22" WSM
- Thread starter Jeff R
- Start date
Yes, you have to take the top rack out in order to get to the bottom rack. You can go through the door, but it would be impossible to load, or remove a large piece of meat.. I guess you might be able to load, and remove ribs, or a pan of beans.
Never measured the temp difference between the top or bottom racks, sorry.
Fwiw. I was having trouble deciding between the 18.5 & 22.5. In the end I went with the 22.5 and don't regret it, and I hardly ever cook for more than me and my wife..
I did cook two butts for 10-15 people in the family a couple of weeks back,(the 18.5 will do this with ease as well) but what I really like is the size difference when I cook three racks of ribs. I can lay the ribs out flat on the top rack.. With the 18.5 you have to use a rib rack or roll them up..
JMO If money isn't a problem get the 22.5, you won't regret it..
There's really no wrong decision here as both sizes are great.. Good luck with whatever you decide.
Never measured the temp difference between the top or bottom racks, sorry.
Fwiw. I was having trouble deciding between the 18.5 & 22.5. In the end I went with the 22.5 and don't regret it, and I hardly ever cook for more than me and my wife..
I did cook two butts for 10-15 people in the family a couple of weeks back,(the 18.5 will do this with ease as well) but what I really like is the size difference when I cook three racks of ribs. I can lay the ribs out flat on the top rack.. With the 18.5 you have to use a rib rack or roll them up..
JMO If money isn't a problem get the 22.5, you won't regret it..
There's really no wrong decision here as both sizes are great.. Good luck with whatever you decide.
Jeff R
TVWBB Pro
I have read numerous people say they have never regretted the 22.5. Thanks for the additional confirmation. What I am most interested is being able to do full slabs without cutting. I have a very nice 4 shelf vertical propane that I can do 6 slabs in, but I have to cut them all in half. I am also wanting to use charcoal and wood for the "true art" and self enjoyment from it.
JSMcdowell
TVWBB All-Star
Jeff,
Both the 18 and the 22 experience slight differences in temps between the 2 grates. It can go either way on each cooker, depending on your method of cooking. Usually for people that run water in the pan, the top rack is warmer. Usually for people that run an empty pan or clay saucer, the bottom rack is warmer. Not always the case, but in my experience it’s been that way.
Now my 22” has 3 racks, and I also do not measure temps at the grates… so I am not much help there! But I do have both the 18 and 22. If I only had to have 1, it would be the 22. Having more room on each grate is much easier to work with.
Not sure what kind of ribs you are cooking, but here are some comparisons for how much meat I have put on the grates.
18”
2x STL Spares or BB laying flat per grate
4x STL spares or BB in a rib rack per grate
1 untrimmed spares laying flat per grate
2x large butts (9+ lbs) per grate, they are going to touch a bit
~13x chicken thighs
22”
3x STL Spares or BB laying flat per grate
5-6x STL spares or BB in a rib rack per grate
2 untrimmed spares laying flat per grate
4x large butts (9+ lbs) per grate, they are going to touch a bit
~40-50 ABTs per grate
Either way, you will be happy. Hope this helps.
Both the 18 and the 22 experience slight differences in temps between the 2 grates. It can go either way on each cooker, depending on your method of cooking. Usually for people that run water in the pan, the top rack is warmer. Usually for people that run an empty pan or clay saucer, the bottom rack is warmer. Not always the case, but in my experience it’s been that way.
Now my 22” has 3 racks, and I also do not measure temps at the grates… so I am not much help there! But I do have both the 18 and 22. If I only had to have 1, it would be the 22. Having more room on each grate is much easier to work with.
Not sure what kind of ribs you are cooking, but here are some comparisons for how much meat I have put on the grates.
18”
2x STL Spares or BB laying flat per grate
4x STL spares or BB in a rib rack per grate
1 untrimmed spares laying flat per grate
2x large butts (9+ lbs) per grate, they are going to touch a bit
~13x chicken thighs
22”
3x STL Spares or BB laying flat per grate
5-6x STL spares or BB in a rib rack per grate
2 untrimmed spares laying flat per grate
4x large butts (9+ lbs) per grate, they are going to touch a bit
~40-50 ABTs per grate
Either way, you will be happy. Hope this helps.