Hello All,
I use a Weber Performer for all of my cooking, but currently have a Smokey Mountain 22.5" order in process (might have it by the end of the week). Like many I was torn between the 18.5" and 22.5" models, but was able to get a 22.5" at a marginal premium*.
I've been looking for a real smoker for at least a year or so now. To this point my only experience was with a small unit integrated beneath a gas grill (it surprisingly made decent food despite having faults... such as nearly setting my house on fire). One of the concerns I read (though not universally shared) about the 22.5" model is that it's more difficult to regulate heat than the smaller versions. To help with this (or just to improve the product period?) I plan on buying the "gasket and hinge kit" from BBQgaskets.com (which I also understand will require a new latch: SC-62315 available on Amazon.com).
I've got 3 basic questions/points that I hope some can help me with:
(1) Some internet chatter suggests that the latest WSM models benefit only slightly form the gasket kits. Does any consensus exist on this (I do realize I'm posting on an internet forum)? Would I be wasting my money? It gets cold in Pittsburgh, so would the gaskets be worth it for winter smoking if nothing else? Charcoal is cheap, but do the gaskets alleviate the need to add it as often? Any other benefits/drawbacks that I'm overlooking?
(2) I would assume that I'd want to apply the gaskets immediately upon receiving/assembling my WSM (presumably cleaning gasket ares first to promote adhesion)? Any recommendations on a cleaning product? (I'd probably just use alcohol unless told otherwise).
(3) What are some of the easiest recipes to start my WSM experimentation with? If I have 30 people over in 2 weeks what are some reasonably economical, fool-resistant, and low(er) supervision recipes for such an occasion?
* ---> I know relatively little about this hobby (and a moderate about about cooking in general), but maybe this will be useful information for others reading and/or looking for a deal:
Like several name brand products, most Weber stuff just seems to sell for "normal street price" all the time (unless you find a display that a store wants rid of as I did with the Performer - picked up at a mere $120!). For anyone considering a 22.5" WSM model, keep an eye on Rakuten.com (formerly buy.com). They sell the WSM 22.5" at the typical $399 (no tax collected in most states) and rarely go 2 weeks without running some kind of "Super Point" (rebate program) promotion. This is basically a store credit that you'll earn with your order and ranges from 5%-20% (I got 11% or $44 back today).
You'll have to wait a couple weeks for the rebate to post, but it's automatic (I believe you get an e-mail reminder too) and the buy.com prices are as good as anyone's (making the rebate nearly as good as cash in my opinion). If you account for "$400 + tax" vs this buying option it's about a $70 savings (assuming you buy my "nearly good as cash argument") and makes the 22.5" premium about $30.
For anyone that uses upromise rewards, rakuten.com gives 5% back (though it doesn't always stack with rebates). Ordinarily I wouldn't bother with this much trouble (setting up accounts and jumping through hoops) for a somewhat modest savings, but I am also into photography and already had the above discount/rebate situation to save huge amounts of money on some multi-thousand dollar Canon lenses.
PS: I know some forums have strict rules about posting links of non-sponsors, or anything that could be perceived as "promoting" a merchant. If I have violated such a rule I apologize. I'm just trying to demonstrate an easy way to save some cash for anyone that reads this and might be inclined to help me out with the questions above.
I use a Weber Performer for all of my cooking, but currently have a Smokey Mountain 22.5" order in process (might have it by the end of the week). Like many I was torn between the 18.5" and 22.5" models, but was able to get a 22.5" at a marginal premium*.
I've been looking for a real smoker for at least a year or so now. To this point my only experience was with a small unit integrated beneath a gas grill (it surprisingly made decent food despite having faults... such as nearly setting my house on fire). One of the concerns I read (though not universally shared) about the 22.5" model is that it's more difficult to regulate heat than the smaller versions. To help with this (or just to improve the product period?) I plan on buying the "gasket and hinge kit" from BBQgaskets.com (which I also understand will require a new latch: SC-62315 available on Amazon.com).
I've got 3 basic questions/points that I hope some can help me with:
(1) Some internet chatter suggests that the latest WSM models benefit only slightly form the gasket kits. Does any consensus exist on this (I do realize I'm posting on an internet forum)? Would I be wasting my money? It gets cold in Pittsburgh, so would the gaskets be worth it for winter smoking if nothing else? Charcoal is cheap, but do the gaskets alleviate the need to add it as often? Any other benefits/drawbacks that I'm overlooking?
(2) I would assume that I'd want to apply the gaskets immediately upon receiving/assembling my WSM (presumably cleaning gasket ares first to promote adhesion)? Any recommendations on a cleaning product? (I'd probably just use alcohol unless told otherwise).
(3) What are some of the easiest recipes to start my WSM experimentation with? If I have 30 people over in 2 weeks what are some reasonably economical, fool-resistant, and low(er) supervision recipes for such an occasion?
* ---> I know relatively little about this hobby (and a moderate about about cooking in general), but maybe this will be useful information for others reading and/or looking for a deal:
Like several name brand products, most Weber stuff just seems to sell for "normal street price" all the time (unless you find a display that a store wants rid of as I did with the Performer - picked up at a mere $120!). For anyone considering a 22.5" WSM model, keep an eye on Rakuten.com (formerly buy.com). They sell the WSM 22.5" at the typical $399 (no tax collected in most states) and rarely go 2 weeks without running some kind of "Super Point" (rebate program) promotion. This is basically a store credit that you'll earn with your order and ranges from 5%-20% (I got 11% or $44 back today).
You'll have to wait a couple weeks for the rebate to post, but it's automatic (I believe you get an e-mail reminder too) and the buy.com prices are as good as anyone's (making the rebate nearly as good as cash in my opinion). If you account for "$400 + tax" vs this buying option it's about a $70 savings (assuming you buy my "nearly good as cash argument") and makes the 22.5" premium about $30.
For anyone that uses upromise rewards, rakuten.com gives 5% back (though it doesn't always stack with rebates). Ordinarily I wouldn't bother with this much trouble (setting up accounts and jumping through hoops) for a somewhat modest savings, but I am also into photography and already had the above discount/rebate situation to save huge amounts of money on some multi-thousand dollar Canon lenses.
PS: I know some forums have strict rules about posting links of non-sponsors, or anything that could be perceived as "promoting" a merchant. If I have violated such a rule I apologize. I'm just trying to demonstrate an easy way to save some cash for anyone that reads this and might be inclined to help me out with the questions above.
