Greg H. in Oakland TN
TVWBB Member
Hi everyone!
I have been using a Weber 22.5" Kettle since the early 1980s. An occasional griller one might consider me between then & 2010. Although, my wife and I were cooking out maybe twice a month at the most, it wasn't until I spotted a Weber Performer (w/propane starter) in 2010 that I got really interested! So; for Christmas 2011, Santa brought us a Brick Red Performer. And, we haven't looked back since!
Along with the Performer, I ordered the Weber Rotisserie. I had seen those for years! I thought that might be fun! On that Christmas day, we cooked 2 whole chickens on the rotisserie. I guess that changed everything. We began grilling weekly. Pork Loins became a favorite using the rotisserie. Not long after, in early 2012, I spotted Craycort Cast Iron Grates, & ordered a set. Then; the Smokenator 1000 followed. All this time we were using my black Weber Kettle for side items such as potatos & onions, etc,,,. Of course; we do grill steaks, and kabobs often, as well.
We found smoking to be great fun! Always pleased with the results I got from both the rotisserie, and the Smokenator. I've able to maintain my temps. Around 200-215 using the Smokenator, too. We have smoked everything from whole chub German Bologna (cut in half) to big whole Turkey breasts. It has been a great time, and the results have been quite good.
Earlier this year, I decided I wanted to look into a wireless thermometer, and happened onto the Rib-O-Lator. I thought; Wow! And, the ROL works right with my Weber Rotisserie! I ordered a ROL, and a Maverick Wireless Rotisserie Thermometer. Now; I grill using all the toys! Although; the ROL is a pain to clean, the finished product makes it worth it. My wife found some wicked grill cleaner that does work quite well cleaning the ROL. But; it can still be little bit of a pain to clean. On a side note; when we ordered the ROL, I also ordered the cordless rotisserie motor. Nice!
These past nearly 2 years have been grilling nirvana! Friends sometimes tell me my stove is going to run off! We really use all the pieces equally, I would say. Although, my main grill is the Performer, the black 22.5" gets plenty of usage since all the accesssories work between the 2 grills. When rain is in the forecast, I bring the black kettle up on the deck, although we do have a patio umbrella that works fairly well if we get caught out when running the Performer.
Earlier this year, I joined a BBQ team with some friends. It's been good fun, met a lot of nice people, and cooked some good food! This past weekend, we smoked 8 slabs of ribs for 14 friends and family, along with stuffed Big Jims peppers, and other goodies. In about 2 weeks, we are competing in our 3rd competition. I'm doing the ribs. Since 8 slabs is so much, I decided to borrow my friends Brinkmann bullet smoker. I think it is an 18" model. We put 5 slabs on my Performer with the Smokenator, and we cut 3 slabs in half to smoke on both levels of the Brinkmann. The results were quite good. Everyone loved the ribs, and the rest of the food. The black kettle was being used with rotisserie / ROL (Rib O Lator).
After 7.5 hours of smoking ribs, we just put them in a foil pan not really paying attention which ribs came off of which grill. I think they all were pretty equal.
But; what I realized on Sunday was just how easy using that Brinkmann was! Not that the Performer
w/Smokenator 1000 isn't easy. It is. But; the water/steam pan is much smaller, and the lid has to be removed to add water, and coals. Using the Brinkmann, all of that is accomplished without removing the lid. I like that! Not to mention; I didn't need to add any water during the entire cook.
As the day progressed, I started to think that maybe it would be neat to look into an actual Weber Smoker. That's when I discovered the WSM 22.5". I like it!! It's not that often that we cook for 14 people. Usually; it is just my Wife and I. We're empty nesters. But; there are those times....
My thinking is; for $100 more go with the 22.5" over the 18.5" model.
So; that's where my head's at right now. I've been reading the reviews, and all of that. I think adding the WSM 22.5" might be a nice addition to my Weber family. Please feel free to share your opinions on this.
Sorry for the long intro. Since; this is the first grilling forum I have ever joined, I wanted to share some my past grilling experiences, and thoughts.
