Why the Huntsman is a Game Changer

The Huntsman grill from Spider Grills has gotten a lot of buzz, but can it live up to they hype? I've had some time to test it and let you know what I learned.
Spider Grills gave a great deal for all of you. If you use promo code "grilltop" at checkout, they'll throw in a battery for free so you don't have to use an extension cord to power your Huntsman.
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[@drdrew3]

The grill is amazingly overbuilt but then the cooking surface is pitifully small and the cover doesn’t have enough clearance for a decent pork butt. I’d love to meet the guy who designed this and see if he knows how to cook for a family

[@1230mkelly]

Interesting.....You are absolutely right. Something tells me, like a newer model cell phone, that they will be making a bigger version of this grill that will address the ceiling's clearance issues that will keep some customers on the fence from making the decision to purchase just for the very reason that you've mentioned.

[@correctionalofficer4lockdo763]

The next model they improve with a much larger size will run three times the entry level price and will probably amount upwards $2,000 for an XL 24 inch size. This is a marketing ploy to reel the customer in.

[@markshoup]

I believe there is a lower rack accessory giving more space between grates and lid.

[@allnamestaken10]

Isn't there a pork butt on it?

[@purleybaker]

Thanks for the thorough review. This is a lot of grill for the money.

[@SmokedReb]

Thanks for the review! There are so many great options out there it is hard for the BBQ newcomers to make a wise decision on which grill to get. Cheers!

[@Southjerseysmokin]

It looks really cool but that’s a lot of money for such a small cooking space. If you waited to the fall you could probably score a Weber sumit for the same price on sale

[@JoeAnshien]

Great review and super nice grill. I think the outside is powder coated as that is what Spider has said.

[@scottroberts3705]

Good review ! Can't wait until you show us a cook!!!

[@jeffreyfwagner]

I am keeping the Weber I bought in 1986 that has only a few parts replaced over the years.

[@wjb111]

Yes, I still like my 1984 Weber kettle!

[@Engineer_Heathen]

I'm probably just going to get the controller for my Weber, but i must admit this grill looks awesome.

[@jernigan007]

that looks to be a stout grill ! if i didnt already have 2 kettles, i'd be interested to try it out

[@EyeOfRah]

I do like the door for adding or stirring charcoal/fuel. It probably will give less ash flying onto the meat

[@RaymondUrias]

Can they hire you as the spokesperson! I learned more from your video then any other one

[@lowdownone]

Probably the most useful but underrated feature is the increased distance between grate and charcoal. I wish there was a way to maybe unhinge the lid so as to utilize some type of rotisserie kit.

[@GrillTopExperience]

The lid hinge is the coolest feature on the Kettle Joe. You can raise it up for a rotisserie or their "slow roller." Spider Grills has a rotisserie listed as an accessory, but I'm not sure how that would work at this point.

[@richardf9137]

Great review!

[@herrprepper2070]

I have one of the old Weber Genesis 1000 grills that I bought 30 years ago. Solid… American made… cast iron… heavy aluminum and porcelain… built to last. I use it regularly and have only had to replace some minor parts over that time. They just don’t make ‘em like that anymore.

[@GrillTopExperience]

I don't think I'll ever get rid of my E-330. It was the last one fully made in the USA.

[@ceez33167]

that grill looks awesome.

[@GrillTopExperience]

My neighbor asked if it was designed by a NASA engineer.

[@jimcrookston2776]

I commend them on a really nice cooker. But I'll take porcelain enamel over seasoning!

[@RYN988]

great review!

[@JoshandBabe]

Fantastic Review... I want one

[@gacj2010]

Thats a beauty

[@FritzFrank]

Nice review 👍👏🍻

[@krazmokramer]

Very good review! I'm still happy with my 30 y.o. Weber 22" kettle with the propane starter for the lump charcoal. It is the original stainless steel carted model, and aside from the cooking soot, it is in like-new condition. The porcelain coating still shines! You have intrigued me with that Spider fan thingy. That video is next up. THANK YOU! UPDATE: Amazon reviews for the Spider Venom made me think twice. 3 month warranty??? Ashes blown all over the food??? No thanks. I'll keep my Weber stock (except for its cast iron cooking crate with easy fill hinges). "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" is the good advice I live by.

