Upgrading to Weber Kettle


 
Rusty Breaux

Rusty Breaux

TVWBB Fan
Hey guys, when i got married i got a BBQ Pro kettle grill as a wedding gift and for 3 years i loved it. THEN i started smoking meat on the WSM and found these bbq forums. Now i have the want to be able to actually control temperature in my grill, which CANNOT be done with the BBQ Pro.

If you look at the pic below, that charcoal catcher at the bottom of the pit does NOT seal at all, so there is ALWAYS a wild fire in the middle of that pit with zero control of the temp.
spin_prod_810948512


This leads me to my question. Gonna pick up the 22" Weber Kettle. Is the Kettle Premium worth the extra $50?

rb
 
I would think so but if it were me I would upgrade to a Performer. You might check Craigslist for them and save some money for a great grill.
 
Robert-R said:
CL Performers with gas assist are the bomb!
Click to expand...

Agreed Robert.
I bought my 1995 SS Performer with gas assist for $80.00 on Craigslist, best Bbq ever.
That is until I make it into a SS 26" Performer with gas assist someday.
 
Yes. The extra 50 is worth it but by no means necessary. The ash catcher and hinged grate are worth it. Not to mention the lid therm. You can always add that stuff later of course like I did.

I'd love to have a performer like these guys bit I can't justify the extra expense. If I could find a Craigslist score I'd jump on it.
 
Rusty Breaux said:
Hey guys, when i got married i got a BBQ Pro kettle grill as a wedding gift and for 3 years i loved it. THEN i started smoking meat on the WSM and found these bbq forums. Now i have the want to be able to actually control temperature in my grill, which CANNOT be done with the BBQ Pro.

If you look at the pic below, that charcoal catcher at the bottom of the pit does NOT seal at all, so there is ALWAYS a wild fire in the middle of that pit with zero control of the temp.
spin_prod_810948512


This leads me to my question. Gonna pick up the 22" Weber Kettle. Is the Kettle Premium worth the extra $50?

rb
Click to expand...
I use a 2012 22.5" OTG (One Touch Gold) which is what Weber calls "Premium" now.
It was $50 on Craigslist in very good condition.
I like the better ash management system of the Gold or Premium.

My favorite Performer is what's called "4th Generation" (the current model).
It has the improved lid bale and a metal table.
It also sits higher than the vintage SSP (Stainless Steel Performer).

If it's says Weber, you'll be very happy with it.
 
Robert-R said:
CL Performers with gas assist are the bomb!
Click to expand...

Yes they are, I absolutely love mine. I also have a 22 original kettle but that is what I use when I'm grilling away from home. If you can find a Performer grab it. There were a couple of clean ones on CL Houston lately, but it looks like they have been sold.
 
Rusty Breaux said:
If you look at the pic below, that charcoal catcher at the bottom of the pit does NOT seal at all, so there is ALWAYS a wild fire in the middle of that pit with zero control of the temp.
Click to expand...
The standard Weber kettle you find at the big box stores has pretty marginal temperature control via the vents. I tried to do low and slow in mine for a couple years before I gave up on it. Still love it for grilling, but when it comes to smoking the right tool makes all the difference.

Perhaps I'm limiting myself but when I use the kettle I run with the ash pusher adjusted so the bottom vents are wide open. I control the temperature by the amount of charcoal and how high I stack it. Adjusting the bottom vents on my kettle to any positions other than "open" or "closed" would be sheer guesswork.

If you're trying to adjust the temperature by altering the air flow, I'd suggest looking at a different model. I'm not familiar with the Performer line that seems to be so popular around here so perhaps it has facility for better air flow control.
 
JayHeyl said:
The standard Weber kettle you find at the big box stores has pretty marginal temperature control via the vents. I tried to do low and slow in mine for a couple years before I gave up on it. Still love it for grilling, but when it comes to smoking the right tool makes all the difference.

Perhaps I'm limiting myself but when I use the kettle I run with the ash pusher adjusted so the bottom vents are wide open. I control the temperature by the amount of charcoal and how high I stack it. Adjusting the bottom vents on my kettle to any positions other than "open" or "closed" would be sheer guesswork.

If you're trying to adjust the temperature by altering the air flow, I'd suggest looking at a different model. I'm not familiar with the Performer line that seems to be so popular around here so perhaps it has facility for better air flow control.
Click to expand...


You can control temps a number of ways. Yes, limiting the amount of lit charcoal and stacking it is one way, but it's easy to learn to restrict air flow as well. What you might do is grab a Sharpie marker and wander out to your grill. Take out the food and charcoal grates so you can see clearly. Completely close the fins and then nudge them back open about 1/4 of the way. Use the Sharpie to mark the location of the handle. Next, move to 1/2 open and mark with the Sharpie again. Repeat with 3/4 open. If you want to get even more detailed control, break the fractions down even further into 6'ths or even 8th's.


