Slow N Sear vs. Charcoal Baskets vs. Snake

[TXFlyGuy]

So what works best? Is the Slow N Sear hands down the winner? For low & slow smoking, is it better?
How about the standard charcoal baskets? I use them all the time. And is the snake method better for long cook times, say 10 hours or longer?

Edit: Finished reading the review posted here. But what is the experience of the rest of the forum members? Is this that much better than my dual charcoal baskets?

[Kneab]

Snake is probably the only option for 10+ hours.
Slow and sear probably 6-8 hours on Weber coals.
Baskets.... no Idea how long they will run for but I do use them for some cooks.

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[JEBIV]

10 plus is always a snake for me, I love my SNS but not for long slow cooks, I am picky about building my snake so it allows a nice cocktail and an occasional cigar while building the snake, bonding time with the grill !!

[TXFlyGuy]

That's what I figured. America's Test Kitchen has a very good "How To" video on smoking a Brisket Texas Style, on a Weber using the snake method. It turned out very nice. And that is an upcoming cook for me.

So this begs the question...how many briquets will the SNS hold? And how many will two Weber charcoal baskets hold (I have never counted)?

[michaelmilitello]

That's what I figured. America's Test Kitchen has a very good "How To" video on smoking a Brisket Texas Style, on a Weber using the snake method. It turned out very nice. And that is an upcoming cook for me.

So this begs the question...how many briquets will the SNS hold? And how many will two Weber charcoal baskets hold (I have never counted)?

The 22 sns will hold about a full size Weber chimney of coals.  I think each basket will hold about 25-30 briquettes.  This guy has a few videos comparing methods (he does videos for sns grills, though, caveat emptor!).

https://youtu.be/6Shkq7P5z4A


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[foles75]

I made my own slow and sear by altering the two char baskets.. its worked out great for doing reverse sears and indirect cooks.. its also made my briquettes last WAY longer.
But for longer cooks, the snake method has never let me down with a aluminum drip/water pan.

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[TXFlyGuy]

That's what I figured. America's Test Kitchen has a very good "How To" video on smoking a Brisket Texas Style, on a Weber using the snake method. It turned out very nice. And that is an upcoming cook for me.

So this begs the question...how many briquets will the SNS hold? And how many will two Weber charcoal baskets hold (I have never counted)?

The 22 sns will hold about a full size Weber chimney of coals.  I think each basket will hold about 25-30 briquettes.  This guy has a few videos comparing methods (he does videos for sns grills, though, caveat emptor!).

https://youtu.be/6Shkq7P5z4A

I watched this video, and another one of his. The results of the pulled pork were identical for both the Weber Baskets and the SNS.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRIIqI9wtak

For a slow smoke lasting 4 to 6 hours, I think the baskets would be fine. I'm planning to do a Prime Rib Roast (USDA Prime!) on the rotisserie very soon, and want the temp between 225 and 250.

Using the baskets, what would you recommend as far as technique?

Are you 8th Air Force? Or perhaps a family member was?

[TXFlyGuy]

Just found this...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rw1j2saxAo

[michaelmilitello]

That's what I figured. America's Test Kitchen has a very good "How To" video on smoking a Brisket Texas Style, on a Weber using the snake method. It turned out very nice. And that is an upcoming cook for me.

So this begs the question...how many briquets will the SNS hold? And how many will two Weber charcoal baskets hold (I have never counted)?

The 22 sns will hold about a full size Weber chimney of coals.  I think each basket will hold about 25-30 briquettes.  This guy has a few videos comparing methods (he does videos for sns grills, though, caveat emptor!).

https://youtu.be/6Shkq7P5z4A

I watched this video, and another one of his. The results of the pulled pork were identical for both the Weber Baskets and the SNS.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRIIqI9wtak

For a slow smoke lasting 4 to 6 hours, I think the baskets would be fine. I'm planning to do a Prime Rib Roast (USDA Prime!) on the rotisserie very soon, and want the temp between 225 and 250.

Using the baskets, what would you recommend as far as technique?

Are you 8th Air Force? Or perhaps a family member was?

My grandfather was a ball turret gunner in a b17 in WW2 and in the 8th AF. 


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[TXFlyGuy]

That's what I figured. America's Test Kitchen has a very good "How To" video on smoking a Brisket Texas Style, on a Weber using the snake method. It turned out very nice. And that is an upcoming cook for me.

So this begs the question...how many briquets will the SNS hold? And how many will two Weber charcoal baskets hold (I have never counted)?

The 22 sns will hold about a full size Weber chimney of coals.  I think each basket will hold about 25-30 briquettes.  This guy has a few videos comparing methods (he does videos for sns grills, though, caveat emptor!).

https://youtu.be/6Shkq7P5z4A

I watched this video, and another one of his. The results of the pulled pork were identical for both the Weber Baskets and the SNS.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRIIqI9wtak

For a slow smoke lasting 4 to 6 hours, I think the baskets would be fine. I'm planning to do a Prime Rib Roast (USDA Prime!) on the rotisserie very soon, and want the temp between 225 and 250.

Using the baskets, what would you recommend as far as technique?

Are you 8th Air Force? Or perhaps a family member was?

My grandfather was a ball turret gunner in a b17 in WW2 and in the 8th AF. 

How cool! You must be proud of him! That is the most dangerous position in the entire aircraft.
My late Father, Tech. Cpl. D.B. Oleson, was in the 24th Infantry, 1944-46. Leyte, Mindoro, and Mindanao, P.I.

My Mustang is done up in the colors of the 5th Air Force, 3rd Fighter Group, 3rd Fighter Squadron. They were there with my dad. Purple Heart, Bronze Star were both awarded to him.

[TXFlyGuy]

Well...7 hours and 15 minutes later, and my two Weber baskets are still chugging along at 251 degrees. I am shocked!
Must be the B&B briquettes.

This was set up with the rotisserie, as an experiment in cooking temps and time. No coals have been added. Just level full baskets to begin with.

[TXFlyGuy]

Final update...

At 9 hours 15 minutes, my Thermoworks Alarm went off saying the temp had dropped to 200 degrees. The temp was as high as 400 at one point. It steadied around 320 for a long time, after I shut down the vents.

Had I managed the air flow properly, 10+ hours of 250 degree smoking could have been achieved. Now I know what to do, and will hit my targets much closer next time.

Keep in mind fuel was never added to the fire after we got it going.

And this was all with the Weber Charcoal Baskets. So it seems you do not have to spend $$$ on gadgets to do a low and slow cook.

[michaelmilitello]

Nice work!   Nope, no fancy gadgets needed.


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[jeremiahmercier]

I think money would be better spent on something like the Cajun Bandit conversion smoke stacker

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[TXFlyGuy]

Ha! My money is spent on the Weber Baskets. However, a new stainless set has arrived.