Exploring WSM Options

Hey All,

I'm new to smoking. This past summer I began watching some programs on it and began dabbling with smoking using my charcoal grill. For Christmas I have decided I want a WSM as my gift. I originally asked for the 18.5" , however my girlfriend ordered me the 14.5" . I kind of feel bad, and before I have her return it I really would like an idea of how much you can actually smoke at time? Generally well do sausages and chickens. I'd like to get into turkey legs and maybe even whole turkeys and ribs. We usually cook for 3-5 people. 2 adults, 1 teenager, and two small kids. We'll occasionally cook for 2 or 3 more adults that aren't HUGE eaters.

Would a 14 get the job done, or would I better off with the 18? I'm not opposed to either size. I just don't really want to be stuck with something too big that I never use to capacity, but I also don't want to get stuck with something too small to cook for a group of people.

I was over the moon when the small cooker was put back on the market. I immediately bought one full price and do not regret it one bit. I have cooked a small turkey on the 14.5". Here's one posted by a fellow BBQer Michael C http://tvwbb.com/showthread.php?68424-Turkey-on-the-WSM-14-5-quot-smoker-Guava-smoked but you can also just do a breast. http://tvwbb.com/showthread.php?58213-Rainy-day-Turkey-cook

Other than that the 14.5" will cook two racks of ribs in a rib rack on the top grates http://tvwbb.com/showthread.php?48990-Snow-Ribs

...and though I've not done them on the 14.5, Turkey legs shouldn't be a problem.

I am looking for a 14.5 on Craigslist because my 22 is so big when it is just my wife and I or a smaller group. You could definitely do 2 pork butts on a 14.5 (one on each rack), plenty of chicken, really everything you can do on a 18 or 22 can be done on a 14.5. Only difference is the quantity. Sounds like that 14.5 will do you just fine and will burn a lot less fuel. Many people on the forum are using only the 14 and post some really great cooks. You can always get an 18 if you need one but worry about that in the future.