Difference between Weber kettle and the performer?

[clifish]

Going to start with a vortex and chimney, then will decide if I need a basket. I could always move the vortex to one side If I need more cooking space.

 

[chopsaw]

Here's a thread you may find interesting .

Snake and Minion burn time and Temp data?

Hi All, I hope this post finds you ALL well and having great smokes. I was wondering if there is any data out there that tells us how long a snake or minion will burn for and at what temperatures for say a, 22" WSM or a 26" kettle? Just thought it would be interesting to know as I did a cook...

www.smokingmeatforums.com

Chris and some others can help you with the acc. I just don't use them . I do like the Weber charcoal baskets . I use them a lot . Snake method or banked to one side .

2 things I'll suggest if you're planing on long low and slow cooks .
1. Keep the bottom clean . I talk about this in the thread I linked above .
2. Before I started using my 26 " I looked inside and noted the position of the clean out vanes / vent covers . I put a corresponding mark on the outside center line of the handle .
I marked fully closed , Completely open and half way . You'll find it doesn't take much travel to achieve open and closed .
This way you Know what you have , and you don't have to take the lid off to see the vents .
Nice find man . You're gonna love it .

 

[JeffB1961]

i just got my performer yesterday , it didn't come with charcoal baskets but it doe's have the P vents .
i ordered this cheap vortex and it seems solid ...
also ordered a unicook cover for it , i have 3 unicooks on 2 other smokers and our griddle and they have held up just fine for the year or 2 i've use them .

i'm considering the weber grate with the cast iron inset .....

take care , jeff

 

[gmc2003]

Cool Jeff, When you say P-vents are you talking about the daisy wheels or one-touch?

Chris

 

[chopsaw]

The new vents look like the letter P .

 

[JeffB1961]

air vents on the bottom . i didn't think the performer had them .

 

[clifish]

this is the vent on the 22" performer I got today. ignore the dust have not had a chance to clean it up yet

 

[gmc2003]

clifish that's what my vents look like. It looks like with the newer p--vent you'll be able to restrict the airflow a little better. Thanks for the pics. I don't remember seeing these before.

Chris

 

[JeffB1961]

clifish that's what i was expecting . the p vents were a pleasant surprise .
mine came from amazon . i guess weber recently decided it saved $ not having to make two different bottoms for the same size kettle .

 

[clifish]

is there any brand of charcoal better to use? is kingsford hardwood a good choice or any cheap one with wood chunks the best route?

 

[JeffB1961]

haven't cooked on the weber yet , but i've been happy with walmart expert grill charcoal on my OJ bronco drum smoker so that;s what i'll be using .

 

[gmc2003]

I've used Kingsford blue bag, RO and any of their rebranded store brands. Personally I don't really see much of a difference. Except in size. So I usually go for what's on sale.

Chris

 

[clifish]

Hitting up the big orange depot tomorrow, they have the chimney, trays and embers briquets all for decent prices. Probably pick up some hickory chunks as well.

 

[chopsaw]

I pretty much do the same . I like to keep a bag of lump on hand to add during a cook if I need some quick heat .

 

[gmc2003]

You may want to get some apple for the fish you smoke. Just saying...

Chris

 

[Fishonshawn]

Charcoal baskets just allow you to set up 2 zones of cooking. The vortex can be used for the same thing. I flip my vortex upside down (big end up) and use it the same way you would a basket. Just off to the side of the kettle.. If you wana save some money and not get baskets. I rarely use my baskets now.

 

[clifish]

Charcoal baskets just allow you to set up 2 zones of cooking. The vortex can be used for the same thing. I flip my vortex upside down (big end up) and use it the same way you would a basket. Just off to the side of the kettle.. If you wana save some money and not get baskets. I rarely use my baskets now.

yeah I am going back and forth on that, I can get a vortex for 10 bucks on amazon vs 23 for the trays. Maybe I will just use a aluminum tray tomorrow until the vortex comes in.

 

[clifish]

You may want to get some apple for the fish you smoke. Just saying...

Chris

Ha, the screen name really comes from my love of fishing and the keeping and breeding of tropical fish and koi.

The only fish I generally cook is fresh tuna or swordfish steaks and they get don on the griddle.

I think I am going to start tomorrow with chicken drum sticks around the edges (will figure something out until the vortex comes in) with a hickory chunk. Also need to see the accuracy of the lid therm against a calibrated one.

 

[Fueling Around]

Congrats on the new kettle. After a few cooks, you'll be wishing you had picked up one for the PA cabin, too.
My almost 30 YO (22") kettle is nearing end of life. It was a kicked to the curb find and I'm hoping to find a newer model this year.
I haven't used my side baskets since getting a pellet grill. I also don't have a vortex
I just got a 18" Jumbo Joe (JJ) and a basket will be great for that tiny thing to hold the coals tighter in a corner for indirect cooks.
JJ is here in Florida and baskets are home in Minnesota

is there any brand of charcoal better to use? is kingsford hardwood a good choice or any cheap one with wood chunks the best route?

I detest the regular Kingsford flavor. It has a harsh edge to my tonque. I haven't tried the Kingsford hardwood.
I used to use Royal Oak (RO) briquettes and the rebranded seconds. The quality went to ash starting about oh 18 months ago.
Lower heat, more ash, harder to light, and something tasted different.
I tried switching to lump, but the only product I could initial find was RO. That stuff is a joke. Lots of fines and most of the few lumps were kiln dried scraps.
Friend gave me a bag of Frontier lump. Wow, real lump minimal fines, exceptional heat, and minimal ash.
I'm on my 4th bag. I estimate that is equivalent to 8 or more bags of RO briquettes. I did have to modify my chimney starters and charcoal grates to hold the lump pieces.

Sorry, didn't intend to turn this into a charcoal thread, but ... you did ask.

 

[mike243]

All kinds of Kingsford has done great for me, try the hickory , no need to add chunks