So what led you to buy a 26" kettle?


 
Gary S said:
Brad Olson said:
I bought mine because I didn't have one, and it was only $22 at a yard sale. I use it only a few times a year but it's nice to have it when I need it.
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wow $22.00 omg
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It was a lucky find. The people running the sale had posted a CL ad and listed it as "extra large", so I emailed them and asked specifically about it. Fortunately this was midweek and their sale started Friday, so I was there right at 8am. This was probably in 2007 or 2008 as the car I brought it home in died in 2009.;)
 
I just ordered a 26 3/4" OTG, I haven't picked it up yet.

I bought the 26 3/4" OTG for the larger cooking area, and as "Daryl - D.B." mentioned, the ability to have multiple cooking zones.
I use my 22 1/2" OTG often but wanted something bigger and more flexible.

I started with an 18 1/2" WSM and wound up getting a 22 1/2" WSM for capacity reasons.
I use both WSMs and I plan on using both OTGs.
 
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A 26" model is appealing, but the value isn't there for me. I understand some need the extra space, but when you're talking twice the price for something on a base designed for a smaller kettle, that's confounding for a company so known for their quality like Weber.
 
When my OTP bites the dust, I wont hesitate to go 26. the room is luxurious when using indirect. Hopefully there will be a 26" OTP by the time mine bites the dust
 
It's like cooking on a football field. It's amazing how much difference 4" makes.
steak-on-the-grill-smiley-emoticon.gif
 
It was my first purchase and didn't realize the addiction it was going to cause, along with this forum. You are correct, I did not know that the lions share of accessories, correction, nearly all accessories for grills revolves around the 22". The only accessorie I could find was the craycort CIG. With the help of a friend here, they helped me produce a warming rack. That being said, I love it and wish Weber would come up with more for this product to support it. Maybe you're right and they do pay attention to this site, I hope so. It's fun to have options as I'm learning here and we are limited to our imagination.....eh hem, and wallets. :)
 
Gene Brownson said:
It was my first purchase and didn't realize the addiction it was going to cause, along with this forum. You are correct, I did not know that the lions share of accessories, correction, nearly all accessories for grills revolves around the 22". The only accessorie I could find was the craycort CIG. With the help of a friend here, they helped me produce a warming rack. That being said, I love it and wish Weber would come up with more for this product to support it. Maybe you're right and they do pay attention to this site, I hope so. It's fun to have options as I'm learning here and we are limited to our imagination.....eh hem, and wallets. :)
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It's too bad an accessory company like Cajun Bandit or someone else would not make some of the accessories if Weber does not want to. I've built a custom rack and side tables and will have a rotisserie done soon. I really wish I could get the grill with the removable centre section for CI options.
 
Randy, thanks for the link. I have looked at the schematic several times admiring the smoke rack, which I built, but did not ever realize they were offering this unit for the 26. I was more thinking about a rotisserie, the grill rack with the removable centre for various inserts, that kind of stuff.
Wow this would be huge on the 26!
 
Gary S said:
Randy, thanks for the link. I have looked at the schematic several times admiring the smoke rack, which I built, but did not ever realize they were offering this unit for the 26. I was more thinking about a rotisserie, the grill rack with the removable centre for various inserts, that kind of stuff.
Wow this would be huge on the 26!
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Absolutely, sir, my pleasure. I actually think Chris is working on a rotisserie for the 26. I've seen a pic, and that thing is suh-weet! Just don't know how far along he is with it. I'm with you, I really do wish that there were more accessories or aftermarket goodies offered for the 26. I guess they're just not interested in taking the chance of low sales, perhaps? Good grief, I know I love mine! We have three of these 26's, a 22.5 and a Jumbo Joe (that's the stove during comps...lol...I do beans, sauces, etc on it) that we take when we compete. It looks like I'm a Weber rep out there...lol.
 
Daryl - D.B. said:
So I've heard some leg complaints on the 26'ers. Is that fairly common or something to worry about?
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It's........wellllll.....not great, by any means. Probably my only major complaint with the grill. That's the main reason that I put the legs that Cajun Bandit makes on all mine, similar to the WSMs. Very stable, but not very mobile. So, I have a plastic barrel dolly that I use that the legs will fit into to push them around. That tends to work pretty well.
 
I bought mine new last year for the extra space. It doesn't work like the 22.5, but after you get it dialed in it's fine. I have had no problems with it at all. I like the fact that you can fit 2 of your 9X12 trays on it at once, that's a big plus for me.
 
I've had mine about 8 months and have cooked on it a dozen times or so. Love the extra real estate, but it is a fuel hog. Much like the 18 compared to the 22 WSM.
I got mine for large cooks, when the 22 OTG was too small. Heck, most of the time they are all running. Talk about a Weber Rep. All I need is a banner and a bigger EZ-Up.
Complaints are pretty much covered above. Can't think of anything else to add.
Would I get it again? Heck yes, I would.
 
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