Love the test. I actually prefer the weber baskets with a twist. When they first came out I had just bought one of the master touch grills they came in. I was a snake guy. So I bought another set if the baskets and after a few cuts, I joined them at a 90 degree. Now I had a snake set of baskets. No bridge needed. The idea works fantastic. I can hold 250 post 6 hours. Only thing better is to find one of the internal ash plates from a 1970s happy cooker, the way it helps control air flow is the game changer of all methods.
Thank you, Tracy. Someone had made a similar video about the same time that I didn't think was fair. I wanted to rerun the tests and see the results. Staring at a kettle with no food in it for 8 hours was worth it to get the information out there.
Well done 👍. 25 years experience with the Weber and I always stick to the basics and use the Weber baskets. Too Many hyped up accessories on the market with average or less than average results.
Thanks Kevin. There are lots of accessories. The one benefit of sticking with the basics is you'll always be able to grill with whatever they have. A kettle is a kettle.
While I do agree with you, I did buy the slow and sear and I really love it. I am an old stick burner guy who recently bought a weber kettle to play around with, now I want the SNS kettle. Lots of fun.
I got the baskets included with the last kettle I bought. Have had the slow and sear for several years and love using it. They both have pluses but if I could only have one it would be the slow and sear. Great video.
I have worked with both....I really have only noticed a difference in the colder months. The SNS would hands down beat the baskets during the winter. During the Summer its nominal.
Both items are a good investment.... I use the 👍🏽Webber baskets👍🏽 for less coals more cooking space for faster cooks as opposed to the 👍🏽SnS👍🏽 more coals longer cooks and the optional water reservoir!
My guys what you do is arrange the baskets in a circle and form a channel “moat” with the inside of the kettle. Then put the briquets in the channel. I put bricks in there too, holds in in place and also a great heat sink to stabilize temps.
I recently won a Weber Performer and fell in love with smoking and grilling. I was looking into the SNS or 2 baskets. I went with the baskets. For me the first basket is starting the second basket from the vent holes in the basket. I do not need to create a bridge on top. I just make sure a vent hole at the back of basket 1 is lined up with a the front of basket 2. When loading the charcoal. I make sure that vent has charcoal touching. The second basket has not failed yet to start. Thanks you for the videos.
Great test, as someone who is actually in the market for both of these and trying to find real unbiased results this is a tremendous video. Keep up the great work I will be looking out for future videos!
Thanks Bryan. I've always said if a pellet grill is what you need to make good BBQ, get one. If something makes your cooking life easier and makes you do it more. Get it!
Excellent test and video. You did it with a positive upbeat attitude, with out anger issues, personal vendettas, and plain old fashioned grouchiness, as some SNS testers seem to do. Love it., And yes the SNS is a better option for a small family meal like just one pork butt, than my 55 gallon UDS is. However if I’m cooking four pork butts then the UDS wins out.
Thanks Lew, I tried to be even. If I had to cook four pork butts I would probably use the UDS too. That way you only have to tend to one fire. My UDS likes to burn stuff on the bottom rack if I'm not careful though.
Thanks for the comprehensive test! Exactly how I would have conducted the test. I was hesitant about the slow and sear for this exact conclusion and have simply used fire bricks to create my basket and have achieved great results on my 26.
That's another good method that people use to get similar results. That's the cool thing about the kettle. There are lots of mods you can do. Find what works for you and make great food.
Great test, great job in doing your best to eliminate variables, which I would say you did almost entirely given this wasn’t in a controlled lab, and also giving all the data points over time. Top notch bud👍, I just found your channel but it’s great stuff and I’m subbed
Thanks, man. I limited as many variables as I could without the lab. I figured most people don't have one to cook in either. I plan on checking your channel out too. Thanks for coming around.
Great vid. I don't know if you care, but another similar channel is Project Farm. This was very similar in many ways, and so I love it. The best explained, scientific breakdown of competing items, AND I love grilling. Great job
I love Project Farm. Thanks for the compliment. I watch his videos just to see how he tests things and am always surprised. I'm working to do a few more tests because they are fun!
I think the drip 'n' griddle pan is an important aspect to the SNS efficiency. It would be interesting to see a similar test re-run with this in place.
I came to the conclusion that I like the weber baskets better, I like the fact they can be moved around easily, I place one on opposite sides of each other and indirect cook in the center of the grill . The sns does hold more charcoal and will last longer during a cook, however I found out while making baked potatoes that somehow the heat doesnt spread out inside the grill as well as having baskets on each side. Normally large potatoes would be done with the weber baskets in an hour, with the sns I had to cook them an extra 15-20min in order to get them done. The sns does get extremely hot for searing though, I just didnt like the indirect results .
Everyone should use what works for them. I tested both and the SNS produces more even temps on the indirect side because it blocks more radiant heat from the coals. That's an interesting result. I would have thought the same temp would result in the same cook time.
You could load up a lot more briquettes in the Slow 'N Sear than in the 2 small baskets and you dont have to monitor anything with the SnS vs the baskets.
Great test I'm happy that you put the time in to do this I use the baskets also and so and had been thinking about getting the slow and sear for a long time I'm really glad to have come across this video so I just subscribed and hope to be able to watch some more thanks
I really like how even the cook temp is on the Slow N Sear. It makes me look good! Thanks for the sub. Let me know if there is something you'd like to see.
Thumbs up. Between you and MeatCranium, I believe the charcoal baskets work well enough. The Slow 'N Sear may be easier to control temp but in the long run not worth the price IMHO. Any Vortex/Vortex clone video on the horizon?
They did require a bit more adjustment, but I didn't calculate the deviation on the second test. I didn't adjust the vents at all on the pulled pork test and the Slow 'N Sear was more consistent there too.
Grill Top Experience good to know, thanks! I just ordered a kettle and some of the baskets, I guess if I have troubles I'll consider the sns. It seemed tough to justify for the extra cost compared to the baskets.
