Recent content by James Jacobson


 
  1. J

    Question for those that went from 18" up to 22" or 22" down to 18"

    I have had the 22 for several years, and even though our household is down to 3 people, when I smoke, other family members/friends hear about it and want some BBQ. I get 18 lbs of pork butt at Sam's for $35, and can EASILY cook the two huge butts on the top grill (could fit 3, but Sam's sells in...
  2. J

    First Brisket Help - Picture attached.

    To the OP: You paid $150 for a 17 lb packer? That would make it $8.83/lb. I can get choice brisket packers for $2.99/lb at Sam's or COSTCO. Did you get a prime brisket?
  3. J

    How to buy wood chunks??? (Rookie here)

    I have never had a bad smoke using Weber Hickory and Apple chunks in my WSM.
  4. J

    ATC Recommendations?

    Hello! I have been off the site for a couple of years, but now back. I have been smoking with the original Stoker WIFI for 2+ years and love it. I start brisket or pork butt at 6pm or so and it keeps the smoker at 225 all night...I barely have to check it. At 7 or 8am I take the meat off the...
  5. J

    Weatherproofing ATC

    I have the Stoker, which has a separate control unit and fan. The control unit is pretty easy...I have a plastic storage box with lid (about 18" by 12" x 6") that I cut out holes at each end. Power goes in one end, probe/fan wires go out the other end. Put on the lid, throw my cover from the WSM...
  6. J

    AUBER CONTROLLER FOR WSM

    J Hoke I would go with the bigger fan. I have an Auber with my 22 but got the smaller fan. Sometimes it seems the temps swing a bit because the smaller fan can't change temp fast enough. It does seem to eventually figure it out and keep things stable, but I highly doubt you could do a high-heat...
  7. J

    Perplexed over correct size WSM

    I went for the 22 a year ago, and while I haven't ever used the full capacity, I am very satisfied. Some friends held a backyard cookout competition, and I was able to fit my 22 into my Mazda 3 (including coolers of meat!) and consequently had plenty of room for what I needed to smoke. While I...
  8. J

    Factory thermometer problem. . .

    Most WSM owners consider the factory thermo as a hood ornament. It is usually not very accurate (you can remove it and test it in boiling water) and Weber will replace it if you go to the trouble of contacting them. If you are concerned about temperature accuracy, you will probably want to...
  9. J

    AUBER CONTROLLER FOR WSM

    Clay saucer can get hotter than water, but you don't need it with the Auber. Let the ATC run the show.
  10. J

    Another Win For Team Stoker!

    Congratulations Vincent! It is especially impressive that you are winning using the WSM's. I looked into competitive BBQ here in central Iowa, and it appears most of the teams use much more sophisticated equipment. Most are using FEC-100 (?) pellet smokers that are incredibly consistent when it...
  11. J

    AUBER CONTROLLER FOR WSM

    The heat sink (water or clay saucer) helps temps not change very much. That's beneficial if you are controlling the temps via the vents yourself. On the other hand,you WANT the temps to change on a dime if the ATC decides it wants the temp to go up or down. So, a heat sink is counter productive...
  12. J

    AUBER CONTROLLER FOR WSM

    Jerry, I still haven't seen where you have tried the Auber without water in the pan. The water is there to hold the temps steady without the Auber. It makes it harder for the Auber to go above 225 (water boils at 212) and makes it harder for the Auber to control the temps. I recommend, if you...
  13. J

    AUBER CONTROLLER FOR WSM

    I have a WSM 22.5 with the Auber (recently upgraded to Stoker). I used the Auber at least 15 times for smokes, and it held temps perfectly. I foiled the water pan, filled the charcoal ring, pulled about 20 coals and started them in the charcoal chimney. Put the lit coals back in the middle...
  14. J

    AUBER CONTROLLER FOR WSM

    Ditch the water with an ATC. Water makes it harder for the Auber to do its job, and prevents temps from getting up to where you want them. If you are not using on/off mode, the Auber adapts to your smoker, the way the charcoal is burning (different depending on wind, outdoor temps, even the...
  15. J

    DigiQ DX2 and Rain

    I have the Stoker, but I have the same challenge with rain. I bought a medium-sized plastic storage box...shallow, usually for storing clothes. It has a tight-fitting lid. I cut a couple of slits on the side for my probes, and on the other side for the power cord. With the lid on the box, this...

 

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