22.5 with 14.5 charcoal ring - test

[Jeff Padell]

I decided to run a test on my 22.5, I don't have an 18.5 charcoal ring but I do have a 14.5 so I decided to put it in the 22 and see what it could do, also I wanted to test the Ace Hardware brand charcoal ($4.95 for 16.9 pounds) the briquettes look similar to KBB.
I have a wicked cold today and am smoking tomorrow so decided to just run a "dry" test no food.

I lit 2/3 of the small weber chimney and poured it into the center of a full 14.5 ring of charcoal (the lit coals came out of there so I knew it would fit. Also looking at it I could have put another 20 or 30 briquettes on the top

I am going to bed now but I have gotten 4 hours right on 275 degrees on a 50 degree day with 25-30 mile an hour winds. The 14 can heat the 22.

I don't know how often I would do that if ever but I just wanted to experiment.

 

[Dave Russell]

It's a different story with a lot of meat in there, though. The 22.5" WSM is a lot of cooker. Just compare the distances from the charcoal ring to the bottom grate.