Steve Petrone
TVWBB Diamond Member
It is easy. It is predictable. It is portable. It is versatile. It does not require anything else to work well. Except a thermometer.
So for about 2 decades I enjoyed an 18.5 WSM. I sold it to downsize. I moved to the 14.5. It works-OK. I must admit, I miss setting the vents of my old WSM at 25% and going to bed...no alarm required. The 14.5 won't run as long as I like to sleep. Seems like 5 or 6 hours of run time for the 14.5 is typical for me. So I'm moving back. Back to the 18.5. I want a full night of rest. Also, when I want to cook 2 butts and a full brisket, I can.
So for me, the 18.5 does all the above and the 14.5 does, well, less. For some, the 14.5 works fine. I found, after wanting the small WSM to be my go to, I'm moving to back.
So for about 2 decades I enjoyed an 18.5 WSM. I sold it to downsize. I moved to the 14.5. It works-OK. I must admit, I miss setting the vents of my old WSM at 25% and going to bed...no alarm required. The 14.5 won't run as long as I like to sleep. Seems like 5 or 6 hours of run time for the 14.5 is typical for me. So I'm moving back. Back to the 18.5. I want a full night of rest. Also, when I want to cook 2 butts and a full brisket, I can.
So for me, the 18.5 does all the above and the 14.5 does, well, less. For some, the 14.5 works fine. I found, after wanting the small WSM to be my go to, I'm moving to back.