Weber Performer


 
RogerS

RogerS

TVWBB All-Star
Thinking of replacing my Chargriller for a Weber performer. Tired of adding wood/charcoal to the side smoker box. Question I can get a new Performer for a decent price has anyone tried to do low and slows on them? I mainly do BB ribs for around 3-4 hours on Chargriller. Can I achieve this on the Performer? How many BB backs can fit on the Performer? I usually do 3 slabs @ once. Im guessing can only do one slab at a time on the performer with indirect heat at each side. Just wondering if it holds temp. Decent, Thanks.
 
RogerS said:
Thinking of replacing my Chargriller for a Weber performer. Tired of adding wood/charcoal to the side smoker box. Question I can get a new Performer for a decent price has anyone tried to do low and slows on them? I mainly do BB ribs for around 3-4 hours on Chargriller. Can I achieve this on the Performer? How many BB backs can fit on the Performer? I usually do 3 slabs @ once. Im guessing can only do one slab at a time on the performer with indirect heat at each side. Just wondering if it holds temp. Decent, Thanks.
Click to expand...

See my post 8 on this thread..
http://tvwbb.com/showthread.php?34771-Looking-into-purchacing-the-18-5-bullet&p=347991#post347991

and post 9 on this thread
http://tvwbb.com/showthread.php?18403-Large-Spare-Ribs-on-a-22-5-OTG&p=58778#post58778

With BBs (heat on one side) you should be able to fit at least 2 rib racks flat on the standard rack.. add an additional rack below and/or above to expand the capacity or a rib rack and stack sideways.

Another option is a Cajun Bandit Stacker.
 
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Low and slow is not hard to do. I've done Jamie Purviance's three racks stacked method several times with good success on the performer.
 
3 racks of baby backs is absolutely NO problem for the Performer as it's essentially the standard 22.5 inch Kettle on a table. The pic below is 3 racks of spares, which tend to be taller, so 3 full racks of BBs...??? No problemo! :cool:

Low n slow on a Performer. The only time I did a low n slow on my Performer was Memorial Day weekend 2012, and I got 12 hours of completely untended cook times from a single load of Kingsford briquettes. Used regular bricks as a dam, then had an open "pocket" (space) at one end where I dumped 15 lit coals. Closed bottom damper down to a bare slit, and left the top a little more than half open (see second pic below for similar setup in an old kettle). Best 8 lb pork butt I've ever cooked.

Later!

ribs35hrscooking2N.jpg


IMAG0634.jpg
 
Thanks J Reyes, Chad Anderson and W Tyler. Sounds like there is not a lot of "air leakage" around the cover and done correctly the Performer should hold the temperature pretty good. I have to say the Chargriller w/side smoker box has leaks all over. I've not done and Mods on the unit though. Thanks again for the input. Roger
 
Roger, I'm considering doing the exact same thing you're doing. I have a Chargriller Duo with side fire box, and an 18.5 WSM. Since getting the WSM, the Chargriller just seems so much worse of a product. Yeah it's a pretty good grill overall but it's not a very good smoker IMO. Mostly for the reasons you listed, the air leaks are awful. It is impossible to kill a fire by closing the vents on that unit. That's why I've learned not to put too much charcoal in it or else you will waste charcoal.

Well be sure to update this thread when you decide. I would be interested in your decision as I am considering selling off my Duo and getting a performer.
 
Have you thought about doing any mods to your Chargriller? These grills (and the mods) are covered at length at barbecuebible.com. I have the Chargriller SuperPro w/o the side firebox, and yeah it had numerous air leaks. I installed woodstove gasket material around the lid and main firebox and that took care of the leaks. Now it's just as airtight as a kettle.
 
RogerS, the performer is a good grill, smoker etc...have you even considered the 26.75 weber kettle?
 
The kettle is a great grill/smoker. Temp control is easy with the top and bottom vents. Grab the Performer you won't regret it and you will kick yourself for not getting a Weber sooner!!:cool:
 
If I could only have one grill/smoker, it would be a performer. I have only cooked ribs on a performer once, and that was a couple weeks ago.

I don't cook baby backs often (only a handful of times in my life, I cook spares) but a friend picked up a few racks of baby backs. Rubbed them and put them on the performer at the lake house. Banked the coals to one side and used a rib rack (Raichlen's). Smoked at 300-325° till they had nice color (2.5 hrs or so), foiled for 30 mins till tender, back on to set. Best baby backs, by far, I have ever made. I did spin the rib rack after 1.5 hrs.

IMAG1091.jpg
 
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