22.5: what's with the shallow water pan?


 
Chris in Louisiana

Chris in Louisiana

TVWBB All-Star
I've had an 18.5 for several years. The water pan is deep, so that it will almost touch a full load of charcoal.

My neighbor just got a 22.5. I noticed that the water pan on the 22.5 is much more shallow than on the 18.5.

Is there a functional reason for the shallow pan? It seems like the bigger smoker with bigger fire would need more, not less, water pan.

Thanks
 
The WSM's made before 09 had a shallow pan also. Yours uses the charcoal bowl from a Smokey Joe, mine uses the lid. The 22.5" uses the lid from a Smokey Joe Platinum or Jumbo Joe.

Tim
 
The 18.5" water bowl is too deep in my opinion. It hinders a full ring w/ wood chunks on top for my all-night cooks. So much so that I ordered a replacement Brinkmann charcoal pan to use in it's place. Personally, I don't see a functional purpose of having the deeper pan almost touch the charcoal.
 
>>>Personally, I don't see a functional purpose of having the deeper pan almost touch the charcoal.<<<

I fully agree. Especially with me - I just foil the pan and use NO water.

FWIW
Keep on smokin',
Dale53:wsm:

 
Interesting I'm starting to go the other direction, I never used to use water. My brisket for superbowl had a very dry texture on the outside, even after foiling. I realize now I probably waited too long to foil (4-5 hrs) but I like a good smoke on my brisket. So the following week I made another brisket and used water and I had much better results. Does anybody know where to find extra wide foil? The standard 18in. is not wide enough to cover the entire water pan with a single sheet.
 
Wow, Chad. That's some expensive tinfoil, and then I'll have to store it. I'm sure it's nice not to have to fold and fold and fold and fold the foil, though.

As for using water though, my 22.2" wsm pan is the perfect size if you ask me. Even on a long butt cook, I haven't had to add water more than once. I sure wish my 18.5" pan wasn't so deep. Brinkman pan here, too.
 
You can overlap two sheets of foil and make a seam (fold it over twice for a good seal. Then, using 18" wide you will have a width over 30 inches...

Just a thought...

Keep on smokin',
Dale53:wsm:
 
timothy said:
The 22.5" uses the lid from a Smokey Joe Platinum or Jumbo Joe.

Tim
Click to expand...

Great tip! I need a shallow pan for my Cajun Bandit conversion, pan that comes with it is even deeper than WSM, and I don't want to pay the $70 or so a new pan costs. Better get to looking on CL for one of these.
 
Robert McGee said:
You can overlap two sheets of foil and make a seam (fold it over twice for a good seal. Then, using 18" wide you will have a width over 30 inches...

Just a thought...

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

I do the same and just buy the Kirkland 18" x 500 rolls for about $24.00. It would be nice to find some 24" like Chad uses at a cheaper cost though.
 
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