Jamieson22 wrote:So long way around to a simple question: Would YOU replace your WSM 18" with a 22.5"? I imagine the 22.5" would be a bit more difficult to move down some stairs when not in use. While I have no problem turning out large quantities of food on my existing WSM, it sure would be nice to pull off 2 packers and 6 slabs of ribs, etc.

Though only 4-inches difference the WSM 22.5 is substantially larger than the 18.5, deceptively so. Benefits of the 22.5 are typical WSM rock solid temperature control and capacity, four packer cut briskets, eight pork shoulders no problem on the 22.5. Negatives, slight though they may be, are shorter burn time with full lump load, increased fuel consumption and a tendency to run hot. The size difference makes the 22.5 generally more cumbersome, plus with 3-gallons of water (24-lbs) and 60-70 pounds of meat it gets pretty heavy. Also, as Steve mentioned, you can not foil the waterpan for easy clean up.

Bottom line, if you need the increased capacity the WSM 22.5 is perfect for you. If you simply want to switch for the sake of something new, stick with the 18.5.

WSM 22.5 (L), WSM 18.5 (R)



Enjoy,
Gary

jygach wrote:

stevez wrote:3. It is impossible to cover the water bowl of the 22.5" model with a single sheet of foil; making it susceptible to leakage and a bitch to clean up.

Steve,

You are brilliant!!! I never thought of buying a wider roll of foil and yes, layers of foil make it a bitch to clean.
I may start smoking again
Thanks.

Jyoti

Jyoti,

The wide rolls of Heavy Duty Reynold's Wrap are perfectly sized to foil the water pan in an 18" WSM with a single piece of foil.

fixin' to pick up a 18.5" WSM to add to the rest of my smoker aresenal(cant have too many imho), and I see Amazon is selling this model for $239 w/ free shipping.

$239 is indeed the lowest price Amazon has sold it for all summer.

http://camelcamelcamel.com/product/B001I8ZTJ0

Darren72 wrote:
http://camelcamelcamel.com/product/B001I8ZTJ0

thats a pretty cool website you provided a link for.

a new wsm for that price w/ free shipping will make a nice x-mas present.

ordering my WSM tomorrow off Amazon, looks like prices have gone up about $50 on each unit in the last month or so. Might get the big dog 22.5", or the smaller unit. Either way looking forward to using lump as my main fuel again(gas w/ lump, and wood in the tray are good, and one cant experiment with enought smokers to find out what they like, but there is just something missing imho.).

Only bad thing is I cant use it til X-mas, being a present and all.

barely got to the store before they closed @ 4:00 after a fun afternoon @ Toon's, but I got my WSM, and it is sitting safely in my garage waiting for x-mas eve. 18.5" 2009 model.

jimswside wrote:barely got to the store before they closed @ 4:00 after a fun afternoon @ Toon's, but I got my WSM, and it is sitting safely in my garage waiting for x-mas eve. 18.5" 2009 model.

Congratulations. Happy smoking! What's for Xmas dinner?

stevez wrote:
Congratulations. Happy smoking! What's for Xmas dinner?

thanks steve..

ribs of course....

I'm going to be at my MIL's for Thanksgiving this year and don't have enough room in the car to bring a smoker. I'm thinking of just picking up an ECB or something when I get there so I can smoke the turkey.

Does anyone have any experience using the cheapo smokers to do a 10-12 lb. turkey? Any suggestions on type to buy? I'm planning to spend up to $50, bring some thermometers, and expect to keep a close eye on the temps the whole time. But if this is just going to be an exercise in frustration I'll just use the oven

Hi,

Does your MIL have a Weber grill? Gary's book cover's techniques to get a smoker style results with it.

Regards,

I wish! She has no grill at all, and not a lot of cooking tools. Even if I use the oven I think I'm going to have to get an aluminum roasting pan.

an ECB will just be an exercise in frustrationn as you have to do a few mods on it to get to cook properly
personally i would spend the money on a regular weber kettle and cook it indirect ..coals on each side..drip pan in th emiddle directly under the bird (webers website has nice how-to's on a kettle)
a bird in that weight range will cook up nice
now a kettle might be a bit more than 50 bucks but you might be able to find the 18 inch kettle in that price range..but if you can go a few bucks spring for the larger 22 inch
its not like you will never use it again..ive seen pics of some of your outdoor cooking parties

assembled the WSM today(to make sure all the parts were there). I gotta say Weber really knows how to package their product to ship ssafely. Quickly assemebled in maybe 20 minutes. Its now back in the garage, covered and ready for x-mas.