Abc says the drip n griddle pan helps with efficiency. You could simulate that by blocking off the charcoal grate on the other side maybe? Also did you use any water in the SnS? It helps even out the temp swings etc....
I blocked off the charcoal grate and used water when I cooked the pork butt in my upcoming video. Water would kept the temps more consistent, but would have been hard to keep even between the two, so I left it out.
Shots fired, shots fired..... stop the fight, stop the fight. This is how you do a test!! Not that nonsense Meathead has been doing. Great video and good tests.
I prefer the Charcoal Rails, the extra Ash, drops away from the charcoal, also it’s easier to get charcoal that is added to burn. The Rails are also Adjustable on the size.
Great tests!! I know in the Winter months the SNS was a life saver. Being able to dump the charcoal in and run back in the house, makes it well worth it😂
Nice video, and the fairest comparison i've seen comparing baskets to SnS,. That is temperature recorded at the grate or vent, and critically monitoring temperature during the basket bridge.
Hey man the Weber is great but the most important part of this video is Battleships with the ankle biters. I use battleships to teach my grandkids the NASA version of the phonic alphabet.
I think the real efficiency comes from having a drip pan shaped just like the empty space on the charcoal grates so that all the air is re-directed through the charcoal to feed the flame; no air passes through the kettle without being heated up. on top of that, packing the fuel as tightly as possible also ensures no air "leaks" through. as long as you achieve that, all there left is conservation of energy. more fuel == more time; equal fuel == equal time; regardless of the baskets.
Glad you like them! That first "cook" was rough. All the work of watching the kettle, but without the payoff. People wanted to know, so I tried it out.
I just ordered the original SnS. I also like the baskets because they can be split up, or just use one for shorter smokes. I can see both being valuable. One thing I would say about your test is that you should have filmed those temps from both tests, like meat cranium did. I think that would make it more transparent.
Ryan, I would be interested to see you make a Bro N Sear out of the Weber baskets and compare the fuel usage. I'm not saying that they are the same at all,but the fuel capacity is really close. Great comparison and video . Well done Ryan .
Great video! but I’ve never seen anyone do a bridge from basket to basket. Looks like a pain in the butt could create hotspots to the food that’s closer to the grate.What I have seen is a guy cut the ends off two baskets mismatch them a little bit and Boldt them together. To make one long basket. I’ll stick with the SnS👍
You got it! It is a pain to use two baskets and I did one test where the 2nd one didn't light. In this test, the first charcoal basket didn't burn all of the charcoal. I'll stick with the Slow 'N Sear too.
I use the smokenator which seems to be a forgotten technology in the bbq world and I do own the baskets never tried to bridge though, very interesting.
Exactly, or a cloud or the setting sun. All of those should be the same between the two grills since they were right next to each other. Some people are really particular about hitting the perfect temp, but I'm not. My bigger concern is that the temps would run away when I'm not looking. Less variability gives me the confidence to walk away for a bit and not worry.
@@GrillTopExperience I suppose the variability would be diminished considering the fact that they two cookers have lids and a base, with, I imagine, identical vent positions. The only variable to consider elsewhere is airflow and inconsistency among said airflow. But, I suppose another important data point is how long does that differential stand true? With a spike in temperature if it was from 275 to 450, sure, but 275 to 260 (as an example), I don't think that really matters for practical purposes. I won't get into the whole, how was the grill oriented, was one biasing in an open area, etc. However, paying $100 for a 5-10 fahrenheit temperature differential is a moot point when compared to a basket that is $20 for 2. Hell, I could buy five sets of basket for the price of a single slow and sear and use the other four orders as test dummies for the water tray. Also: a cloud isn't changing much, maybe relative ambient, but this is a "closed" system so let's not get too ahead of ourselves. There are some of us out there that actually understand heat transfer, and in a pinch, could produce, via a simple sheet metal model utilizing an engineering software to simulate this "ingenious" (maybe even the draft angle that makes it so good at dispensing coals lol) design of a sheet metal holder. Hell, in fact, this is like a 5 minute model., a few extra minutes for the basic simulation. Furthermore, the whole talk about efficiency is also, just a tad bit, comical. Maybe price to performance and define those variables of efficiency, since, ya' know. Efficiency is relative.
All in all what you're talking about measuring is cook maintenance and convenience, these products both produce very similar results, so your video is just an exercise in grilling nuance and semantics. In the real end the SNS is a more convenient product that is better built, so if you have the coin go with better built always, otherwise the webers are fine. Love ya "grill top" but give us something we can actually use..... Like..... Zone management(more than just direct/indirect) , or smoke science, or even something on grills and PIDs (not on pellets but just regular grills) , give us better bro, give us more, content is king bro
You'd have to get in your time machine to understand the context behind the video. Another TH-camr was getting a ton of views trashing on the SNS by doing experiments that were executed poorly and with incredible bias. This video disputed their findings and also pushed back on SNS's claims that it saves charcoal.
Hi GTE. good test. This controversy can only sell lots of SNS... Another factor is how these units perform in different temperatures, and with and without water. Could you share what you used to graph the cook? I see you have XR50 and so do I. But how did you chart? Is there an App that picks up that RF signal? Thanks, and keep up the good work.
I wish I was that cool and could have used an app. I had an action camera set to take a frame every 30 seconds. I had the XR-50 and a digital clock in the frame. I manually copied the data over after the test was done. I repeated the test when it was 15 degrees F and got similar results. They burned out a lot quicker though. Meat Cranium did a test comparing it with a different method and the Slow 'N Sear was more efficient, but he showed that the temps weren't as even. It's interesting to see the different test methods and results.
@@GrillTopExperience You're even cooler. I'm pretty good at workarounds, but this takes the cake! Thanks for the fast reply. Do you know if anything charts and saves a long cook?
What if you set up the dual baskets one on each side and let them both at the same time then change events on both to achieve the 250 obviously the events will be different on the dual baskets and let the dual baskets burn slower but combined they have the same temperature that way you don't have to worry about a bridge.
