Advise needed on grill...

[doughboyb]

I'm hoping you all have some suggestions for me. I'm in the market for a new grill... my Weber kettle 22 has been beat up, tipped over by dog leashes and wind for the last 12 years and the lid doesn't quite sit like it should anymore without forcing it down. I would just buy another one, but here's the problem. I have a family now, and do a lot of direct and indirect cooking at the same time (whole meal) when the grills hot. I run out of room real quick, and often times I have to pull something off while I finish something else up.
In a perfect world, I know a ranch kettle is the answer... but the budget just won't allow it.
I found the rivergrille stampede at home Depot, the size is perfect (1000 sq in+ with second grate) just not sure on the quality you get for $150. Their stick burners get decent reviews, with mods. I want to stay with charcoal. Do you all have any suggestions for me?
I also have a wsm 18 to handle all my smoking needs. Thank u in advance.

 

[worktogthr]

I have many kettles, and in my opinion the best one for the average person who wants to have capacity, without the enormity of the Ranch Kettle, is the Weber 26.75 kettle.  It is large enough to direct grill tons of food, indirect grill, smoke, bake, etc.  Many times I do just as you say, direct grill meat while indirect grilling the sides or vice versa.  It doesn't seem like it would be that much more space than a 22, but it is.  I have about 20 outdoor cooking devices (I know, I'm an addict) but I can honestly say if I could only keep one, it would be the 26.  I know that its about double what you would spend on a 22 One Touch Gold, but in my opinion, it is 100% worth it.  Hope this helps.

-Chris

 

[doughboyb]

Thanks, it does help... I did not know Weber had a 26" kettle. I'll look into it, see if any stores around here have one I can take a look at.