Shiney...pretty!

Head's Red BBQ wrote:an ECB will just be an exercise in frustrationn as you have to do a few mods on it to get to cook properly
personally i would spend the money on a regular weber kettle and cook it indirect ...

its not like you will never use it again..ive seen pics of some of your outdoor cooking parties

Thanks - I was afraid of that. I have a few Weber kettles at home and would love an excuse to get another

Unfortunately whatever I buy there will stay there, and I might use it once a year (if even that). My wife thinks my MIL would be open to the idea of digging a pit in her back yard, maybe some firebricks and tinfoil may be the cheapest option to make a smoker

razbry wrote:Shiney...pretty!

yes it is... but not for long I bet, I dont see slowing down my "smoking at least once a weekend" pace once x-mas gets heres.

Jim,

Glad you made it to pick up your new rig! Can't wait to see what you put out on your new toy! Those thighs look great in the other thread! You wanna come make some gumbo at Toons!! LOL
See ya Soon! Happy Thanksgiving!

Danny

jhawk1 wrote:Jim,

Glad you made it to pick up your new rig! Can't wait to see what you put out on your new toy! Those thighs look great in the other thread! You wanna come make some gumbo at Toons!! LOL
See ya Soon! Happy Thanksgiving!

Danny

thanks danny, you guys dont need any help, and your turkey gumbo with okra was my inspiration.

Attrill wrote:

Head's Red BBQ wrote:an ECB will just be an exercise in frustrationn as you have to do a few mods on it to get to cook properly
personally i would spend the money on a regular weber kettle and cook it indirect ...

its not like you will never use it again..ive seen pics of some of your outdoor cooking parties

Thanks - I was afraid of that. I have a few Weber kettles at home and would love an excuse to get another

Unfortunately whatever I buy there will stay there, and I might use it once a year (if even that). My wife thinks my MIL would be open to the idea of digging a pit in her back yard, maybe some firebricks and tinfoil may be the cheapest option to make a smoker

buy a new one and leave one of the older used ones at her place

Buy a new one...cook it at home and transport the food!

really liking the increased water pan size on the WSM 2009 model.

Holds 2 gallons of water vs the 1 gallon I believe previous models held on the 18.5" model.

Re: the bigger water pan, is your experience that the higher capacity creates lower smoking temperatures (if filled to the top) than with the older model?

I haven't noticed lower smoking temperatures, on average.

G Wiv wrote:

Jamieson22 wrote:
WSM 22.5 (L), WSM 18.5 (R)



Enjoy,
Gary

What is the point of the aluminum pan at the very bottom. Mine doesn't want to stay on my 18.5" model. I see in the picture above, you have it on on the 22.5 model but not on the 18.5 model. I'm thinking of just tossing it.

The bigger pan just means more time between having to open up the WSM to top it off imho. "if your lookin' you aint cookin'.

lougord99 wrote:What is the point of the aluminum pan at the very bottom. Mine doesn't want to stay on my 18.5" model. I see in the picture above, you have it on on the 22.5 model but not on the 18.5 model. I'm thinking of just tossing it.

As I understand the reason for the Heat Shield is the WSM 22.5 generates enough heat to discolor decks, patios, driveways etc. The WSM 18.5 was given a Heat Shield/heat deflector for uniformity of product.

An added benefit of the heat shield is it bounces back heat to the cooker, I would not remove it from your new model 18.5.

In my picture above the 18.5 WSM does not have a heat shield as it is an older model. I posted the two WSMs side by side to give an idea of comparative size, not as an example of two new WSM.

Enjoy,
Gary

Thanks. I didn't realize that was a heat shield.

I bought Gary's book last year and read it all winter . So now I am going to take the plunge this spring and buy a WSM 18.5. I will be checking the internet for prices, If anyone sees a deal Please post it.

As always thanks to everyone here for so much help.

ck the ace hardware, i think on grand .
russo's ? they seam to have great price's