14.5 - Too hot to set on table?


 
J

Jimmy D

New member
My wife just purchased a 14.5 WSM for me for my birthday and I can't wait to get it! I've been wondering though, does it get too hot to use on one of those polyethylene folding tables that you can pick up on the cheap from most hardware stores? I was initially thinking about getting one of those and sticking some 24" pavers on it for insulation between the table and the smoker, but I haven't a clue if that's a safe setup at this point. Any thoughts?

I did just come across this little gem in another post and could do that same thing I suppose without having to worry about the plastic warping:

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Camp-Table/20463044

Anyone have any recommendations? Greatly appreciate any advice!
 
First of all, welcome to the forum Jimmy. I don't own a 14.5 but they do come with a heat shield that is supposed to reflect most of the heat back towards the unit. What would the height of the table be and how tall would your smoker be once it is sitting on the table? Make sure that everything is stable enough not to blow over in a strong wind and keep safe.
 
James Lake said:
First of all, welcome to the forum Jimmy. I don't own a 14.5 but they do come with a heat shield that is supposed to reflect most of the heat back towards the unit. What would the height of the table be and how tall would your smoker be once it is sitting on the table? Make sure that everything is stable enough not to blow over in a strong wind and keep safe.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the welcome, James.

By my calculations, the total height of table + smoker would be 60" which sounds perfect - I'm really trying to avoid bending down so low if I don't have to. My other concern would be whether or not the table could safely hold the paver and smoker full of charcoal and food. It'll be interesting to see how others have approached this issue.
 
I used my SJP on one of those folding tables you described. The table got VERY hot...my SJP doesn't have a heat shield like the 14.5" WSM but it sits fairly high so I thought it would be OK. IF I ever try it again I'll use some foil insulation under the grill...but that's a big IF ! :)
 
I bought this table from Home Depot:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Lifetime...justable-Height-Folding-Table-80160/202380415

It adjusts to three different heights. I then added a Walmart automobile oil drip pan which is nearly a perfect cover for the top:
http://www.walmart.com/ip/ATP-Extra-Large-Oil-Drip-Pan/16778234

This gives you a work table when you put either the 14.5" or the Mini-Joe on top that is stain free and it will protect the table. If you are still concerned, you could put a couple of 1x4's cut to length underneath for insulation. I doubt I'll put anything under mine as I think that the drip pan will be enough. You can spill most anything in the drip pan and the raised edges will catch it. You can place the lid (which will be rimmed with grease) on it and it'll wipe off. I am MOST happy with the combination. The drip pan covers the entire area of the table. It almost is like a custom fit.

Keep on smokin',
Dale53:wsm:
 
Robert McGee said:
I bought this table from Home Depot:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Lifetime...justable-Height-Folding-Table-80160/202380415

It adjusts to three different heights. I then added a Walmart automobile oil drip pan which is nearly a perfect cover for the top:
http://www.walmart.com/ip/ATP-Extra-Large-Oil-Drip-Pan/16778234

This gives you a work table when you put either the 14.5" or the Mini-Joe on top that is stain free and it will protect the table. If you are still concerned, you could put a couple of 1x4's cut to length underneath for insulation. I doubt I'll put anything under mine as I think that the drip pan will be enough. You can spill most anything in the drip pan and the raised edges will catch it. You can place the lid (which will be rimmed with grease) on it and it'll wipe off. I am MOST happy with the combination. The drip pan covers the entire area of the table. It almost is like a custom fit.

Keep on smokin',
Dale53:wsm:
Click to expand...

Nice looking setup you have there! Just to confirm, how hot does your drip pan get after the smoker's been chugging along? Can it still be touched? Does the table get excessively hot? If not, I might go out and grab these exact same items.
 
I don't think you will have any problems, especially if you use some pavers between the smoker and table. I use a 18.5" WSM on a big wheeled plastic plant tray so I can roll it around to where ever I want to and have never had any indication it was getting too warm. In fact just recently I did a all day pulled pork smoke on it and most of the snow and ice that was on the tray when I started was still there 12 hours later when I finished. So I don't think much heat is directed towards the bottom of the smoker, the heat shield does a good job of directing it upward. You probably won't even need the pavers.
 
