26.5" Kettle


 
I love my 26er, if i remember correctly i got it back in Jan of 2010 for $118 plus tax at Academy sale, it was the floor model only one left, had a couple of dings on the bowl and slightly bent handle on the bowl, lid was damaged very little, the good thing called and sent some picks to Weber customer service and "Bam" Weber sent me a new lid and bowl.
 
I read on another site that you need two chimneys full for the 26.75. Does that sound correct?
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sounds like a lot of charcoal.
I only use one chimney full.
But, use what you like and snuff it out after grilling to use the leftovers for your next cook.
 
I finally got me one! Got a brand new and assembled 26.75" off CL for $150 this afternoon. The seller already had a 22.5" kettle and said the BIG OTG she received as a Christmas gift was just too big!
 
Gary S said:
Wow Dave, awesome deal!
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Hi, Gary. Yep, I'm real thankful. I've been wanting one for a while. It's got a couple nicks in the lid's finish, but nothing big. Besides, if it was in absolute perfect condition I'd worry about keeping it that way and probably feel like I stole it. Crispy HH smoked chicken is what's for dinner!
 
It sounds like you are going to use it for some of the same things I was interested in it for. I was interested in it for big turkey thinking there was more depth. I did an 18 pounder on my 22 Kettle by getting down onto the charcoal grate and raising up 4-1/4". I still had three inches clearance from the top of the bird to the lid but thought there might be an added advantage with the 26. We like this turkey better than anything I had done so far on the WSM and the temp were easier to control up here in the cooler weather.
 
Nice score DR i am sure you will make it your to go grill. Since i got mine every other grill and smoker has been neglected, the 26er does it all to perfection.
 
Well I pulled the trigger on a 26 today. I was a couple hours away from home looking in a big BBQ store and got a bit of a deal. They had one NIB left. Picked it up at their warehouse and insisted on inspecting it. The box looked like new. Opened it up and bang a big piece of bare metal about three inches from the thermometer. Not chipped just no porcelain. It was packaged that way! Took it anyway, documented the damage and I will call Weber on Monday. I'm not worried about it because I know they will look after it.

Got some mods planned for this big guy. Can't wait to fire it up.
 
I bought a new 22 1/2" OTG last year, and I've cooked some really good food on it.
A new 26 3/4" is calling my name though!
 
Gary S said:
Well I pulled the trigger on a 26 today. I was a couple hours away from home looking in a big BBQ store and got a bit of a deal. They had one NIB left. Picked it up at their warehouse and insisted on inspecting it. The box looked like new. Opened it up and bang a big piece of bare metal about three inches from the thermometer. Not chipped just no porcelain. It was packaged that way! Took it anyway, documented the damage and I will call Weber on Monday. I'm not worried about it because I know they will look after it.

Got some mods planned for this big guy. Can't wait to fire it up.
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Hope Weber sends you a new lid (in new condition) real quick, Gary. While I really like my new 26", it's become apparent to me that the fit of the lid is very important for controlling temp, so be VERY careful with your's. Seems more of an issue than on my 22" kettles for some reason, and so I've gotten out a tape measure and "adjusted" mine a couple of times. Still, I'm very glad I've got my bullets for low-n-slow smoking.
 
Yes I think given the diameter of the bigger lid they can get bent. The one I have does fits really well and sits level. One I saw on display did not.
You know they have not yet approved my warranty claim even though I presented two photos and TA Appliances printed the damage report on their letterhead. I was told it would take a couple of days. It may be the Canadian Distributor having to get approval. I'm not worried but I will not accept anything less than a proper fitting lid considering they are charging a premium for this kettle.
 
Scotty W. said:
Gary,

I purchased the 26.75" last fall and, yep, the lid porcelain was chipped and the ash bucket was out of round. Yes, Weber took care of the problems and I now have an extra, slightly chipped lid and a complete slightly out of round one touch system.

In spite of these problems I have not regretted my purchase. The lid holder works smoothly and DOES NOT scratch the lid. I love the extra grill room (cook a lot with CI skillets) and the stainless steel food grate. I had an old camp table that I scooted up next to the grill and use as a prep area. I am going to get a cast iron or cast aluminum cooking grate to place on the stainless steel grate for searing steaks and chops.

All in all, I recommend it
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Scotty if you are looking to sear with the 26 consider this. A charcoal grate from a 22 kettle or 18 WSM will sit nicely above the bottom vents. Actually it sits about 3 inches below the 22 inch charcoal grate. Place your coals on the lower grate, substitute the charcoal grate for a 22 inch cooking grate and you can sear right over the coals!
 
Gary S said:
Scotty if you are looking to sear with the 26 consider this. A charcoal grate from a 22 kettle or 18 WSM will sit nicely above the bottom vents. Actually it sits about 3 inches below the 22 inch charcoal grate. Place your coals on the lower grate, substitute the charcoal grate for a 22 inch cooking grate and you can sear right over the coals!
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Thanks for the info Gary, I'll keep it in mind.
 
I heard once that you should buy the best that you can afford. Price has a lot to do with deciding on a purchase. If you can afford the 26 then I would highly recommend it.
 
Well the Canadian side of Weber service is none too fast. Four days have passed and still no decision on my warranty claim!:confused: This inspite of the damage being written on the dealer invoice as well as two photos I sent them....so I called Weber Sephen direct late this afternoon. Got their Customer Service Department and it looks like it will get taken care of tomorrow through the Canadian Distributor. It took them no time to deal with this once they saw my invoice and photos. :rolleyes:
 
Gary S said:
Well I pulled the trigger on a 26 today. I was a couple hours away frohome looking in a big BBQ store and got a bit of a deal. They had one NIB left. Picked it up at their warehouse and insisted on inspecting it. The box looked like new. Opened it up and bang a big piece of bare metal about three inches from the thermometer. Not chipped just no porcelain. It was packaged that way! Took it anyway, documented the damage and I will call Weber on Monday. I'm not worried about it because I know they will look after it.

Got some mods planned for this big guy. Can't wait to fire it up.
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Gary, what kind of mods do you have planned? I haven't seen much on the net about modding kettles, other than after market gizmos.
 
Thanks Gary, guess I didn't look too hard.

So far I really like my 26 OTG. The one thing that drives me nuts is, that the lid holder is mounted above the cooking grate and the nuts that hold it on interfere with installing the grate. It also interferes with opening the hinged grate, in certain positions. Seems like a design flaw that could have been easily corrected.
 
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Well today is day eight awaiting confirmation of my warranty claim and I found out something very interesting. According to the Ontario Distributor for Weber, not sure if this applies in the US but my claim was delayed because I bought my kettle at a discount. It seems they presumed the discount was for the damage which it was not. The dealer cleared out the last one of eight 26" kettles and sold it to me for $50.00 below retail. I had paid for the kettle and went to the warehouse to pick it up. At that point I insisted on inspecting it. They say whenever something is bought below retail there is no damage warranty. In any event my claim was approved today supposedly because of the above method of purchase and I am being shipped a new kettle lid.
 
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