18" vs. 22"

[Gpinch1]

Hello,

I currently have an 18.5" kettle.

Was wondering if I want to cook the occasional pizza is the 18.5" of for this or should I pick up a 22"?


Thanks,
Greg

[fljoemon]

get the 22 .. and then get the KettlePizza for the best pizza you will ever make :-)

[MikeRocksTheRed]

If you are doing an occasional pizza, and that is it, either would be fine.  If you are going to make pizzas more often than that and it batches of 2-6 pizzas per cook then I'd invest in a 22 (or 26 even) and the Kettle Pizza attachment and accessories.  If you are doing a pizza once or twice a month then I don't know that a new grill and the attacments would be a good investment....although if the pizza bug hits you, the KP is a ton of fun to get dialed in!

[DirectDrive]

I have a 22 and sometimes wish I had a 26.

(I know, sounds like a personal problem)

[Gpinch1]

Thanks for the replies.

Yes, I was going to purchase the KettlePizza unit....... but that Weber pizza unit (from Europe) looks great.

Has anyone have any experience with the Weber one (from Europe)?

[MacEggs]

When the KP (KettlePizza) unit was first released, it was individualized to fit each size kettle ... 18" and 22", as far as I know.

Later, it was then released to fit the 22", with holes that would adapt to fit the 18", as well. 
It will also fit the 26" kettle, but an extra piece needs to be purchased.

The opening / slot to slide the pizza into does not change much from an 18" all the way to a 26" kettle.  It's still the same KP unit.

So with all that said ...... Ideally, I personally believe that the KP is best suited for a 22" kettle.  YMMV

A few members here have had the European (toilet seat) pizza unit .... Not really sure how well it performs.

[Garvinque]

The Kettle Pizza works for both 18 and 22 kettles.

[shelterit]

I would get the KP, try it out on your 18 and see how it works for you. keep an eye out for a 22 in the meantime and if one pops for free or close to it, grab it.  I use a 22 performer for most cooks but have a dedicated 22 silver for my pizza cooks.

[smokster]

I have a pizza-que for 22 (home) and another for 18 (camper).
While I am just starting to learn how to get the most out of them,  it is clear to me the 22 is much easier to use.
My issues seem to be getting a balance between the top and bottom heat.
With the smaller 18, I get too much bottom heat (maybe not enough air flow to get a nice flame in the back, or maybe I just used too much coal).
The 22 gets too much top heat (but is a lot closer to the perfect balance).

Just my 2 cents.

Cheers

[MikeRocksTheRed]

I would think that on an 18 you would have to downsize your stone and pizza diameter to get good results. My 15" stone would be over to many of the coals in the back on an 18 and I would guess that it would get too hot and burn crusts before the tops are cooked.  I'm guessing a 12 or 13 inch stone would be the ideal size on an 18.  That would make for a fun cook for a group.  Instead of 3 pies per batch of dough I'd probably get 5 if I was making smaller pizzas to cook on an 18.  LOL....now I'm thinking I want to get a smaller stone and use my A code 18 that I planned on being a looker to make a batch of smaller pizzas!