Steve Porter said:
I don't think you will have any problems, especially if you use some pavers between the smoker and table. I use a 18.5" WSM on a big wheeled plastic plant tray so I can roll it around to where ever I want to and have never had any indication it was getting too warm. In fact just recently I did a all day pulled pork smoke on it and most of the snow and ice that was on the tray when I started was still there 12 hours later when I finished. So I don't think much heat is directed towards the bottom of the smoker, the heat shield does a good job of directing it upward. You probably won't even need the pavers.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply, Steve. I appreciate it. I think I'll give it a shot without the pavers and see what happens.
 
The heat shield in the 14.5 is extremely effective. I put casters on mine and used the old tamale pot lid from the mini build as an additional shield. After a 4 hour cook, that lid wasn't even warm.
 
Jimmy D;
I have only cooked on mine in cold weather, so that might be a bit misleading (I don't think so but I cannot guarantee it). I would suggest you get the set up. The table is very sturdy, plenty big enough and one of the three heights will certainly make you happy. Like I said, if it gets hotter than you prefer (I really don't think this will be a problem) then just put a bit of insulation between the drip pan and the table top (a piece of scrap plywood would work just fine, as an example). Me, I will continue with nothing between the pan and the table top until and if it becomes an issue - then will correct it.

FWIW
Keep on smokin',
Dale53:wsm:
 
Robert McGee said:
Jimmy D;
I have only cooked on mine in cold weather, so that might be a bit misleading (I don't think so but I cannot guarantee it). I would suggest you get the set up. The table is very sturdy, plenty big enough and one of the three heights will certainly make you happy. Like I said, if it gets hotter than you prefer (I really don't think this will be a problem) then just put a bit of insulation between the drip pan and the table top (a piece of scrap plywood would work just fine, as an example). Me, I will continue with nothing between the pan and the table top until and if it becomes an issue - then will correct it.

FWIW
Keep on smokin',
Dale53:wsm:
Click to expand...

Thanks Robert. I actually just returned from Walmart with the drip plan and will swing by Home Depot to get the table next weekend. Appreciate the advice!
 
I place my mini on a plastic folding table. I've never had a problem with it. Sometimes I'll place a foiled covered pizza pan under to catch any that makes it way out (ash, gunk, etc...).
 
Jimmy D;
I think you'll be very pleased with it. Take a picture of it. I will be snowed in for several days (the storm is supposed to hit tonight and it'll probably be Thursday, at least, before the snow and ice melts. Otherwise, I would take a picture of my table pan and smokers for the forum.

Keep on smokin',
Dale53:wsm:
 
Jimmy D;
Here is a picture of my set up (it's sitting in my Florida Room waiting for the snow to melt from the winter storm that just hit):



As you can see, the drip pan covers the entire surface of the table (I set it a bit off center so you could see it better).

Keep on smokin',
Dale53:wsm:
 
Jimmy D;
I have my 14.5" outside on the patio. It's sitting on the table (with the drip pan underneath) and after several hours of operation (I'm doing a small brisket) I can comfortably lay my hand on the drip pan underneath the WSM. It is just slightly warm. The outside temps are in the fifties and there is just a trace of wind (less than 5 mph). I won't be worrying about table temps...

Apparently, the heat shield is doing it's job, and doing it well.

Keep on smokin',
Dale53
 
Robert McGee said:
Jimmy D;
I have my 14.5" outside on the patio. It's sitting on the table (with the drip pan underneath) and after several hours of operation (I'm doing a small brisket) I can comfortably lay my hand on the drip pan underneath the WSM. It is just slightly warm. The outside temps are in the fifties and there is just a trace of wind (less than 5 mph). I won't be worrying about table temps...

Apparently, the heat shield is doing it's job, and doing it well.

Keep on smokin',
Dale53
Click to expand...

Good to know! I've purchased the drip pan and am hoping to get the table this weekend, so I'll likely be mirroring your setup. Just a few more odds and ends to pick up after that and then we'll be off to the races. Hope to put our first pork butt on next weekend. Cannot wait!

Thanks again for all your help and information!
 
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