I bought a WSM 14.5 earlier this week. I have been smoking using my Weber Grill with a Smokenator insert, but was looking for something that requires a little less attention.
I loaded the charcoal ring with coal, left room for a small can in middle, added 2 piece of wood (6oz in total) and lit 8 coals in a can on a chimney. After adding the 8 coals to the center of the charcoal ring, I left all vents open. It reached 200 Fahrenheit in 10 minutes. I then closed the bottom vent to about 1/4-1/3 open. It reached 230 at 15 minutes. After fully closing 2 bottom vents and leaving 1 open at 1/4 it then stabilized at 240 for the next 7.5 hours!! I barely touched it during that time.
The only reason I stopped, was because the sun was setting. I checked the amount of coal left and I estimate there was enough left for at least another 3 hours. I am very impressed. I can't wait to smoke a pork butt in there next week.
I loaded the charcoal ring with coal, left room for a small can in middle, added 2 piece of wood (6oz in total) and lit 8 coals in a can on a chimney. After adding the 8 coals to the center of the charcoal ring, I left all vents open. It reached 200 Fahrenheit in 10 minutes. I then closed the bottom vent to about 1/4-1/3 open. It reached 230 at 15 minutes. After fully closing 2 bottom vents and leaving 1 open at 1/4 it then stabilized at 240 for the next 7.5 hours!! I barely touched it during that time.
The only reason I stopped, was because the sun was setting. I checked the amount of coal left and I estimate there was enough left for at least another 3 hours. I am very impressed. I can't wait to smoke a pork butt in there next week.