It's great to be here!
- Greg
I have been using a Weber 22.5" Kettle since the early 1980s. An occasional griller one might consider me between then & 2010. Although, my wife and I were cooking out maybe twice a month at the most, it wasn't until I spotted a Weber Performer (w/propane starter) in 2010 that I got really interested! So; for Christmas 2011, Santa brought us a Brick Red Performer. And, we haven't looked back since!
Along with the Performer, I ordered the Weber Rotisserie. I had seen those for years! I thought that might be fun! On that Christmas day, we cooked 2 whole chickens on the rotisserie. I guess that changed everything. We began grilling weekly. Pork Loins became a favorite using the rotisserie. Not long after, in early 2012, I spotted Craycort Cast Iron Grates, & ordered a set. Then; the Smokenator 1000 followed. All this time we were using my black Weber Kettle for side items such as potatos & onions, etc,,,. Of course; we do grill steaks, and kabobs often, as well.
We found smoking to be great fun! Always pleased with the results I got from both the rotisserie, and the Smokenator. I've able to maintain my temps. Around 200-215 using the Smokenator, too. We have smoked everything from whole chub German Bologna (cut in half) to big whole Turkey breasts. It has been a great time, and the results have been quite good.
Earlier this year, I decided I wanted to look into a wireless thermometer, and happened onto the Rib-O-Lator. I thought; Wow! And, the ROL works right with my Weber Rotisserie! I ordered a ROL, and a Maverick Wireless Rotisserie Thermometer. Now; I grill using all the toys! Although; the ROL is a pain to clean, the finished product makes it worth it. My wife found some wicked grill cleaner that does work quite well cleaning the ROL. But; it can still be little bit of a pain to clean. On a side note; when we ordered the ROL, I also ordered the cordless rotisserie motor. Nice!
These past nearly 2 years have been grilling nirvana! Friends sometimes tell me my stove is going to run off! We really use all the pieces equally, I would say. Although, my main grill is the Performer, the black 22.5" gets plenty of usage since all the accesssories work between the 2 grills. When rain is in the forecast, I bring the black kettle up on the deck, although we do have a patio umbrella that works fairly well if we get caught out when running the Performer.
Earlier this year, I joined a BBQ team with some friends. It's been good fun, met a lot of nice people, and cooked some good food! This past weekend, we smoked 8 slabs of ribs for 14 friends and family, along with stuffed Big Jims peppers, and other goodies. In about 2 weeks, we are competing in our 3rd competition. I'm doing the ribs. Since 8 slabs is so much, I decided to borrow my friends Brinkmann bullet smoker. I think it is an 18" model. We put 5 slabs on my Performer with the Smokenator, and we cut 3 slabs in half to smoke on both levels of the Brinkmann. The results were quite good. Everyone loved the ribs, and the rest of the food. The black kettle was being used with rotisserie / ROL (Rib O Lator).
After 7.5 hours of smoking ribs, we just put them in a foil pan not really paying attention which ribs came off of which grill. I think they all were pretty equal.
But; what I realized on Sunday was just how easy using that Brinkmann was! Not that the Performer
w/Smokenator 1000 isn't easy. It is. But; the water/steam pan is much smaller, and the lid has to be removed to add water, and coals. Using the Brinkmann, all of that is accomplished without removing the lid. I like that! Not to mention; I didn't need to add any water during the entire cook.
As the day progressed, I started to think that maybe it would be neat to look into an actual Weber Smoker. That's when I discovered the WSM 22.5". I like it!! It's not that often that we cook for 14 people. Usually; it is just my Wife and I. We're empty nesters. But; there are those times....
My thinking is; for $100 more go with the 22.5" over the 18.5" model.
So; that's where my head's at right now. I've been reading the reviews, and all of that. I think adding the WSM 22.5" might be a nice addition to my Weber family. Please feel free to share your opinions on this.
Sorry for the long intro. Since; this is the first grilling forum I have ever joined, I wanted to share some my past grilling experiences, and thoughts.
It's great to be here!
- Greg
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