Vent%20003-L.jpg
 
Rusty,

I'd recommend checking out Craigslist as there are a couple of nice looking One Touch Gold's (what the grills with the ash catchers used to be called) and a lightly used Premium kettle for $75 or less.


http://houston.craigslist.org/for/5720978576.html

http://houston.craigslist.org/for/5720978494.html

http://houston.craigslist.org/hsh/5653391038.html


This one could be a steal. It's a Weber Performer Silver for $15. Can't tell from the pic whether it's all there or not.


http://houston.craigslist.org/for/5681287884.html
 
Rusty, my brutha from another mutha!
We had exchanged postures a while back, I thought you had a Weber 22! Get a real one my friend, you will NEVER look back. The gas assist was not available until after I bought my platinum, I have a couple friends who have them and like them quite a bit. Since I have never had one, I don't miss it. after putting a fresh coat of tung oil on the table, I don't see myself adding to the stable for some time unless it's a WSM.
And I agree with Dave, do mark the bottom vent lever! Take a look at "hotsmokebbq.com" for some different ideas on more projects!
 
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Even just the standard Weber kettle 22" can last a lifetime for you with just reasonable care. I have one bought new in 1979, and one inherited from 1987.
The more that you use one, the more you will learn about how to control it. Enjoy your new 22.
 
No way you need to blow the extra $$ for the premium, at least not functionally. The only difference is the ash catcher and the hinged grate. On the Black Pearl I just replaced the hubcap ash pan with a little $6 galvanized pail which IMO is way more practical than the ash catcher, and you can always buy the hinged or even the gourmet grate of you feel you need it.

If you just like the premium colors and cool factor, that may indeed be worth $50....
 
DaveW said:
You can control temps a number of ways. Yes, limiting the amount of lit charcoal and stacking it is one way, but it's easy to learn to restrict air flow as well. What you might do is grab a Sharpie marker and wander out to your grill. Take out the food and charcoal grates so you can see clearly. Completely close the fins and then nudge them back open about 1/4 of the way. Use the Sharpie to mark the location of the handle. Next, move to 1/2 open and mark with the Sharpie again. Repeat with 3/4 open. If you want to get even more detailed control, break the fractions down even further into 6'ths or even 8th's.
Click to expand...

I did the same as Dave. I have been able to control my temps very well this way. Using the snake method for the charcoal will also allow you to keep the temps low. Your kettle will get a better seal on the lid over time as you cook with it more. My Performer is easier to keep the low temps constant than my newer kettle as the Performer has developed a better seal around the lid due to me using it all the time.
 
Another vote here for Craigslist. My Weber collection started with a new WSM, then I picked up an OTG (One Touch Gold - the model renamed "Original Kettle Premium") for $40. It needed a new grate, but otherwise I used it as-is for over a year. I just recently sold that after picking up a lightly used (but 12 year old) Performer for $95. In this area (Southeast PA), Performers very rarely come up, and more rarely at that price, but in other parts of the country, good deals on them seem to be more common.

As has been stated, there is no functional difference in how any Weber kettles cook; from one model to another, it's more about convenience features and bling. Just to get started, I'm certain you'll be able to find a variety of kettles on CL for $50 or less. If you find it's not for you, you can likely resell it with little to no loss. I sold my OTG for $35, which is a net loss of $20 ($40 purchase + $15 grate), but got a years worth of great cooks out of it, so it's hard to call it a "loss".
 
Chad is right as far as "they all work the same" but, the old daisy wheels were tempermental compared to the one touch.
Yes, theory is the same but, convenience of the sweeper on the one touch, the big side table I built, the closeness of the cocktail shaker makes a big difference in the appreciation!
You will enjoy whatever you find, I'm not worried, you're from Louisiana.
Oh, I rotated the 18" grill 90* so the hinge is on the right side, being left handed it will allow me better access. Well, less need to reach around to lift the lid, I kind of wish I had though that through a little more before I drilled it but, live and learn. When the 18 dies, I can transfer the hinge, Jason makes the hinges to last several lifetimes!
 
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Thanks for the comments boys. I have a $100 gc to Lowes and i think im going to drop the extra 50 and get the ash catcher. The thoughts are appreciated.

Tim, I have been working with a knockoff bootleg version of a kettle.. :) . The grill table idea never came to fruition. I couldnt nail down a design that i thought was mobile enough and still had the table area i was looking for. BUT that was based off of the 26" grill i had before. losing 4" of depth may make it more doable.

rb
 
Good luck, you will have a fine time. I need to find some cash! There's a deal which will not last more than a day or two close but, car maintenance has to preclude the buy of a WSM damnit!
 
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