[@GrillTopExperience]

The Spider Venom has 4.5 stars on Amazon and most people are happy with theirs. The 3-month warranty isn't ideal, but they replaced every controller that was built before a certain point even if they were well out of warranty. You can certainly make good food without it, but sometimes it is nice to set it and forget it.

[@DWrex-km5je]

I've been watching this since day 1 and I absolutely love it, but I have a 26" Weber with a Slow n Sear and a Venom. I can't downgrade to a 22". If they make a 26, I'll pay double. I'de be lying if I said I wasn't bummed about missing out on the first wave.

[@DWrex-km5je]

I get it, They will probably make a XL version in a few years but I'm just saying other companies like NVIDIA and Toyota debut the top of the line first, and its creates a buzz of exclusivity and positions their products firmly in the Premium category.

[@DWrex-km5je]

I'll buy a Rotisserie attachment. A Santa Maria attachment, Pizza attachment. If Jeremiah can figure out how to make a Sous Vide attachment, I would buy that too.

[@DWrex-km5je]

But I ain't buying it for for a 22"

[@ChrisRobison]

I have a Joe and Weber. Joe doesn’t need a fan controller. It’s completely set and forget for long cooks and because of the deflector plates or the slow roller you can use the entire 24” cook surface for smoking. The problem I have with this kettle is that the cook space for smoking is tiny. Doesn’t look like you’d be able to even fit a brisket from Costco on there. Yeah, Joes are stupid expensive and a pain to move. Totally agree on that.

[@GrillTopExperience]

I'm waiting for the "lower cooking surface kit" to come out. That deflector plate would mean you don't lose grate space to keep the food on the indirect side. With that, you could fit two briskets on it.

[@ChrisRobison]

@@GrillTopExperience I’ll be interested to see if that actually helps. The Joe has a much greater distance between the fire and grate and even with the slow roller or deflectors, it overcooks the bottom of the food. Smokin Dad BBQ has devised a double indirect method for the Joe which gets it pretty dang close to an offset, but the problem will still always be with the fire being directly under the food. So I imagine it will be the same with this grill as well.

[@illiniwood]

I've been looking for an endgame lifetime grill for me. I may have finally found it. I've been looking at the U.S.A. made Golden's cast iron kamado, but it's price tag is staggering. The only downside to this grill is that it's most likely made overseas. I'm a huge "made in U.S.A." fan, so I'm kinda up in the air on this one....for now. I'll have to look at it as if I'm buying a Milwaukee power tool and swallow my pride on this purchase.

[@ii1825]

Take a hard look at Primo Grills. US made and very well regarded. I've owned the Oval XL for almost 20vrs and would not have it any other way.

[@GrillTopExperience]

Can confirm. The first batch of Huntsmans are coming by sea. It's getting harder and harder to find US made products in any category.

[@FlowTieGuy]

Get over it all. They sold our souls to China decades ago

[@abrahamo8934]

The weber does last forever

[@whopua]

I have a Weber Smokey Mountain 18in and I need a fan controller for that. What's out there?

[@jrey7171]

Hey nice t shirt, do you have them for sale 😊

[@ebrente]

Hmm. As a Kettle user I’m intrigued. I don’t want electric components though. I assume they have a basic analog grill?

[@GrillTopExperience]

Great question. They've talked about having an option to purchase the Huntsman without the Spider Venom at a reduced cost. That may happen after they get the first run of grills out to people.

[@thewolfofgod3908]

Sold my Weber Kamado waiting for this.

[@user-ho1yn6ms7y]

What didn’t you like about the Summit Kamado? Curious because I’m on the fence about getting one. Thanks!

