26.75 kettle w/smokenator vs WSM 22?


 
Matt_C

Matt_C

New member
Hello all, I'm newly registered to the site but have been harvesting awesome info here for sometime. However I haven't been able to find anything specific to my question(sorry if this is discussed in another thread but I haven't found it). I currently have a 22 OTG and have been using a smokenator with it for some time now. This setup works great and I have had many successful cooks using this setup. My issue is the lack of room. While I have smoked as many as 8 racks of STL spares at one time(using 2 homemade ext. racks using extra charcoal grates and a hovergrill), it was quite cumbersome. So I'm curious if anyone here has any personal experience with the 26.75 using the larger smokenator vs buying a 22.5 WSM. I'm leaning towards the WSM but the 26.75 is tempting also. Thanks for any responses and advice and this is a GREAT site.
 
I bought a smokenator for my 22 OTS before getting the WSM. The smokenator is a handy device for someone not wanting a whole new cooker. It actually works quite well but does require some babysitting. It is definitely not set it and forget it but I have produced good BBQ from it. I rarely use the smokenator now that I have the WSM -- even when I cook one rack of ribs on the kettle.
 
Matt, have you considered the method whereby after applying the rub, one rolls the ribs up, skewers them to keep them from "unrolling", and sets them on end? That technique might resolve your space issue. In any event, the WSM does indeed require less attention than either grill, despite the use of a smokenator.

Regards,

Rooster
 
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Rooster, yes I have seen that technique used in pics here and that does look like a good space saver. Also, I plan on getting and ATC of some sort no matter which one I buy. The advantage of buying the 26.75 kettle is that I can use it as a grill or smoker. But I'm just wondering if the advantages of a stand alone smoker out weigh the advantages of a larger grill/smoker. I'm sure I'll love either one. Thanks for the replies.
 
Matt_C said:
Rooster, yes I have seen that technique used in pics here and that does look like a good space saver. Also, I plan on getting and ATC of some sort no matter which one I buy. The advantage of buying the 26.75 kettle is that I can use it as a grill or smoker. But I'm just wondering if the advantages of a stand alone smoker out weigh the advantages of a larger grill/smoker. I'm sure I'll love either one. Thanks for the replies.
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Since you have a cpl grills already, maybe a stand alone smoker is in your future. Most folks that have the 26" love it to be sure, but it seems to me your grill needs have already been met.
 
Since you already have a 22.5" OTG then, in my un-professional opinion ;), the 22.5-inch WSM all the way. It's a no-brainer.

Given your current cooking arsenal there would be few scenarios where you could name any advantages of having a 22.5 and 26 inch kettles vs having a 22.5" WSM and 22.5" OTG. One of few would be LOTS and LOTS of food to grill. But I would think in real world scenarios - such as grilling and smoking a few ribs at the same time - the advantages of a having a dedicated quality smoker on-hand, which requires no baby-sitting, would be advantagous in allowing you to devote more attention to the grill and less time on the low n slow stuff.

22.5" WSM all the way!
 
Matt_C said:
I plan on getting and ATC of some sort no matter which one I buy.
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Matt, I have a DigiQ-DX and I'm tickled with it - I use it exclusively with my 22.5 WSM, but the cheapskate in me only cooks when I smoke two or three butts as well as a brisket at one time - sealing and freezing everything - in order to save on charcoal. I'm thinking about buying either another adapter and (YIKES!) drilling an adapter hole into my 22.5 or 26.75 OTG (not something I've ever done or care to do, actually), or try buying a Pitmaster IQ110 (that STILL requires drilling.) Otherwise, I'm stuck with tending the temps on my OTGs for what seems an eternity when doing a single butt...As I (and others) have said previously, IMO, yer better off going with a WSM for smokes, regardless of whether or not you get an ATC device.

Regards,

Rooster
 
Yeah I have been dreaming about the 22.5 WSM and having a dedicated smoker. I tend to host alot of family events each year and yes, having the two kettles can accommodate the grilling required for those. However one of the kettles is pretty beat up(it has character). I've been checking craigslist and yes, patience will definitely be required as I haven't seen anything in a while. But thanks for all the replies. As far as ATC is concerned I believe I'm gonna go with the Party Q. Again thanks for all the insight!
 
Dwain Pannell said:
I bought a smokenator for my 22 OTS before getting the WSM. The smokenator is a handy device for someone not wanting a whole new cooker. It actually works quite well but does require some babysitting. It is definitely not set it and forget it but I have produced good BBQ from it. I rarely use the smokenator now that I have the WSM -- even when I cook one rack of ribs on the kettle.
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That's me exactly. The Smokenator was a great stepping stone to the WSM. I don't use it now. In your case if you are hosting larger groups or family events, I would go for the 22WSM. The 26 kettle has the ablility to be very versatile but you can also grill on the WSM if you choose to thereby giving you two grilling surfaces or just smoke with the 22 using the two racks.
 
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