I've tried that method, but not in an efficiency test. Separate baskets makes this complicated too because you have to manage two fires and it can be harder to get your temperatures down. I'm sure there are people out there that have mastered it.
Shouldn't one add water to the slow and sear - I mean, that's the main difference is the integrated water resevoir - otherwise you're just testing stainless steel recepticles?
Great point! The challenge is that water takes an incredible amount of energy to boil and evaporate. The Slow 'N Sear would evaporate all of the water, but putting a water pan in front of the coals probably wouldn't and that would skew the results.
What about testing the SNS, using the water reservoir for a low and slow cook, which is what people who own it would use? When I’ve used the Weber baskets, I end up putting water in one of the Weber rectangular drip trays and placing it on the opposite side of the baskets, or in the middle, if I have a basket on each side and I’m doing a beer can chicken.
That's a good point, but I wanted to keep everything as even as possible. The Slow 'N Sear would be more likely to boil off the water, which could reduce it's efficiency. The follow up video I did cooked two pork shoulders and compared the results.
Grill Top Experience Right the water would boil off, but at what point? It is probably a variable time, based on weather, etc., but by not using the water reservoir in a low and slow comparison, which SNS says to use on low and slow cooks, won’t give you a true reading of the SNS’s efficiency.
This is a cool video and it seemed that you didn't have preconceived bias. I'm looking forward to the next video. I know it's impossible to use water in the test, but that really is the slow n sear's advantage. It's heat sync method makes it almost set and forget.
You can get a pair of Weber charcoal baskets on Amazon for 17 bucks. Wire them together. Take a grinder and cut a U-channel between the two so you don't have to worry about building a bridge between the baskets. Done. In my opinion, the Slow n Sear is WAY, WAY overpriced for what it does. YMMV.
Have you guys ever put food on the charcoal grate that SnS sits on? If I can do that and cook two roasts in one kettle at the same time (1 on charcoal grate, 1 on grill grate) that would be a game changer.
They sell a Drip 'N Griddle pan that has a wire rack that goes inside of it. It fits perfectly in the empty space next to the SNS. I haven't tried it, but I know people who have. The only gotcha is the temperature is about 40 degrees lower than the cooking grate level so things take a bit longer to cook.
I'm trying to decide on going with either a Vortex or the SNS. Of course the price difference is a factor as well. $40 vs $100, but I hear that the Vortex can cause damage to the kettle as the temperature gets very hot.
I haven't used the vortex, but I have seen it burn up grill grates. They are really different products. You wouldn't use the vortex for low n slow, but you can sear and cook slow on the Slow N Sear. It really depends on how you want to use it.
Good test bro. I agree with other on the winter months. It would perform greater. I may have asked you this before. But are you running for your mic? The volume and clarity is spot on.
The microphone is a Sony ECMCS3 lav mic hooked up to a a Tascam DR-05. I clean up the audio in Audacity and sync it to the video in post. The only bummer is it only works with 1 person and picks up the neighbors dog really well. I’m looking at trying a shotgun mic to see if I can get around that. I hope life is getting back to normal for you after the hurricane! p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica}
Thanks for noticing! About 3 months after this ABC asked me to make the how to light the Slow N Sear video. I skipped the water because it would evaporate in the SNS and not in the baskets. It takes a lot if energy to boil water and it would have been less efficient. This made it a fair fight.
I think this turned into a slow and sear commercial, honestly. You said the second charcoal basket lasted .5 hours longer than the S&S. So then how does the slow and sear dictate the extra 100.00 in price over the baskets? Maybe the S&S needs a redesign. you all think if it had a pinch in the middle it would last longer?
The only reason the baskets lasted longer was because the temperature dipped in the middle of the test when it didn't jump baskets. In this same video, I repeated the test with a successful bridge and they both went out at the same time. I don't think I would change the design of the Slow 'N Sear. The follow up video to this one showed that the Slow 'N Sear kept a more even temperature across the cooking surface. Is the SNS more efficient than the baskets? No, but it makes it much easier to cook on.
@@GrillTopExperience If you're going to the trouble of cooking on a Weber kettle, how much easier is easier gonna be? I honestly don't see that much difference in the effort required between the two methods (excepting the failed bridge of course - but that's just a matter of experience) Anyway, good stuff. Cheers!
I’m late to the comments - just wanted to say I get the exact same results of a S&S by just blocking off 1/4 of the kettle w a couple firebricks and then using a water pan on the open side. It’s rough on the grills but they’re cheap enough I guess.
I've seen people do that with regular bricks. The firebrick is a better option than a standard red brick for sure! I guess it just depends on how much hassle you want to deal with. Some people like a pre-built solution.
SNSGrills did that same test with some fan controllers. I won't spoil the results, but there were differences. I would be interested in testing to see if there are differences in the end result of your meat.
@@GrillTopExperience I do not have a SnS so it will be hard to test. The brisket I did this WE in the Weber 26" using the snake method was pretty good but I have no point of comparison. Will head out to SNSGrills to see their test. Or even try making a Bro n Sear who knows! Good content.
The Weber baskets are handy for high temp grilling using indirect heat and reverse sear, at least on the 26" weber. They don't hold enough to do low and slow. I got a Smoke-EZ for my 26" weber and use the snake method. Similar to a UDS and works great. @@GrillTopExperience
There are two Weber Baskets that normally equal themselves out. One on each side. Why try to make a bridge of the baskets. It is clear that the Slow and Sear has the advantage when you break up the purpose of two Weber Baskets.
The Slow N' Sear is $127, but the company is looking at selling the reservoir and charcoal basket separately if all you want to do is sear. My UDS cost me about that much + a couple weekends. I'm excited to do the low n slow comparison.
I thought you were sponsored by or were buddies with adrenaline bbq? You did a video for them Raving on their products (got something for your positive review) then you do a video that says you don’t really need it? Can you explain yourself
I have never accepted anything other than products to test from any company for any content on this channel. I was compensated to make a few videos for the Adrenaline BBQ channel (Now SNS Grills) and it shouldn't be a surprise that the primary purpose of those videos is an advertisement for their products. This video was made several months before they approached me about making content for them and that was only for a short time.
