18.5 WSM ordered and now some questions....


 
Mike P.

Mike P.

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Hello Friends, I'm relying heavily on the mission of this forum: (A "friendly forum" for those just starting out with the Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker Smoker. No question is too basic, so don't hesitate to ask!)

It should be here in 5-8 business days. Kudo's to this site. I ordered it from here at top of the home page at the best price I was able to find with free shipping.

My previous water smoking experience was on a "Gourmet" version of an ECB. You know? They make good targets for sighting in a Deer rifle. Not able to maintain temps.

What I've learned here so far:

1. The 1st few cooks will run hot until a smoke seal is formed.
2. No seasoning required on 1st cook. Ready to cook right out of the box after assembly.
3. After a few cooks, being able to maintain a low and slow (overnight) should be no problem.

Questions:

1. I'll want to use remote temp probes for internal meat temp and internal chamber temp on top grill with alarm. Which device is best suited for this?
2. Should the sides and/or top be cleaned from time to time or just let the seal quality build while keeping the food grates clean?

I can't wait to try this rig and would appreciate any and all input regarding what I "think" I already know and to my questions.
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This is a Great Site!
 
Regarding #2..... Different folks do different amounts of cleaning. Personally, I like fairly clean grates, so I really work those after a cook. As for the inside lid and chamber, I will from time to time (say every 3rd or 4th cook) run a wadded up piece of aluminum foil around it, to knock off the flaky stuff. If you don't, it will fall on your food. I do the same thing with the interior walls.
 
I'm with Matt on cleaning. I also oil the grates lightly after cleaning to prevent rust.

I use a Maverick ET-73 for remote temperature measurement that I'm happy with. They have a newer model, the ET-732, that is supposed to be better.

I hope you enjoy the results from your WSM as much as I do!
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Thanks for the Replies Guy's. That's great advice about the cleaning and oiling. Also, I'll start looking into the Maverick options.

Thanks Again!
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For cleaning the grates, I burn off the gunk on my gas grill and then wire brush them to remove the burnt bits. I store the grates in the basement to prevent any rust. As for the inside of the smoker, if I notice loose flaky stuff, I'll brush it off before the cook.

Enjoy!
 
I just cleaned my WSM after months of sitting with no use. Don't let it get that bad. I wire brushed the grates, pan, lid and body then did a high heat burn using lump, 400*+

I don't use any type of remote temp control and only use a deep fryer thermo run through a cork which fits in one of the vent holes in the top lid. I can figure done time by time and temp and if I'm not sure I back it up with a cheap thermo pen. I have become pretty confident in my WSM and feel the use of thermal enhancement a waste of money. I like the bare bones aspect of it all. Lets face it, thats why we do what we do, it was born out of the neccesity of wanting to cook outdoors. To get closer to the primal man in all of us...or most of us?
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Hello Mike, After each use I scrub my grates clean, check for flake on the insides and use the foil method for removal, I usually cook with no water so I foil line my water pan and if the outside is dirty I will wipe down with a dish cloth with a little Sunlight and give a light spray with the garden hose. (after all is cold)
 
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Hank B:
I use a Maverick ET-73 for remote temperature measurement that I'm happy with. They have a newer model, the ET-732, that is supposed to be better. <snip> </div></BLOCKQUOTE> It does have a great range but has a couple of things I would like to see changed:

1. It seems as though Maverick is using a non-standard connector on the end of their probes for the 732; as far as I can tell they are longer than the standard 2.5mm connector. It looks to me like it is to provide additional length for a moisture resistant seal where the probe enters the ET-732 transmitter body. This is a good thing but it makes it difficult when one is trying to do something special (trying to make an ATC by tapping the ET-732 probe before it goes to the transmitter for example).

2. AFAICT there is no decrease button for the temp settings. To set the alarm temps lower than the current setting one must advance the temp setting by holding the advance button until it rolls over and keeps going.

Other than that: rock solid. good features.
 
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Brad Baker:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Hank B:
I use a Maverick ET-73 for remote temperature measurement that I'm happy with. They have a newer model, the ET-732, that is supposed to be better. <snip> </div></BLOCKQUOTE> It does have a great range but has a couple of things I would like to see changed:

1. It seems as though Maverick is using a non-standard connector on the end of their probes for the 732; as far as I can tell they are longer than the standard 2.5mm connector. It looks to me like it is to provide additional length for a moisture resistant seal where the probe enters the ET-732 transmitter body. This is a good thing but it makes it difficult when one is trying to do something special (trying to make an ATC by tapping the ET-732 probe before it goes to the transmitter for example).

2. AFAICT there is no decrease button for the temp settings. To set the alarm temps lower than the current setting one must advance the temp setting by holding the advance button until it rolls over and keeps going.

Other than that: rock solid. good features. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Brad, My ET-732 arrived just today. I noticed the same things you have described. In addition, the brittle plastic housing on both units tells me not to accidentally drop them on anything beside carpet. Also the belt and stand clips seem very weak. I did test the probes and found them to be within +/- 1* F of the calibration equipment I use in my work.

Maverick may want to consider a rubber/shock case for these units like you can purchase for an iPhone ect. It works Great on the bench and I can't wait to try it in real smoker conditions!

Thanks for the reply.
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