that seem a little more justified. I'll be keeping my original 22" Kettle. Now for the options.
I found a used Summit charcoal (not the grilling center) in my area for sale at a reasonable price.
My local Ace has a 26" Premium in stock. (can't seem to find 26" grills used often)
If I bought the Summit I probably wouldn't be looking to buy a smoker right away. If I went the route of the 26" I may get a WSM in the future if I start to smoke more meats.
For both I would be building a Performer like cart to set them in. It would satisfy my desire for a table close to the grill and both choices would increase my cooking space. And instead of buying a Blackstone I will be making a circular Mojoe style griddle that sits on top of whatever I buy.
So, what say you? Fire away. I'm ready to upgrade and want to keep the initial purchase price within reason (depending on what model I'm looking at)
Without hesitation, go for the 26. Why? Tons of indirect space, portability, versatility, and lower price than the 22 WSM and the Summit.
You will not regret it. Lots of space and you can do high heat, bake/roast, and low and slow.
For me, you cant go wrong with a 26, lots of room for Indirect/smoking. room for your whole meal for your whole family! I will never be without my 26
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Someone else on here has mentioned just removing the cover off a grill you are not using & using that as an extra work table. Someone even got fancy and cut & stained wood to sit inside the kettle. Obviously, you could cut a circle or square that would overhand & just put some wood blocks on the underside to fit in the kettle & prevent it from getting knocked off.
Just giving you some ideas that would be less work.
Quote from: PotsieWeber on March 14, 2019, 07:55:47 AM
Someone else on here has mentioned just removing the cover off a grill you are not using & using that as an extra work table. Someone even got fancy and cut & stained wood to sit inside the kettle. Obviously, you could cut a circle or square that would overhand & just put some wood blocks on the underside to fit in the kettle & prevent it from getting knocked off.
Just giving you some ideas that would be less work.
That's a pretty handy idea. Thanks for sharing. I enjoy building things so the drop in cart is my dream scenario for this next purchase (I got hooked on the idea ever since I saw robert-r's 26" Performer XL) but this could really work well until I get that accomplished.
I've got an 22 inch with a table (a really nice red mist SSP).
But, after seeing someone else suggest it, I use sometimes use that method if I'm using a WSM or a grill.
I have an old 26, but can't advise because I haven't put it together & cooked on it yet.
26er without a doubt. Thats my next purchase right there, as well!
Quote from: avega2792 on March 14, 2019, 09:53:06 AM
26er without a doubt. Thats my next purchase right there, as well!
you won't regret the purchase
Thanks for the input so far. The 26" seems to be a pretty popular grill.
I certainly have been leaning towards the 26" but the thought of the Summit possibly being a better cooker all around (and at a used price) had me debating.
I would say that it depends on the price of the Summit. Thing is... you can do anything on a Weber kettle. Sure sometimes more effort is involved, and perhaps grill space isn't there. But... at that point there are options. Maybe use 2 kettles, maybe get a 26"... maybe a Summit. In the end you won't go wrong with a Weber. It's all about what works the best for you.
Quote from: Darko on March 14, 2019, 01:30:22 PM
I would say that it depends on the price of the Summit. Thing is... you can do anything on a Weber kettle. Sure sometimes more effort is involved, and perhaps grill space isn't there. But... at that point there are options. Maybe use 2 kettles, maybe get a 26"... maybe a Summit. In the end you won't go wrong with a Weber. It's all about what works the best for you.
I totally agree with you on Kettles. They do many things well. And if it wasn't for my larger family the 22" would be more than adequate. The price of the Summit is still fairly considerable (compared to a new 26") equal to some of the newer Genesis gassers, but almost half what it would cost new so the option there is spurred on only by a used discounted price. In the mid of winter a Summit would be a luxury but not something a 26" can't overcome without some extra work.
I think I know which way I am leaning, just wasn't sure if I was silly to pass up an opportunity to get the Summit instead.
As far as space is concerned for smoking I tried this out this week for ribs, will probably do something similar on a 26" with a 22" grate.
I haven't tried a summit but a 26 is an absolute necessity and a great value in my book.
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I have owned and cooked on a good number of grills over the years... some being pretty darn nice. Out of all of the charcoal grills I have owned and cooked on, the 26.75 kettle has been my favorite. Simple, almost indestructible, big and it just works!
Get the Charcoal Summit if the price is right. No need to buy 26er or WSM. Indirect cooking space on the Summit is just as much if not more than 26er. Not to mention more fuel efficient cooker.
Look into this:
https://smoke-ez.com/ (https://smoke-ez.com/)
I own two of them, and love them. Just increase the water pan size to an 18" stainless steel mixing bowl, fill with crumpled aluminum foil, and cover it with a sheet of aluminum foil, slightly dished to catch the drips. No water. Best rib makin' machine I have ever used. Best of all, you use it on your existing 22. :)
Quote from: greenweb on March 14, 2019, 10:28:30 PM
Get the Charcoal Summit if the price is right. No need to buy 26er or WSM. Indirect cooking space on the Summit is just as much if not more than 26er. Not to mention more fuel efficient cooker.
I think it's the same one listed in the Online Find forum. I didn't see it in that forum until after I was looking on Craiglist. It's still a bit more than what I really want into a charcoal grill at this point I think. I could almost buy both the 26" kettle and a 22" WSM for what its listed at. I guess I have analysis paralysis when it comes to what to upgrade to.
Quote from: hawgheaven on March 15, 2019, 03:32:37 AM
Look into this:
https://smoke-ez.com/ (https://smoke-ez.com/)
I own two of them, and love them. Just increase the water pan size to an 18" stainless steel mixing bowl, fill with crumpled aluminum foil, and cover it with a sheet of aluminum foil, slightly dished to catch the drips. No water. Best rib makin' machine I have ever used. Best of all, you use it on your existing 22. :)
I like the idea of adding the smoking/and or roti rings. Did you have any experience with Cajun Bandit or other offerings to compare to the Smoke-EZ?
I checked that smoke ez site and it says they are out of stock and not in production right now.
Hmm. Bummer. I just looked at the design, didn't hit the store link
On another note I swung back into Ace today and admired the 26" I've been eyeing up for about 2 months now. It's still there. ;D
And of course the ad for the Summit is still active as well. Decisions.
Jesus. Now all I can think about is trichinosis.
WSM's are nothing but Kettles with middle sections and lots of leak spots. Smoking can be done better and more easily without the middle section. Get a 26er. All those gadgets you are talking about are kind of useless. A Kettle with Weber baskets and some heavy duty aluminum foil is really all that is needed.
Keep an eye out for a used 26er. I'm sure that will more than work out for what you need.
Quote from: avega2792 on March 15, 2019, 12:22:44 PM
Keep an eye out for a used 26er. I'm sure that will more than work out for what you need.
Uhh. This just popped up.
https://chicago.craigslist.org/wcl/for/d/wheaton-weber-charcoal-grill-26-inch/6842410452.html
I was going to give youna heads up about that!