I haven't seen any that'll fit anything less than the 18" grills. You may need to make something custom. You might try making a wall of aluminum foil as a test so you can get the size right.
Another great video - You need to make a "Bro-N-Sear". Take both baskets open them up and connect them together to make the same size and shape as the slow-N-Sear. Search TH-cam.
What if you lit both baskets at the same time but dampened them down so that when burning together they would maintain 250 F Then you wouldn't worry about the bridge.
That's a good question. I'm not sure what would happen, but I have a couple questions that it would answer: 1) Could you get the temp down if you lit both sides and 2) Would lighting at both ends make it burn out faster?
I use the Tascam dr-05 and a Sony lav mic. Most of the magic is done in post with Audacity. I also got some help in this video from a big wildfire. The air was bad and everyone kept their kids and dogs inside.
I used two black kettles for an even comparison. My black one gets well over 100 degrees if it's in the sun and I don't have a red one to test. I bet there is a small difference, but your best bet is to get the one you like the best. The Canadian Spring Green or Slate Blue kettles are my favorites.
I’m not sure why the sns is compared to baskets. Why not run the test with banked charcoal and no baskets? A drip pan opposite of coals will contain them. You could even fill the pan with water and the sns with water. If you have time, run the test again. No bridge to fail and the drip pan method costs $0 dollars. Even better than baskets
This video was in response to another test using the baskets that used methods that had a few issues that skewed the test. There's another one similar to what you mentioned comparing the snake method and the SNS that had different results. The baskets keep the hot coals away from the kettle walls and I'd bet the bank method would be less efficient. I guess we won't know until we test it.
If you are looking to buy a Slow 'N Sear direct from the source, here is the link:
snsgrills.com/collections/slow-n-sear/?afmc=GTE
Many thanks ! Good info
Love the test. I actually prefer the weber baskets with a twist. When they first came out I had just bought one of the master touch grills they came in. I was a snake guy. So I bought another set if the baskets and after a few cuts, I joined them at a 90 degree. Now I had a snake set of baskets. No bridge needed. The idea works fantastic. I can hold 250 post 6 hours. Only thing better is to find one of the internal ash plates from a 1970s happy cooker, the way it helps control air flow is the game changer of all methods.
That's definitely a good mod on the two baskets. They just aren't big enough by themselves to go low and slow for a long time. Thank you for the tips.
You exactly explained why I bought a SnS. The Weber charcoal baskets are just two small and require more babysitting. For me, it was worth it.
I agree. Less hassle means spending more time doing other things!
Excellent test and video. The time you took to do all that testing is a labor of love for better BBQ. Thank you.
Thank you, Tracy. Someone had made a similar video about the same time that I didn't think was fair. I wanted to rerun the tests and see the results. Staring at a kettle with no food in it for 8 hours was worth it to get the information out there.
Well done 👍. 25 years experience with the Weber and I always stick to the basics and use the Weber baskets. Too Many hyped up accessories on the market with average or less than average results.
Thanks Kevin. There are lots of accessories. The one benefit of sticking with the basics is you'll always be able to grill with whatever they have. A kettle is a kettle.
Slow and sear is the bomb. Hard to trust and let go of the money. Works great
While I do agree with you, I did buy the slow and sear and I really love it. I am an old stick burner guy who recently bought a weber kettle to play around with, now I want the SNS kettle. Lots of fun.
I got the baskets included with the last kettle I bought. Have had the slow and sear for several years and love using it. They both have pluses but if I could only have one it would be the slow and sear. Great video.
I have worked with both....I really have only noticed a difference in the colder months. The SNS would hands down beat the baskets during the winter. During the Summer its nominal.
I’m impressed that they were only a gram off. Shows great product quality. Excellent video Sir!
That one surprised me too. Individual briquettes vary widely, but a random sample of 80 evens that out.
Both items are a good investment.... I use the 👍🏽Webber baskets👍🏽 for less coals more cooking space for faster cooks as opposed to the
👍🏽SnS👍🏽 more coals longer cooks and the optional water reservoir!
My guys what you do is arrange the baskets in a circle and form a channel “moat” with the inside of the kettle. Then put the briquets in the channel. I put bricks in there too, holds in in place and also a great heat sink to stabilize temps.
I recently won a Weber Performer and fell in love with smoking and grilling. I was looking into the SNS or 2 baskets. I went with the baskets. For me the first basket is starting the second basket from the vent holes in the basket. I do not need to create a bridge on top. I just make sure a vent hole at the back of basket 1 is lined up with a the front of basket 2. When loading the charcoal. I make sure that vent has charcoal touching. The second basket has not failed yet to start. Thanks you for the videos.
That's a great tip to get good vent hole alignment. I hadn't considered that or seen anyone else talk about it.
Thanks for taking the time. 👍
Great test, as someone who is actually in the market for both of these and trying to find real unbiased results this is a tremendous video. Keep up the great work I will be looking out for future videos!
Thanks Bryan. I've always said if a pellet grill is what you need to make good BBQ, get one. If something makes your cooking life easier and makes you do it more. Get it!
Excellent test and video. You did it with a positive upbeat attitude, with out anger issues, personal vendettas, and plain old fashioned grouchiness, as some SNS testers seem to do. Love it.,
And yes the SNS is a better option for a small family meal like just one pork butt, than my 55 gallon UDS is.
However if I’m cooking four pork butts then the UDS wins out.
Thanks Lew, I tried to be even. If I had to cook four pork butts I would probably use the UDS too. That way you only have to tend to one fire. My UDS likes to burn stuff on the bottom rack if I'm not careful though.
silly either go for trial and error or read a book lol
$15 baskets vs $100 slow n sear.