[@fv1291]

Too complicated. The 30 year old Weber grill is all you need.

[@terichewbaccazulu5908]

looks great! too bad i bought a new grill last year

[@GrillTopExperience]

I know a guy from the local BBQ group that buys and sells grills all the time just to try it. I'm thinking he must have a very supportive wife.

[@GlenAndFriendsCooking]

Who knew? A heavy duty grill that you only have to buy once -

[@GrillTopExperience]

Thanks, Glen. I wish there were more out there like that. A lot of the grills out there are lucky to make it 5 years with heavy use.

[@texusyup6207]

Disagree that only alternatives are ceramic Kamados. Akorn Auto Kamado is the true value winner in my book. Can be found for $300 and got mine on a crazy sale for $225. If anyone is looking for evidence of bias, for me it is the lack of mention of this metal alternative. They use dual layers similar to a metal thermos for their heat retention. Not perfect, but 1/3 the price.

[@GrillTopExperience]

I mentioned the Weber Summit Kamado. I don't think many would look at the Akorn and the Huntsman and think they are directly comparable.

[@texusyup6207]

@@GrillTopExperience. Metal, kamado, automatic and remote temperature control, under $1k. Yeah right, not comparable at all. LOL. But I guess there are some differences like the Auto Kamado shelves coming included but Spider charges an extra $150 for theirs, and the Huntsman lacking much headroom, so no tall cooks or room for warming rack.

[@mrunabout]

Can you confirm that the ability to set the Venom to 700 is due to the probe? When I asked about the difference between the kettle and Huntsman units, I was told there was no difference.

[@GrillTopExperience]

I'm hoping that will be a future firmware update. The probe that comes with the Huntsman can handle higher temperatures, but plugging it in the my other Venom doesn't change the max temp. Their website still says 550 on the stand alone venom.

[@EyeOfRah]

Where the smoke stack is shouldn't that actually be the side you have your meat on? Opposite the fire?

[@GrillTopExperience]

It took longer than I expected for someone to call me out on this. I didn't think about it during the cook and noticed what I did during the edit.

[@EyeOfRah]

@@GrillTopExperience well if I saw that video when you posted it I would have said it then, lol. Sorry it took me so long to view your video. I do enjoy all your content, you put out a lot of great information. Thank you

[@kerplunk38880]

New game. Everyone take a drink each time this guy says absolutely or absolute.

[@petergriffinson1907]

Very limited cooking space for the price.

[@stevieg2755]

I'm not getting anything,well maybe a free grill for shilling

[@GrillTopExperience]

Free is relative and I always share my relationship with the vendor so people can make their own decision. "I'm not getting anything," was to be clear that I'm not getting a commission if you buy it. If you look at the time to test, script, shoot, and edit the video, I could have worked at my day job, bought it, and had some free time.

[@correctionalofficer4lockdo763]

Too small for now

[@gleichg]

First tell me you are getting paid, without telling me you're getting paid.... When he talks about adding fuel , and mentions removing the grate. I've seen this very man rave about hinged grates on both the Sn'S and Weber grills. FFS! Way too expensive for what you get. Sorry its cool, but its for rich people who don't know wtf they're doing.

[@GrillTopExperience]

I made it pretty clear that Spider Grills didn't give me any money for this video or any video I've done featuring their products. I'm just explaining the benefits of the features. SNS has the best grates in that list.

[@gleichg]

@@GrillTopExperience they gave you something man. Because I've seen your videos. Don't pretend like you know there aren't hinged grates. You came across as disingenuous and it showed. I am not being mean. I am basing this on things I've seen and heard you say on other videos. I have over 30 years in marketing and a degree in Communication. I know what I say, heard, and I stick by my review. Use it as constructive criticism. You Sir, have to much experience and knowledge to be like that. Basically what I am saying is you fawning over the way you had to add charcoal even though you had to come up with a way to do it i.e. the shovel. When you know damn well hinged grates are easier.

[@robbsps5games149]

Nope