Head's Red BBQ wrote:Gary - did you find that the larger size has any effect on stable temps? I know the 18 inch holds rock solid temps for a long time ..just wondering if a larger size would affect that

Bill,

I've only used the WSM 22" once for a relatively short cook in the rain, but it hit 275°* and held rock steady. I would guess, and only further cooks will tell the tale, the 22" will hold temp as well as the 18" for extended periods of time.

I should also note the dome thermometer temps matched the oven thermometer I used on the cooking grate. Only further experimentation will tell, but it appears the dome thermometer is calibrated to reflect cooking grate temp as opposed to top of dome.

Enjoy,
Gary

*New WSMs tend to run a shade hot the first few cooks

the therms were a sorely needed feature..glad to know they are accurate and checking the proper spot
it will be interesting to see how they perform on an overnight butt cook

Here's a review of the new WSMs, including test cook experiences.

Now I just need to decide whether or not to pick up a 22" WSM and sell my second (unused) 18" one or just be happy with the old ones until they fall apart and my heirs need to replace them.

yea ive read that..just would like to see someone elses experience with the cooker

jpreiser wrote:Here's a review of the new WSMs, including test cook experiences.

The Virtual Weber site linked in the first post of this thread has lots and lots of WSM 22" detail.

jpreiser wrote:Now I just need to decide whether or not to pick up a 22" WSM and sell my second (unused) 18" one or just be happy with the old ones until they fall apart and my heirs need to replace them.

Buy a 22" and keep the unused 18", you never know when a new in the box WSM is going to come in handy. I can send you a list of excuses, umm, I mean legitimate reasons, I've given my wife as to why I have a new in the box WSM in the basement.

I have to assume with the nice weekend you may put the ole 22" through a few smoke tests, eh?

maxpower wrote:I have to assume with the nice weekend you may put the ole 22" through a few smoke tests, eh?

Yes sir, you are correct.

WSM 22", 40-lb bag of lump charcoal



13.2-lb Brisket



Enjoy,
Gary

G Wiv wrote:13.2-lb Brisket

Professor,

I know that you have a lot of BBQ experience, but I don't think that brisket is done yet. Are you sure you've figured out this 22" smoker yet?

Best,
Michael

eatchicago wrote:I know that you have a lot of BBQ experience, but I don't think that brisket is done yet.

It has but started its long slow smokey journey to deliciousness.

But you knew that.

G Wiv wrote:

eatchicago wrote:I know that you have a lot of BBQ experience, but I don't think that brisket is done yet.

It has but started its long slow smokey journey to deliciousness.

But you knew that.

Yes, I was just trying to tweak you. I'm sure it'll be a knockout.

8-hours later brisket came off the smoker a smokey crusty fatty crisp meteorite.



Tasty, if I do say so myself.

on an 8 hour cook did you have to refill the charcoal chamber or water pan?
The brisket looks fabulous.
So far Brisket is the only thing I am not confident in smoking. The 2 I have tried both were too dry, the first due to heat being way too high and the second just on the smoker too long.

maxpower wrote:on an 8 hour cook did you have to refill the charcoal chamber or water pan?

yes id like to know as well

maxpower wrote:on an 8 hour cook did you have to refill the charcoal chamber or water pan?

- 13.2-lb choice full packer cut brisket on the WSM 22" with lump charcoal and hickory chunks.

- Topped off water at 2-hours.

- Reloaded charcoal and topped off water at 5-1/2 hours, took the brisket off at 8-hours and let rest loosely covered in foil for about 1/2-hour

- 8 hours at approximately 275, which seems the current sweet spot for the 22", if anything the brisket was a shade tender for my taste.

- Spot checked at 11-hours the WSM 22" was still 275.

- Second cook on the WSM 22", but I'd say Weber has a winner on their hands.

Notes:
- Waterpan was run/topped off to 3/4ths full, the WSM 22" uses a 3-gallon waterpan.

Gary - are you saying you had to refill charcoal after 5 hrs? Did you start with a full ring? If so thats a lot worse burn time than the old model

Head's Red BBQ wrote:Gary - are you saying you had to refill charcoal after 5 hrs? Did you start with a full ring? If so thats a lot worse burn time than the old model

Bill,

Started with a full ring of lump and refilled charcoal at 5-1/2 hours, cooker seems to set in at 275.

The WSM 22" access door is a little drafty which, in addition to new WSMs running hot, it settled in at 275. You could easily increase burn time by running at 225 and/or using briquettes, if you are of a mind.

Enjoy,
Gary

G Wiv wrote:

Head's Red BBQ wrote:Gary - are you saying you had to refill charcoal after 5 hrs? Did you start with a full ring? If so thats a lot worse burn time than the old model

Bill,

Started with a full ring of lump and refilled charcoal at 5-1/2 hours, cooker seems to set in at 275.