Thanks for the comprehensive test! Exactly how I would have conducted the test. I was hesitant about the slow and sear for this exact conclusion and have simply used fire bricks to create my basket and have achieved great results on my 26.
That's another good method that people use to get similar results. That's the cool thing about the kettle. There are lots of mods you can do. Find what works for you and make great food.
Glad I stumbled across this, actually just bought both the SnS and the Weber baskets. Excited to try both!
Nice! You are all set and ready to go for anything that comes up.
Exactly! Problem is takes 2 baskets for Weber charcoal basket method. I’ve used baskets and seams like there is always airflow issues.
Great test, great job in doing your best to eliminate variables, which I would say you did almost entirely given this wasn’t in a controlled lab, and also giving all the data points over time. Top notch bud👍, I just found your channel but it’s great stuff and I’m subbed
Thanks, man. I limited as many variables as I could without the lab. I figured most people don't have one to cook in either. I plan on checking your channel out too. Thanks for coming around.
Great vid. I don't know if you care, but another similar channel is Project Farm. This was very similar in many ways, and so I love it. The best explained, scientific breakdown of competing items, AND I love grilling. Great job
I love Project Farm. Thanks for the compliment. I watch his videos just to see how he tests things and am always surprised. I'm working to do a few more tests because they are fun!
If I have the time to do a slow cook, slow n sear. If not, weber baskets. Both are excellent products.
Nice friendly test. I enjoyed watching.
Thanks! I tried to keep this one unbiased by maintaining the temperature.
Nice vid, thanks. Can you pls make a vid of how to do a proper bridge with the weber baskets? I only have those, and want to try low n slow cook.
I think the drip 'n' griddle pan is an important aspect to the SNS efficiency. It would be interesting to see a similar test re-run with this in place.
Dude thanks for making these videos!
You're welcome. That was a long night with nothing on the kettle!
I came to the conclusion that I like the weber baskets better, I like the fact they can be moved around easily, I place one on opposite sides of each other and indirect cook in the center of the grill . The sns does hold more charcoal and will last longer during a cook, however I found out while making baked potatoes that somehow the heat doesnt spread out inside the grill as well as having baskets on each side.
Normally large potatoes would be done with the weber baskets in an hour, with the sns I had to cook them an extra 15-20min in order to get them done. The sns does get extremely hot for searing though, I just didnt like the indirect results .
Everyone should use what works for them. I tested both and the SNS produces more even temps on the indirect side because it blocks more radiant heat from the coals. That's an interesting result. I would have thought the same temp would result in the same cook time.
You could load up a lot more briquettes in the Slow 'N Sear than in the 2 small baskets and you dont have to monitor anything with the SnS vs the baskets.
I don't normally pay as much attention to the SNS, but I had to keep the temps consistent for the sake of the experiment.
Excellent job! Nice to see a fairly run comparison.
Thank you JD. I wanted to see what it would do under a fair test.
over 45 years using a weber kettle. i need no baskets no lid gauge. i turn out great bbq with out all them gismos
Great test I'm happy that you put the time in to do this I use the baskets also and so and had been thinking about getting the slow and sear for a long time I'm really glad to have come across this video so I just subscribed and hope to be able to watch some more thanks
I really like how even the cook temp is on the Slow N Sear. It makes me look good! Thanks for the sub. Let me know if there is something you'd like to see.
Thumbs up. Between you and MeatCranium, I believe the charcoal baskets work well enough. The Slow 'N Sear may be easier to control temp but in the long run not worth the price IMHO. Any Vortex/Vortex clone video on the horizon?
I did everything I could to make this an even test to compare the two. I even repeated it when it messed up. Did I miss anything?
Grill Top Experience on the second test did the baskets still require more adjustment?
They did require a bit more adjustment, but I didn't calculate the deviation on the second test. I didn't adjust the vents at all on the pulled pork test and the Slow 'N Sear was more consistent there too.
Grill Top Experience good to know, thanks! I just ordered a kettle and some of the baskets, I guess if I have troubles I'll consider the sns. It seemed tough to justify for the extra cost compared to the baskets.
Abc says the drip n griddle pan helps with efficiency. You could simulate that by blocking off the charcoal grate on the other side maybe?
Also did you use any water in the SnS? It helps even out the temp swings etc....
I blocked off the charcoal grate and used water when I cooked the pork butt in my upcoming video. Water would kept the temps more consistent, but would have been hard to keep even between the two, so I left it out.
Shots fired, shots fired..... stop the fight, stop the fight. This is how you do a test!! Not that nonsense Meathead has been doing. Great video and good tests.
Thanks! My only goal was to make a fair test and see what came of it.
I prefer the Charcoal Rails, the extra Ash, drops away from the charcoal, also it’s easier to get charcoal that is added to burn. The Rails are also Adjustable on the size.
Take two baskets apart and make one larger basket, works just as good as the L&S. Use the extra money to buy better meat.
Great tests!! I know in the Winter months the SNS was a life saver. Being able to dump the charcoal in and run back in the house, makes it well worth it😂
Thanks, Christy. Winter is coming and I'll have a chance to try it. The big charcoal capacity should help with staying inside too!
Nice video, and the fairest comparison i've seen comparing baskets to SnS,. That is temperature recorded at the grate or vent, and critically monitoring temperature during the basket bridge.
Thanks Spence. That graph was from the first test, but it was interesting to see how quickly it dropped when the first basket started to burn out.
I noticed you work for the Adrenaline barbecue company, the makers of the Slow n Sear. Good video here, but one can't argue that there isn't a bias.
It's important to not the timeline of events. I was not working with them when this video was made. My first video with them came much later.
Hey man the Weber is great but the most important part of this video is Battleships with the ankle biters. I use battleships to teach my grandkids the NASA version of the phonic alphabet.
I was on the phone with tech support and she said as in "Girl, Baby, Daddy". Like what? Oh you mean Golf, Bravo, Delta!
Thanks dude, I use the baskets but never thought to use 'em like this, cheers.
Glad to help! Learn from my fail and make sure the fire bridges to the other side.
