22 vs 18.5, which to get?


 
I have the 18.5" and I made a mini because I hate using all the charcoal just to cook "a meal" (one chicken, or one slab of ribs, or one roast) my home-made mini lets me cook using at least 1/3 less charcoal. Now granted, the mini is not as good as the 18.5" / I have to keep an eye on the mini where I don't have to even check the 18.5"

I can't aford enough food to justify cooking on a 22" / there's room to spare in my 18.5" when cooking for the family or a few guests. I've cooked six chickens (on stands) in my 18.5" with room for 10 good sized potatos
 
I can't believe I am saying this, but with the extra grate I created for the 22, I can do 9 racks of ribs, flat. Will I EVER do 9 racks of ribs or can even afford 9 racks of ribs? I have been thinking of selling the 22 and buying an 18.5, I already have a 14.5 and a mini. BUT and here is the but, I want to do a 20 pound turkey at Thanksgiving, did a 12 last year and did it in a foil pan that wouldn't have fit on the 18.5. So I guess I will keep the 22.5 for two reasons, one the capacity and two it LOOKS REALLY IMPRESSIVE

that all said I do 90% of my cooks on the 14.5 now that I have it and use the mini for camping and lending to the kids.
 
I have both, and the 18.5" WSM is my go-to everyday smoker for a family of six. You gotta figure that's the longest tenured WSM and can do pretty much anything with a few mods. Later on add the big boy or the little guy. The latter is on my next list.:)

Tim
 
I downsized from a 22 to an 18. The 18 is much better for my use. Only once a year did I truly fill up my 22. I also built a WSM mini and to be honest, I'm using it more than my 18. It's so small and compact but fits quite a load of meat. I don't miss my 22 at all.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

 

Back
Top