Charcoal Baskets New or Old?

[ClubChapin]

Which charcoal baskets do you prefer?  The older wire or the newer stamped?  I've got both and tend to prefer the newer stamped, although I think the older wire ones are nicer.  I think the newer ones fit the kettle better and seem to hold more coal and cover a larger area.

[addicted-to-smoke]

I only have the newer aluminum ones so take my comments with a grain of salt. But they do the job, which for me sometimes includes using them to transport hot coals to another kettle. I wouldn't dare try that with wire baskets. But yeah, they can choke the coals easier probably. (So, I use better charcoal or lump instead.)

[pbe gummi bear]

I have both. While I like the construction of the older wirebasket the sheet metal ones are more functional. They have a larger opening so it's easier to load them with charcoal and they also nest making storage a hell of a lot easier.

[mike.stavlund]

You gotta have both.  Though I think I use the wire-style more often-- they hold the coals farther to the side for indirect cooks. 

[1911Ron]

I only have the newer ones and they work ok.

[jcnaz]

I only have the stamped sheet metal, newer style. They can be very versatile, especially with a little persuasion!

http://weberkettleclub.com/forums/index.php?topic=14778.0

[WNC]

The old one seem more durable than the new ones, but then again I only have the newer version.
I was looking at the older ones on ereplacement parts, but I think with shipping they were almost twice as much.

I like the newer version just fine. I especially like how they raise the coals to right under the grate, really has changed the way i cook.

[Bob BQ]

I prefer the look and feel and durability of the older wire baskets, but they're too tall! The stamped metal ones that I have tend to fall apart if I happen to move them, but the size is perfect. I do have one wire basket that is the same size (length/width/height) as the newer stamped ones. It came with a SS performer that I acquired off of CL and flipped a couple of years ago. Would love to get my hands on another basket or three like that one!