26 or WSM?

[LaTuFu]

Hi all.

I'm planning to make a return to the kettle world after a 10-15 year hiatus. I still regret leaving my 22 behind when I moved.

My question is this...I am torn between a WSM and a kettle. I love to smoke, but I would also like to have the versatility of a kettle for other things. It would probably be a while before I could justify getting both, so I'm thinking the 26 would be a good compromise place to start.

Is there any hole in my logic? Should I consider a 22 instead of a 26?

We're normally only cooking for a family of 4, but we like to roast/smoke whole cuts. I like the idea of the additional volume of the 26, for smoking as well as the occasional larger group cook.

We also have a 5 burner gas grill and a Weber Q 2000 for other duties.

I'd like to have the 26 and/or a WSM to round out the stable.

[indy82z]

I have always said if I could only have one device, it would be a 26'r. It is versatile in that you can use it as a grill or arrange the charcoal in a snake method and use it to smoke. Its also large enough where you would rarely not have enough real estate to cook pretty much anything on it.

Not sure where you are located, but maybe you can find used on craigslist or local members and you could end up with both for about the same cost as one new.

[Jeep]

A 26...grab a 26.

JEEP

[LaTuFu]

Thanks, guys. I'm in Virginia. I've started scoping out CL for sure.

[TexasOnion]

did burgers on my 26 today used a old rusted 22 in cooking grate as my charcoal grate  (raised up on 3 pieces of brick)  worked really well  /// I vote 26`r

[AZRaptor]

I love my WSM but I would agree the 26'r is more versatile. On the other hand between the Q2000 and 5-burner sounds like you have grilling covered so a dedicated smoker may be the ticket.

Personally, I would go with the 26'r.

[ramsfan]

I would go with a 26'er any day of the week over a WSM. I have maintained for years how much better a 26'er is for smoking rather than a WSM. I had 4 WSM's (22.5,18.5,14.5 and the 1880) and I sold all of them except for the 1880. The WSM are good smokers, but they have several drawbacks: First, no wheels. If you want to move it, you can't. Where ever you place it when you start cooking is where it's going to stay. If a storm comes up in the middle of cooking, your screwed and your WSM could blow over if the wind is strong enough during that storm.

Second, three vents to control instead of one. Personally, I don't like to have to keep running around in a circle adjusting different vents just to find that perfect combination sweet spot. A 26'er has one lever to control all the air flow. Third, the vents are down near the ground. I don't like getting down on the ground just to adjust the vents. The vents have no protective rubber grip like the lid vent of a 26'er, so you will have to use your foot or tap it with the side of a spatula to adjust the vents.

Fourth, a water pan to contend with. I don't like to use a water pan. You have to worry about the pan going dry or the water splashing down on the hot charcoal when putting it in or taking it out. I would rather mop my food as I go for needed moisture. Finally, a WSM can only be used for one thing: Smoking! A 26'er can be used for both.

My vote is for a 26'er, no question about it. The only thing that beats a 26'er is a Ranch Kettle  ...and I have one of them too.

[huntergreen]

imho, a 26 incher is more versatile, and a bit cheeper.  wil see more use. can also cook extra for some leftovers.   

[1911Ron]

I would agree the 26" would be very versatile, you can do a lot on it, smoke on it and grill on it with out changing anything.

[MINIgrillin]

I have a bunch of kettles. 26, 22, 18 and a wsm 22. I use the 26. Basically exclusively. Get a 26r.

[jcnaz]

I have both.
If I could only keep one of them, it would be the 26" kettle.