Sorry to Ask....But Which Grill

[Smokin-Canuck]

I know this question has likely been asked a dozen times but I'm stuck on a decision and I'd appreciate your thoughts.

Let me first say a I have a WSM 18.5" as my go-to smoker and I love it. I have a Weber Q320 as a gasser so the void currently is a charcoal grill. I have a buddy who bought my Weber Performer (Silver) - he really liked the space-saving fold down table for his small patio.

Soooooooo..........Akorn or Performer Platnium? Just remember, I have the WSM as the smoking work-horse - so although this purchase could be responsible for the odd smaller smoke, most of it's work will be grilling and high temp cooks e.g. steaks.

Personally I'm leaning towards a "crimson" Performer for the following reasons:

- bigger grill
- more versatile
- easier 2 zone setups
- Weber quality, warranty, parts availability, etc....
- the new crimson is "sexy"

[Ron_L]

Either one would do a fine job, but I think all of your reasons to lean toward the performer are good ones. It would be very hard to regret betting the Performer.

[cmwr]

I just used my performer today for the first time in a long time to grill 6 rib eyes and 2 t bones and I will say the performer rocks! And before I ever owned an actual smoker, I learned to smoke ribs on my performer. Nothing short of an awesome grill!

[NRA4Life]

Weber. Their customer service cannot be beaten.

[Happy Hapgood]

Weber Dude.

[1911Ron]

I'd go for the Weber why well lets say i have a thing for them!

[smoke ninja]

Being from a cold climate the akorn would be fuel efficient and you have a good smoker already. ........but I can say for sure that a weber will last at least a decade, probably way longer. I'm sure the akorn will last with care but ain't nobody got time for that. So my conclusion is to build a drum.

[smoke ninja]

If you cook a lot at one time a 26 kettle would suit your needs for that price, you just have to build a table.

[jjjonz]

Performer Platinum ....gas assist. The best all around grill/smoker on the market and so easy to operate and clean.jmho

[JazzyBadger]

If you want to make pizzas, then the Akorn would be a good choice.
Of course you can always just buy that pizza conversion kit for a Kettle cooker as well, or build one yourself if you were so inclined.

Also I'd just like to say you shouldn't feel the need to apologize. People might ask this question a lot, but it's rarely for the exact same reasons.
Every situation is different. PLUS you're asking a bunch of people on the internet for an opinion. That's a DREAM COME TRUE!

[Fatmike]

Weber def....my Akorn leaks terrible and needs a bunch of mods to get it to low and slow.

[THoey1963]

It's not for everyone (you have to bend over), but if you turn your WSM coal grate and ring into a true basket, then attach four large eye bolts to the coal grate to be able to grab and shake the ash off with, you can then set a grill grate across the top of those eye bolts and be cooking right above the coals. I did this to my WSM 22.5" and then use my gasser for just high heat grilling like chicken.

We did some Korean ribs on ours and got a great grill cook with a nice sear.

[Rusty Kettle]

You sold your silver? Shame on you lol only kidding. You can guess what I am going to say get the performer weber is the best. I love kettle grills.

[Fwismoker]

Mini WSM hands down and there isn't a close second place. I smoke, grill and sear most of my meals on it.

[samfsu]

I love my performer for a few reasons. Oak grilled steaks. Anything smoked that I want to do a high heat sear on after(like the wings I smoked today for an hour indirect, then spread out the coals and crisped them up). Honestly I have not used it for "smaller" smokes because I have the WSM and it is a workhorse for quality bbq. My performer has the gas assist and I use that to start the charcoal for my smokers all the time. All around great grill.