Don't use either, just heap it up one side.
Just make a bro N sear
Both methods are more efficient than just piling it up because they retain the heat.
I think the real efficiency comes from having a drip pan shaped just like the empty space on the charcoal grates so that all the air is re-directed through the charcoal to feed the flame; no air passes through the kettle without being heated up. on top of that, packing the fuel as tightly as possible also ensures no air "leaks" through. as long as you achieve that, all there left is conservation of energy. more fuel == more time; equal fuel == equal time; regardless of the baskets.
I cracked at the Battleships. Well done!
Ha! I forgot that I did that. It's still fun to play!
Thanks for taking the time to do these cook-offs. Good fun content.
Glad you like them! That first "cook" was rough. All the work of watching the kettle, but without the payoff. People wanted to know, so I tried it out.
I just ordered the original SnS. I also like the baskets because they can be split up, or just use one for shorter smokes. I can see both being valuable.
One thing I would say about your test is that you should have filmed those temps from both tests, like meat cranium did. I think that would make it more transparent.
Ryan, I would be interested to see you make a Bro N Sear out of the Weber baskets and compare the fuel usage. I'm not saying that they are the same at all,but the fuel capacity is really close. Great comparison and video . Well done Ryan .
Thanks, Kent. I made a bro n sear last week and have been testing it. We'll see what comes of it!
Ryan , that's cool. I can't wait to see the results. I have never compared the two at all. Keep up the good videos ! Thanks Ryan.
Great video! but I’ve never seen anyone do a bridge from basket to basket. Looks like a pain in the butt could create hotspots to the food that’s closer to the grate.What I have seen is a guy cut the ends off two baskets mismatch them a little bit and Boldt them together. To make one long basket. I’ll stick with the SnS👍
You got it! It is a pain to use two baskets and I did one test where the 2nd one didn't light. In this test, the first charcoal basket didn't burn all of the charcoal. I'll stick with the Slow 'N Sear too.
Great video. Your audio is great.
Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it.
I use the smokenator which seems to be a forgotten technology in the bbq world and I do own the baskets never tried to bridge though, very interesting.
Do you get good results from the smokenator? I've seen those for a long time and wondered how they work.
Obviously you cannot control the weather, but maybe the temperature highs/lows were attributed to weather fluctuates or gusts of wind.
Exactly, or a cloud or the setting sun. All of those should be the same between the two grills since they were right next to each other. Some people are really particular about hitting the perfect temp, but I'm not. My bigger concern is that the temps would run away when I'm not looking. Less variability gives me the confidence to walk away for a bit and not worry.
@@GrillTopExperience I suppose the variability would be diminished considering the fact that they two cookers have lids and a base, with, I imagine, identical vent positions.
The only variable to consider elsewhere is airflow and inconsistency among said airflow. But, I suppose another important data point is how long does that differential stand true? With a spike in temperature if it was from 275 to 450, sure, but 275 to 260 (as an example), I don't think that really matters for practical purposes.
I won't get into the whole, how was the grill oriented, was one biasing in an open area, etc. However, paying $100 for a 5-10 fahrenheit temperature differential is a moot point when compared to a basket that is $20 for 2.
Hell, I could buy five sets of basket for the price of a single slow and sear and use the other four orders as test dummies for the water tray.
Also: a cloud isn't changing much, maybe relative ambient, but this is a "closed" system so let's not get too ahead of ourselves. There are some of us out there that actually understand heat transfer, and in a pinch, could produce, via a simple sheet metal model utilizing an engineering software to simulate this "ingenious" (maybe even the draft angle that makes it so good at dispensing coals lol) design of a sheet metal holder. Hell, in fact, this is like a 5 minute model., a few extra minutes for the basic simulation.
Furthermore, the whole talk about efficiency is also, just a tad bit, comical. Maybe price to performance and define those variables of efficiency, since, ya' know. Efficiency is relative.
All in all what you're talking about measuring is cook maintenance and convenience, these products both produce very similar results, so your video is just an exercise in grilling nuance and semantics. In the real end the SNS is a more convenient product that is better built, so if you have the coin go with better built always, otherwise the webers are fine. Love ya "grill top" but give us something we can actually use..... Like..... Zone management(more than just direct/indirect) , or smoke science, or even something on grills and PIDs (not on pellets but just regular grills) , give us better bro, give us more, content is king bro
You'd have to get in your time machine to understand the context behind the video. Another TH-camr was getting a ton of views trashing on the SNS by doing experiments that were executed poorly and with incredible bias. This video disputed their findings and also pushed back on SNS's claims that it saves charcoal.
Thanks for the video. What was the reason of adding the potato? @7:36
It was just to hold the probe off the charcoal grate so I could get a good temp.
Should you always use both baskets?
One basket won't hold enough charcoal for a long cook. That's one benefit of the SNS
Which potato turned out better
I have to take the price of the S&S and I have the baskets. I have great results with the baskets.
Nice comparison Ryan. If i had one i would do a comparison in the winter. Cold enough here :)
Good idea Lasse! Hobol wants the test done on the North Pole and you are the closest person I know. :)
Hi GTE. good test. This controversy can only sell lots of SNS... Another factor is how these units perform in different temperatures, and with and without water.
Could you share what you used to graph the cook? I see you have XR50 and so do I. But how did you chart? Is there an App that picks up that RF signal?
Thanks, and keep up the good work.
I wish I was that cool and could have used an app. I had an action camera set to take a frame every 30 seconds. I had the XR-50 and a digital clock in the frame. I manually copied the data over after the test was done.
I repeated the test when it was 15 degrees F and got similar results. They burned out a lot quicker though. Meat Cranium did a test comparing it with a different method and the Slow 'N Sear was more efficient, but he showed that the temps weren't as even. It's interesting to see the different test methods and results.
@@GrillTopExperience You're even cooler. I'm pretty good at workarounds, but this takes the cake! Thanks for the fast reply. Do you know if anything charts and saves a long cook?
