Hot take: I picked a Weber kettle over a pellet smoker and don't regret it

I was at Academy in Austin last month, staring at a $800 Traeger and a $150 Weber kettle on clearance. Everyone online says pellet smokers are the future for consistent temps, but I went with the kettle anyway. First brisket took me 14 hours of babysitting coals and wood chunks, but that bark and smoke ring was way better than my buddy's pellet version. Has anyone else gone against the grain on this and come out ahead?

2 comments

2 Comments

the_oliver1mo ago

Man that first brisket grind is real but so worth it. I did the same thing two years ago with a used kettle off Craigslist for 40 bucks. My first pork butt took like 10 hours because I kept messing with the vents trying to hold 225 but the flavor was insane compared to what I get from my uncle's pellet grill. The bark on that thing had this deep smoky crust you just don't get from pellets no matter how much you pay. I still use it for ribs and chicken quarters when I want that charcoal taste. Only thing I miss is being able to set it and forget it but honestly the hands on part is kind of fun once you get used to it.

miles2771mo ago

Dude @the_oliver is right about that crust. Used to be a pellet fanboy but that kettle bark changed my mind.