The WSM 22" access door is a little drafty which, in addition to new WSMs running hot, it settled in at 275. You could easily increase burn time by running at 225 and/or using briquettes, if you are of a mind.

Enjoy,
Gary

ok..just seemed weird that you had to refill at 5 hrs and then it ran another 11 after that ..please keep us posted on any long burns you do as I might sell off my smaller one and pick one of these up as a backup smoker to my Backwoods.
Thanks Gary

Head's Red BBQ wrote:ok..just seemed weird that you had to refill at 5 hrs and then it ran another 11 after that ..please keep us posted on any long burns you do as I might sell off my smaller one and pick one of these up as a backup smoker to my Backwoods.
Thanks Gary

Bill,

Seems I was not clear.

I refilled the charcoal ring at 5-1/2 hours.
Took the brisket off at 8-hours Total.
Checked the WSM 22 (just for the hell of it) at 11-hours Total and it was still 275.

Enjoy,
Gary

i think i just read it wrong..makes sense now

Jamie.. I may need to borrow your truck... I have given up on fitting an offset smoker on my porch so an increased cap WSM might fit the bill!

Stagger wrote:Jamie.. I may need to borrow your truck... I have given up on fitting an offset smoker on my porch so an increased cap WSM might fit the bill!

Sorry. Only smoker you will be transporting in my Jeep is my old one you will be buying when I buy the new 22"

BTW, you can pre-order the new models from Amazon:
22" is $399
18" is $299

Jamieson22 wrote:

Stagger wrote:Jamie.. I may need to borrow your truck... I have given up on fitting an offset smoker on my porch so an increased cap WSM might fit the bill!

Sorry. Only smoker you will be transporting in my Jeep is my old one you will be buying when I buy the new 22"

BTW, you can pre-order the new models from Amazon:
22" is $399
18" is $299

If by buying you mean getting it out of your way with no cash changing hands you got a sale!

Stagger wrote:

Jamieson22 wrote:

Stagger wrote:Jamie.. I may need to borrow your truck... I have given up on fitting an offset smoker on my porch so an increased cap WSM might fit the bill!

Sorry. Only smoker you will be transporting in my Jeep is my old one you will be buying when I buy the new 22"

BTW, you can pre-order the new models from Amazon:
22" is $399
18" is $299

If by buying you mean getting it out of your way with no cash changing hands you got a sale!

Please take your negotiations to the PM, please.

Regards,

Jamieson22 wrote:

Stagger wrote:Jamie.. I may need to borrow your truck... I have given up on fitting an offset smoker on my porch so an increased cap WSM might fit the bill!

Sorry. Only smoker you will be transporting in my Jeep is my old one you will be buying when I buy the new 22"

BTW, you can pre-order the new models from Amazon:
22" is $399
18" is $299

Does anyone know how Amazon's prices above compare to other sellers? (Amazon will ship for free.)

Besides the additional cost, is there any disadvantage to buying the 22" model over the 18" one?

Darren72 wrote:Besides the additional cost, is there any disadvantage to buying the 22" model over the 18" one?

Unless you have a need to cook large (and I mean really large) amounts of meat on a regular basis, there is probably no advantage for you to own a 22". If, on the other hand, you cook for large groups and may need to cook an amount of meat equal to 4 - 6 briskets at a time, then you'll find the 22" to be a welcome addition to your arsenal.

I don't know, as much as I love my regular WSM, I still wish it could hold more ribs laying flat, or a big brisket without folding it up into the grate handle.

Granted the 18" makes great BBQ all the same, but some more grate space to work with would be fantastic.

Especially true when wanting to do quick cook items (wings, links, etc) during a long cook. If I have 4 butts on I am often not left with much space in which to put these things.

stevez wrote:Unless you have a need to cook large (and I mean really large) amounts of meat on a regular basis, there is probably no advantage for you to own a 22". If, on the other hand, you cook for large groups and may need to cook an amount of meat equal to 4 - 6 briskets at a time, then you'll find the 22" to be a welcome addition to your arsenal.

Right, this is why I'm not sure which to get. The 18" will be fine for 90% of my cooks. It seems convenient to get the 22" so I'll be set for the other 10% of the time. But I'm wondering if there are disadvantages to using the 22" model when it isn't that full of food.

Darren72 wrote:Right, this is why I'm not sure which to get. The 18" will be fine for 90% of my cooks. It seems convenient to get the 22" so I'll be set for the other 10% of the time. But I'm wondering if there are disadvantages to using the 22" model when it isn't that full of food.

Other than needing more fuel, it seems to work pretty much the same as the 18". Keep in mind the new 18" models have most of the same feature upgrades as the 22" (built-in blast shield, thermometer, heavy duty legs and improved side door), so feature and functionally wise, they're pretty much identical.

those prices seem awfully high. i got my WSM maybe five years ago for about $150. has the price really doubled since then?