Kettle question/ enablement

[fxsales1959]

Happy pre-weekend.
This might get long for a simple question.
Yesterday mama picked up an 8 piece cut up chicken because we like ooey-gooey BBQ chicken on the grill.
It occurred to me that my little smoky Joe (14") might not be sufficient for grilling 8 pieces of chicken with coal management and all. I could actually manage this with just the bottom of my Wsm18. I did a google for weber 22" kettle. Affordable enough @$139 but the latest Weber kettles look a little cheap with legs and all. Many reviews(for what they're worth) compared today's Weber with legacy models. I like the little charcoal side-by-side baskets available for the 22".
I don't want to drop $175.00 to cook a chicken.
So I guess my main question is on the build quality of the newer webers.
I still have a relic Napoleon gasser I could uncover and fire up to see how it functions.

Thanks in a advance.
John

 

[texomakid]

I bought the kettle 22 last summer new at Ace Hardware. Yeah the legs look a little light but overall it's good quality. Nothing wrong with using the bottom of that WSM 18 either. I've got the WSM 22 and the only reason I bought the kettle was not wanting to work so close to the ground. With that 18" you could put it on a metal table and it would be fine.

 

[BigW.]

I love my kettle but cannot see buying one for just a chicken cook. Using your WSM would provide best taste & also the most time. Since you going to be saucing anyway, I'd use the gasser. Won't have to bend down to sauce. Dinner on the table in less than an hour.

 

[millerbuilds]

IMHO- If the only cook is for the chicken, I would stay with the bottom of your WSM, if you do decide on a 22" Kettle, I would go with the premium which has the ash can rather than the "ash bowl" and the factory installed temp gage. While the temp gage is nothing special, the "ash can" is worth the extra money.

- Jason

 

[chopsaw]

I'd buy a kettle to cook 8 pcs. of chicken in a heartbeat .

I bought one on clearance and haven't used it yet .
Don't worry about the quality , and the legs are just fine on the new ones .
Part of what people are seeing with the legs are an incorrect assembly . Either by the store , or themselves .

On the kettle with the ash catcher , the catcher goes before the legs . For a reason that seems to make sense , people put the legs one first . That leaves slop at the top of the leg , and ends up " loose " .
For reference , the ring has a clip at the leg , that goes in before the leg .

Zoomed in on top of the leg . You can see the gap at the top of the leg .
The tongue on the mounting clip on the catcher ring fills that gap .

The tongue on the mounting clip goes in between the top of the leg and the bottom of the bowl . This is " Fixed " after I bought it . ( Floor model ) Those hammer marks aren't from me .


You could also use the Smokey Joe and do 2 batches .

 

[fxsales1959]

I'd buy a kettle to cook 8 pcs. of chicken in a heartbeat .

I bought one on clearance and haven't used it yet .
Don't worry about the quality , and the legs are just fine on the new ones .
Part of what people are seeing with the legs are an incorrect assembly . Either by the store , or themselves .

On the kettle with the ash catcher , the catcher goes before the legs . For a reason that seems to make sense , people put the legs one first . That leaves slop at the top of the leg , and ends up " loose " .
For reference , the ring has a clip at the leg , that goes in before the leg .
View attachment 713980
Zoomed in on top of the leg . You can see the gap at the top of the leg .
The tongue on the mounting clip on the catcher ring fills that gap .
View attachment 713981
The tongue on the mounting clip goes in between the top of the leg and the bottom of the bowl . This is " Fixed " after I bought it . ( Floor model ) Those hammer marks aren't from me .
View attachment 713982

You could also use the Smokey Joe and do 2 batches .

thank you for taking time to explain

 

[JIMSMOKES]

I bought my weber with a vortex added originally just for chicken. I've since added a rotisserie attachment, santa maria and thinkin bout a pizza attachment

 

[BBQ Flash]

If it's only one cook, sure use what you have. Maybe cook in two batches on the Smokey Joe.

But if you anticipate more larger cooks then just get a full-sized kettle.

Here's a thought: nicer Weber kettles show up on market place pretty often. I've seen Performer kettles for pennies on the dollar. Even if you don't get a kettle now, consider that for the long haul.

FWIW I have a 22" and a Smokey Joe. Although I really like the Smokey Joe for camping trips and picnics, I like the extra real estate of a larger grill at home even for smaller cooks. It's great for two zone cooking or using a Vortex. There's even stuff I smoke on the kettle instead of a WSM.

 

[912smoker]

Ranch all the way

Weber Ranch Kettle | Charcoal Grill | Weber Grills

Perfect for parties and groups, the Weber 37” Ranch Kettle charcoal grill’s stainless steel cooking grate boasts 1,104 square inches of cooking space.

www.weber.com

I would try the WSM before I did anything.
BUT.....I would love to have a kettle myself!

Keith

 

[fxsales1959]

If it's only one cook, sure use what you have. Maybe cook in two batches on the Smokey Joe.

But if you anticipate more larger cooks then just get a full-sized kettle.

Here's a thought: nicer Weber kettles show up on market place pretty often. I've seen Performer kettles for pennies on the dollar. Even if you don't get a kettle now, consider that for the long haul.

FWIW I have a 22" and a Smokey Joe. Although I really like the Smokey Joe for camping trips and picnics, I like the extra real estate of a larger grill at home even for smaller cooks. It's great for two zone cooking or using a Vortex. There's even stuff I smoke on the kettle instead of a WSM.

ran the marketplace gamut. down here they want a little more. unfortunately i got that "bug up my butt" so I'm probably going to have to dish out

 

[BrianGSDTexoma]

But if you got a kettle than you can get a Vortex!

 

[SmokingUPnorth]

I’ve gone from using a MES30, MES40, Traeger, 22” WSM. Now I only have a 22” kettle and a vortex. I had the 26” kettle but had to sell it when I transferred but will be buying another one once I get back to the states. Best all around and versatile grill/smoker. I can’t see myself ever not having one or finding something better to upgrade to.

 

[seenred]

I've never heard of anyone ever saying they were sorry they bought a Weber Kettle! Sure, you need an excuse to get one - and cookin' chicken parts is as good as any lol! But once you own it you'll find lots of ways to cook on it. I'm on my 2nd 22", and use it more than any cooker I own.

Red

 

[fxsales1959]

thanks Y'all
I have been enabled.

 

[bigfurmn]

thanks Y'all
I have been enabled.
View attachment 714012


View attachment 714013

Warning... more enabling incoming. Now imagine those chickens on a rotisserie. I got one for Christmas and haven't used it yet. I can't wait to use it though. Just a thought.

 

[912smoker]

Beautiful

Keith

 

[babydocsmoke]

At least you could get it out of your truck this time....by yourself.

Have fun!!

 

[gmc2003]

...And another Kettlehead is born.

Chris

 

[WaterRat]

I’ve been loving mine since last July, with the Vortex!

 

[JIMSMOKES]

thanks Y'all
I have been enabled.
View attachment 714012


View attachment 714013

Thats not the 135.00 model.