Greetings from Michigan!


 
M

Mike M Michigan

New member
Hey everyone. I have been a lurker on this board for the past few months as I have been learning more about Weber Smokey Mountain Cookers and which one I want.

I have been smoking pork butts, chickens, sausages and ribs on my Weber Kettle for the past 7 or 8 years. I have gotten that snake method down pretty well and I have many requests from the neighborhood guys to make ribs or pulled pork. I have decided that I want to upgrade to a WSM because I want to have more capacity to do multiple butts and venture into brisket. I also have gotten into sausage making the last couple years and really enjoy that, but I want to start doing cured and cold smoked sausage.

I have decided on an 18.5 WSM. The 14.5 is just too small and doesn't burn long enough without a refill. I really considered the 14.5 today because I saw a floor sample at Walmart for $75, but I know I need the 18.5.

So I am waiting a little it before I pick up an 18.5. My local Lowe's has a floor model, so I am seeing if they put that one on sale.

We put in a new patio this year and so I built a custom cart for my Kettle and then picked up a Spirit 210 to use for quick grilling. I have found we use that now 2 -3 times a week on weeknights because it is so easy. Planning on doing ribs this weekend on the kettle.

I look forward to learning from everyone and sharing any knowledge I have (not that much) and Happy Labor day all!!!

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Welcome to the forum Mike. I love your kettle enclosure. Check some other Walmart's for specials, I have seen a couple 18.5s for $199 around here. If not, monitor Craigslist. Lot's of friendly and knowledgeable folks on this forum. We love pictures but it looks like you already figured that out.
 
My Michigan Brother!
Buy the big WSM, you won't regret it, if you buy smaller you'll wish you had gone bigger, i'm glad it took that advice when i got mine. when you do butts, its runs all night without any attention , no need to add fuel or water. I've cook 6 at a time on mine.
7-9 pounders. just my opinion, not a command.WEBER ON!


That's a great looking table!!
 
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Randy Stevens of Michigan said:
My Michigan Brother!
Buy the big WSM, you won't regret it, if you buy smaller you'll wish you had gone bigger, i'm glad it took that advice when i got mine. when you do butts, its runs all night without any attention , no need to add fuel or water. I've cook 6 at a time on mine.
7-9 pounders. just my opinion, not a command.WEBER ON!
Click to expand...

Thanks! I am pretty sure that 21.5 is too big, but 18.5 seems perfect.
 
Jim Strickland said:
Welcome to the forum Mike! I like the cart for the kettle you made. Did it take long to build?
Click to expand...

It was quite a project. I would say three weeks of off and on work. I built it based on a plan with a a few modifications. There was a lot of cross cutting, but also a ton of ripping boards to correct widths. Once I had all the boards cut and sanded, the structure of the cart went together pretty quick. The concrete counter top was a fair amount of time in building and prepping the form and then pouring and curing.

I took a few more pictures and put them in this thread about the plan: http://tvwbb.com/showthread.php?51282-We-ve-got-WOOD-to-look-forward-to&p=744088#post744088
 
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Welcome to the forum Mike. From what I see in that pic, you are going to fit in here very well.
 
Welcome Mike, sure do like you cart you built that is nice. Looking forward to seeing so pic on your cooks. Having fun cooking, that's the name of the game.
 
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