What if you set up the dual baskets one on each side and let them both at the same time then change events on both to achieve the 250 obviously the events will be different on the dual baskets and let the dual baskets burn slower but combined they have the same temperature that way you don't have to worry about a bridge.
I've tried that method, but not in an efficiency test. Separate baskets makes this complicated too because you have to manage two fires and it can be harder to get your temperatures down. I'm sure there are people out there that have mastered it.
Stainless steel bowl with water in it, heap the coals to one side. Easy
Yep, I bought a SS dog bowl at a second hand shop, 3 bucks.
Shouldn't one add water to the slow and sear - I mean, that's the main difference is the integrated water resevoir - otherwise you're just testing stainless steel recepticles?
Great point! The challenge is that water takes an incredible amount of energy to boil and evaporate. The Slow 'N Sear would evaporate all of the water, but putting a water pan in front of the coals probably wouldn't and that would skew the results.
What about testing the SNS, using the water reservoir for a low and slow cook, which is what people who own it would use? When I’ve used the Weber baskets, I end up putting water in one of the Weber rectangular drip trays and placing it on the opposite side of the baskets, or in the middle, if I have a basket on each side and I’m doing a beer can chicken.
That's a good point, but I wanted to keep everything as even as possible. The Slow 'N Sear would be more likely to boil off the water, which could reduce it's efficiency. The follow up video I did cooked two pork shoulders and compared the results.
Grill Top Experience Right the water would boil off, but at what point? It is probably a variable time, based on weather, etc., but by not using the water reservoir in a low and slow comparison, which SNS says to use on low and slow cooks, won’t give you a true reading of the SNS’s efficiency.
This is a cool video and it seemed that you didn't have preconceived bias. I'm looking forward to the next video. I know it's impossible to use water in the test, but that really is the slow n sear's advantage. It's heat sync method makes it almost set and forget.
Thank you. There will be water in the next test though and each will use the best method I could find to cook with them.
You can get a pair of Weber charcoal baskets on Amazon for 17 bucks. Wire them together. Take a grinder and cut a U-channel between the two so you don't have to worry about building a bridge between the baskets. Done. In my opinion, the Slow n Sear is WAY, WAY overpriced for what it does. YMMV.
I think they call that the bro 'n sear!
Have you guys ever put food on the charcoal grate that SnS sits on? If I can do that and cook two roasts in one kettle at the same time (1 on charcoal grate, 1 on grill grate) that would be a game changer.
They sell a Drip 'N Griddle pan that has a wire rack that goes inside of it. It fits perfectly in the empty space next to the SNS. I haven't tried it, but I know people who have. The only gotcha is the temperature is about 40 degrees lower than the cooking grate level so things take a bit longer to cook.
I took both the Weber baskets apart and then screw them together so if they were the same size as the slow and sear guess what it works
That's the bro N sear. Not as good, but a lot cheaper.
@@GrillTopExperience Haven't seen the video that shows it's not as good.
Made my own in 5 minutes with a scrap piece of chicken wire using needle nose pliers. Works a treat!
I'm damn proud of you.
Would like to see that piece of scrap!
I'm trying to decide on going with either a Vortex or the SNS. Of course the price difference is a factor as well. $40 vs $100, but I hear that the Vortex can cause damage to the kettle as the temperature gets very hot.
I haven't used the vortex, but I have seen it burn up grill grates. They are really different products. You wouldn't use the vortex for low n slow, but you can sear and cook slow on the Slow N Sear. It really depends on how you want to use it.
Good test bro. I agree with other on the winter months. It would perform greater. I may have asked you this before. But are you running for your mic? The volume and clarity is spot on.
The microphone is a Sony ECMCS3 lav mic hooked up to a a Tascam DR-05. I clean up the audio in Audacity and sync it to the video in post. The only bummer is it only works with 1 person and picks up the neighbors dog really well. I’m looking at trying a shotgun mic to see if I can get around that.
I hope life is getting back to normal for you after the hurricane!
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Show this using the slow n sear like the company recommends. Lighting from one end and adding water. It makes a difference.
Thanks for noticing! About 3 months after this ABC asked me to make the how to light the Slow N Sear video. I skipped the water because it would evaporate in the SNS and not in the baskets. It takes a lot if energy to boil water and it would have been less efficient. This made it a fair fight.
Nice job. I don't have a Weber so I was more interested in that pumpkin spice bologna lol.
I'm sorry to tell you this, but pumpkin spice bologna is just fake news! I thought that might be better than the roadkill other people ask about.
Grill Top Experience that is hilarious 😂 thanks for the laugh
I think this turned into a slow and sear commercial, honestly. You said the second charcoal basket lasted .5 hours longer than the S&S. So then how does the slow and sear dictate the extra 100.00 in price over the baskets? Maybe the S&S needs a redesign. you all think if it had a pinch in the middle it would last longer?
The only reason the baskets lasted longer was because the temperature dipped in the middle of the test when it didn't jump baskets. In this same video, I repeated the test with a successful bridge and they both went out at the same time. I don't think I would change the design of the Slow 'N Sear. The follow up video to this one showed that the Slow 'N Sear kept a more even temperature across the cooking surface. Is the SNS more efficient than the baskets? No, but it makes it much easier to cook on.
@@GrillTopExperience If you're going to the trouble of cooking on a Weber kettle, how much easier is easier gonna be? I honestly don't see that much difference in the effort required between the two methods (excepting the failed bridge of course - but that's just a matter of experience) Anyway, good stuff. Cheers!
I’m late to the comments - just wanted to say I get the exact same results of a S&S by just blocking off 1/4 of the kettle w a couple firebricks and then using a water pan on the open side. It’s rough on the grills but they’re cheap enough I guess.
I've seen people do that with regular bricks. The firebrick is a better option than a standard red brick for sure! I guess it just depends on how much hassle you want to deal with. Some people like a pre-built solution.
Ho did the potatoes that were holding the probes turn out? You did cook those.
