26.75 vs OTPlatinum


 
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Ralph S

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Trying to decide if the big Gold is worth a spot on my patio. I have a couple concerns that I can't get over & I'd like some advice or answers from someone who has one.

1) The Weber site lists height with lid open, but I can't find grill height. One thing I like about the Platinum is that the grill is a couple inches higher than the OTG. Lid open doesn't tell me a lot as the 26.75 has a bigger lid & I assume that would make for a taller unit with the lid open. Can anyone tell me how the 26.75 grill height compares to the Platinum?

2) My Platinum is much more steady than my OTG. Extra leg & real cart construction plays into this, but the OTG isn't bad. In fact, I'd have never noticed had I not bought a Platinum. BUT... the 26.75 is bigger & appears to be on the same legs as the 22½. Would I need to be concerned about wind knocking the big one over & would I need to tie the dogs for fear a brush would knock the grill over? I hate dents.

I know the plusses of the 26.75 over the OTG. The Platinum negates most of the extras, except the stainless grill & extra room. I am just concerned it might be top-heavy & cause me to stoop over to grill.

Thanks for any input.
 
if you need the extra real estate then you cant go wrong withe the 26. however if you dont need the extra room the side shelf sure is nice to have. You could always set up a little table nest to the 26 as well
 
I understand the size/shelf advantages. My other questions are what I need. At this time of the year, it is proving to be impossible, or nearly so, to find a retailer with both a OTG26.75 & a Platinum setup for side-by-side comparisons.

I have a Platinum & I have an OTG22½. I like the Platinum three times better than the OTG, but I like the idea of being able to occasionally cook for larger groups on a single grill. With three teens in the house, a single 22½ isn't large enough & when they invite friends.... well, let just say I like everyone eating together.

Size for me is a concern because I use the Webers almost exclusively for grilling. My stick burner is worlds better than anything else for smoking large meals. I can pile on 30 pounds of meat, set the thermostat, set the timer on my watch or smartphone & come back when it is ready. Perfect every time.
 
Ralph, why do you like the platinum so much? I'm looking around and want so real opinions on each. Right now I'm leaning to buying a performer and a 26er.
Thanks,
Tom
 
I had to make this decision back in December. I decided to go with the 27 and have been very happy with it. The legs are fine. We have really strong storms here in Dallas and it's never been an issue...even with the heavy cast iron grate I've got in there. I really think the concerns about the legs in general are unfounded because they are light weight but they are incredibly strong. As long as they don't fall out, I just can't see them every breaking. Don't get me wrong though, if they ever put a 27 inch kettle in a performer style table, I would buy it tomorrow.

The reason I decided on the 26 was, like you, I like cooking for large groups. Also, once I saw the platinum in person I realized the shelf space on the platinum just wasn't wide enough. It's made for holding a cup or maybe a plate, but it's not really a workspace. I guess I'm just used to my performer table which has me spoiled. I also realized I can pull the performer up along side when I use the 26.75 and still use the table so then it became a no brainer.

Hope this helps.
 
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Tom L:
Ralph, why do you like the platinum so much? I'm looking around and want so real opinions on each. Right now I'm leaning to buying a performer and a 26er.
Thanks,
Tom </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Tom, I always thought I'd be fine with two 22s, but like you & Justin, I started thinking I'd enjoy the extra space. Here is why I went with the Platinum, even though I came really close to snagging a Performer today on clearance @ Ace for $280. First off, the Platinum's grilling surface is slightly taller than the Performer. I also like the Platinum's lid better. No wire bale, a front handle, a top vent & the fact it tilts back instead of the side was what sealed the deal for me. While I am basically right-handed, I use both hands while cooking. The right-side swing of the Performer was a definite deal breaker.

As for the table, I have adjustable height tables I can use, for prep, for resting things, and more. I don't need all that table on the right side. If I did, I'd be in trouble with a 26.75 or an of the regular kettles.

My other problem with the Performer was the gimmick factor. I don't have any need for a charcoal bin. Around here, that would attract roaches & crickets. And what follows roaches & crickets? Spiders do. So I'd use the bin for a waste paper receptacle - I don't need another of those. The charcoal starter is nice for a lot of folks, but I see it as extra maintenance & expense. I do fine with my chimneys. 35 or 40 years ago, we used to do well with coffee cans & electric starters.

My biggest pet peeve with gassers was being out of LPG. Since I am currently in an all-electric neighborhood, I can't convert to natural, so I am stuck with LPG. My issue with running out is so strong, I have six 40# cylinders. Not a 20# in sight. Can you see me with those little Coleman stove cylinders?
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I know there are many who love their Performers - I can't fault them for it. I just chose to save the extra money & put it into meat instead.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Justin W:
Hope this helps. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

It did. At least the part about the legs & stability. Actually the stability is what is important. I never had an issue with my OTG - I just saw it was the same tripod on the big model & that concerned me a bit.

Today, I think I found the truth as to height. I went Ace Hardware hunting & found the Performer mentioned above (it had a stick/dial type thermometer through the side of the handle). Then at another Ace store, I found a 26.75 on display next to a Performer next to a OTG22.5 next to an OTS22.5 - they were on a multi-level display, but it seems the 26.75 was a hair taller than the 22.5s but shorter than the Performer. I already know the Performer's grill is a bit shorter than the Platinum.

I almost bought the big one today... but I wanted to see if I had any more responses here AND the helpful hardware guy (I love Ace) there told me they were clearing out stock (seasonal thing) & would be reducing prices in the next week. He promised me he would hold back the one remaining boxed 26.75 for me.

Now that I wrote a book, I need to hit the sack. Church comes in 6½ hours & I will have a class to teach. Thanks for the input. It was very much appreciated.
 
id love to see a 26 inch in the performer. only problem with 26 that i see is the grate is so dawgon expensive!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
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