You know, I don't remember! Those potatoes do a great service to the rest of the cook, but don't get any credit for their service.
Nice comparison!
Thank you for checking it out Tom.
I have xl on 26” Weber and I barely get 6 hours at 250 degrees before I have to add charcoal..,,
I don't have a 26", but I'm surprised that the time doesn't match the smaller kettle since it holds more charcoal. That's good to keep in mind though.
Excellent. Thumbs up for effort.
Thank you! Cheers! This one was a lot of work, but worth it since so many people were interested.
Grill Top Experience - have you ever tried a tandoor clay oven?
Never a tandoor, but I have a kamado and had really good luck with that too. I haven't dialed it in well enough to make a video.
Grill Top Experience - ok it seems the “deeper” the bbq or grill the better the meat seems to taste. That’s been my experience. Excellent videos.
Slow n sear vs The Snake? Pretty good results with the snake
SNSGrills did that same test with some fan controllers. I won't spoil the results, but there were differences. I would be interested in testing to see if there are differences in the end result of your meat.
@@GrillTopExperience I do not have a SnS so it will be hard to test. The brisket I did this WE in the Weber 26" using the snake method was pretty good but I have no point of comparison. Will head out to SNSGrills to see their test. Or even try making a Bro n Sear who knows! Good content.
I very much enjoyed yer testin methods, an explanation of yer whole process...thanks fer takin th time! I'm off to see yer pork but video, now...;-)
Thank you Mr. Bones. I wanted to be transparent in the process so others could give it a try too.
Thanks
i threw thos baskets out by 2nd use.,. SNS is king
It's true. They are too small to be useful.
The Weber baskets are handy for high temp grilling using indirect heat and reverse sear, at least on the 26" weber. They don't hold enough to do low and slow. I got a Smoke-EZ for my 26" weber and use the snake method. Similar to a UDS and works great. @@GrillTopExperience
There are two Weber Baskets that normally equal themselves out. One on each side. Why try to make a bridge of the baskets. It is clear that the Slow and Sear has the advantage when you break up the purpose of two Weber Baskets.
I'm not really sure that you named a winner?
looks like a great comparison!! how much your slow n sear cost?
The Slow N' Sear is $127, but the company is looking at selling the reservoir and charcoal basket separately if all you want to do is sear. My UDS cost me about that much + a couple weekends. I'm excited to do the low n slow comparison.
Great Video! Hey could you do the same experiment using a couple of bricks against the SnS? I bet you'll find 2 bricks just as efficient as the SnS
Thanks for the idea! I'm also thinking about making a Bro 'N Sear to see what happens.
I thought you were sponsored by or were buddies with adrenaline bbq? You did a video for them Raving on their products (got something for your positive review) then you do a video that says you don’t really need it? Can you explain yourself
I have never accepted anything other than products to test from any company for any content on this channel. I was compensated to make a few videos for the Adrenaline BBQ channel (Now SNS Grills) and it shouldn't be a surprise that the primary purpose of those videos is an advertisement for their products. This video was made several months before they approached me about making content for them and that was only for a short time.
Does anyone make a smaller charcoal basket or charcoal seperator that will fit my Weber 14” portable smokey joe? So I can do indirect cooking. Thank
I haven't seen any that'll fit anything less than the 18" grills. You may need to make something custom. You might try making a wall of aluminum foil as a test so you can get the size right.
Another great video - You need to make a "Bro-N-Sear". Take both baskets open them up and connect them together to make the same size and shape as the slow-N-Sear. Search TH-cam.
I did 😀 th-cam.com/video/yuUysmBhhyQ/w-d-xo.html
@@GrillTopExperience I should have guessed - You the man! Let me ask - Do you use the fire cube starters or the Chimneys more and why?
What if you lit both baskets at the same time but dampened them down so that when burning together they would maintain 250 F Then you wouldn't worry about the bridge.
That's a good question. I'm not sure what would happen, but I have a couple questions that it would answer: 1) Could you get the temp down if you lit both sides and 2) Would lighting at both ends make it burn out faster?
Please test premier six sustainable charcoal
For an efficiency test or just general use?
We really need both as its a new product. Id love to see how it fits in a slow and sear as well.
Great video!
Thanks for checking it out. This one took some work to put together!
I can tell. Great audio. What kind of mic did you use?
I use the Tascam dr-05 and a Sony lav mic. Most of the magic is done in post with Audacity. I also got some help in this video from a big wildfire. The air was bad and everyone kept their kids and dogs inside.
Great video. TFS!
Are you going to try red kettle vs black kettle?
I used two black kettles for an even comparison. My black one gets well over 100 degrees if it's in the sun and I don't have a red one to test. I bet there is a small difference, but your best bet is to get the one you like the best. The Canadian Spring Green or Slate Blue kettles are my favorites.
Great vid. Just subbed
Thanks. I'm glad to see you back on TH-cam. I'm excited to see the new place.
I’m not sure why the sns is compared to baskets. Why not run the test with banked charcoal and no baskets? A drip pan opposite of coals will contain them. You could even fill the pan with water and the sns with water. If you have time, run the test again. No bridge to fail and the drip pan method costs $0 dollars. Even better than baskets
This video was in response to another test using the baskets that used methods that had a few issues that skewed the test. There's another one similar to what you mentioned comparing the snake method and the SNS that had different results. The baskets keep the hot coals away from the kettle walls and I'd bet the bank method would be less efficient. I guess we won't know until we test it.
I did a test with can beer and glass bottle beer.
Please don't ask for the final results. Some how I lost the data. GRINS
Do you have a link for the vent tabs?
Wow! That’s technical
Coming up with the experiment was the easy part. Staring at the kettles for 8 hours . . . not so much! Thank you for checking it out Michael.
Excellent video! I just subscribed to your channel!
Thanks Jeff. Let me know if there is a video you'd like to see made.
The price makes the Weber a no-brainer win to me...
More important things! (: heck yes, what an awesome dad Ur. Cool video.