I'm really liking this smoker


 
K

KenE

New member
I have been in the market for a smoker for the past couple weeks now. I am about ready to pull the trigger on a WSM. But what size do I get. I know this topic has beaten to death here and I have read most of the posts about "Which WSM should I get"

The 18.5 would work for me 98% of the time. I will basically be smoking for 2-4 people. I don't have a kids wedding or graduation party coming up any time soon because I have no kids. But if I did get the 18.5, I am limiting myself to that size. It looks like doing a couple racks of ribs or a packer is really tough to do on the 18.5 as where the 22.5 seems to have no issues with these meats. The up front C note for the 22.5 is not a big deal really. Its just it looks like the 18.5 burns longer and more consistent. I really look forward to over night brisket cooks and would love to not worry about my fuel while I am dreaming of the next day eats.

Well I have many more questions but will post those questions in the proper section. Cheers
 
Bigger is better...
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Thanks Dennis. Thats what I was thinking. I have added the 22.5 to my Amazon.com cart 5 different times. I need to just bite the bullet(pun intended)and do it.
 
Was in the same boat you were. I dove in after the 18.5 and couldn't be happier. I cook for 2-4 as well. I can lay 3 racks of BB's on the top grate flat, I can put a couple of 5lb chickens on the top grate. Matter of fact, I haven't even used the lower grate yet.

Also, I like the portability of the 18.5. I may participate in a competition at some point and the 18.5 will be easier to haul around. Plus, when I'm done smoking, it goes indoors. With the handles I attached, it's make is so easy to pickup and move.

Don't get me wrong, the 22.5 has a lot more real estate, but it is big. If you haven't seen one in person, check one out at a local ACE or similar hardware store that carries Weber products. It's a monster.

I will probably get a 22.5 WSM in the future, but the 18.5 made it attractive enough where I could see if I actually liked smoking. And yes, yes I do like smoking.

It also burns less fuel, but you can get a smaller ring for the 22.5 for shorter cooks.

I filled my ring full and put a full lit to smoke a 10lb pork butt for 14 hours and didn't need to refuel. Probably could have gone another hour or two too.

I did 2 chickens earlier this week. Used 30 unlit in the chamber, 3/4 lit on top, empty foiled pan and it held steady at around 240 for about 5 hours.
 
Oh Jack, I did not need you to reply to this post
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I was hoping everybody would say "I regret buying the 18.5 go with the 22.5". With your post, I am back on the fence. Have you done a brisket yet? Did you have to cut up your BB's to fit 3 racks on the single grate?
 
I was all set to go 22 after lurking here....then at the store saw how big it was...and went 18. Family of four and i am quite happy with it.
 
Hmmm. Maybe the 18.5 will work. I wish Amazon had that deal for 250.00 (18.5 WSM and cover) that I have seen on other sites.
 
I did do a brisket and it was a flat, but it was trimmed. A lot smaller than the typical briskets. I got it at Trader Joe's and it was a Kosher one, not sure if that makes a difference, but it was all trimmed up and looked like a nice cut. If you read other posts, people have tucked the tips under the handles on the grill grate and foiled them, as the heat comes up the sides. Don't forget the meat will shrink.

As far as the BB's go, lay one flat across from grate in the middle and the other ones go on either side of the middle one. Maybe I've just been getting smaller length BB's, but they've fit just fine and I have not had to roll them. You can also curve the outside ones slightly, so it kind of looks like (|), but the outside ones still are somewhat flat if you know what I mean.

Don't forget, there is also a lower grate, again, which I haven't had to use yet.

I also thought, well these things sell like hotcakes, so if I take care of it and decide later I want a 22.5, I can either sell the 18.5 and use the funds toward the purchase of the 22.5, or just buy a 22.5. Chances are at this point, I'll just buy a 22.5 and will have both an 18.5 and 22.5. The 18.5 for those small short smokes, and the 22.5 for those large long smokes...
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Originally posted by KenE:
Hmmm. Maybe the 18.5 will work. I wish Amazon had that deal for 250.00 (18.5 WSM and cover) that I have seen on other sites.
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Both WSM's come with a nice cover Ken. You do not need to buy a cover.
 
Ken get the 22! Better to have more room than not!

ALSO! Act fast! If you have an amazon visa card you get 20% off all patio and garden this month on amazon! A lot of members here have taken advatage of the deal! If you don't have a card, it's even a better deal! Go into your shopping cart and you'll probably have an offer right on top. Some members (including me) had an offer of $50 off for signing up for the card. Check out this post.Some members posted their deals. This is for the visa card not the amazon store card.

As I said though, go with bigger. More room, less fighting and if you decided to host a nice Q this summer, you can invite a lot and not worry about it!
 
OK Ken, I'll say it. I got the 18.5 and wish I had the 22.5. But that's a lie. Anyway, whichever you decide - buy it through the link on this site so Chris gets a penny to help keep the site up.
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Ken I Know what you are going through. I had the 18.5 in the cart a few times and didn't pull the trigger but I decided to go throught with the 22.5 because I figure I've got the size if I need it. Ordered it 5 days ago and can't wait for it to srive.----I will have no regrets at all
 
18.5: six chickens or four butts... & less fuel.
Like Jack said up-thread: See a 22 in person before deciding.
 
Unfortunately, This will be ordered at Amazon. I only have a Wal-mart in town and I don't think they carry the WSM. Lowes and HD is 30 miles away, but I don't think they carry them either. Only order.
 
Ken,I have an 18" WSM. Every year for Smoke Day,I regularly feed 20+ people with it! And,I've cooked ribs for 9 people. So the bigger one isn't neccessary to feed a BUNCH of people.
But buy what your heart,space and wallet dictate. Just buy it through the link to help keep this forum rolling!
 
Ken..why make a choice at all....I was in your same boat about a week ago, and I just ended up buying BOTH!!
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You can find many many many 18.5's on craigslist for as little as $150..and then pick yourself up a new 22.5 from Amazon..and you'll have everything youll ever need.

I am very happy I got both.

Dan
 
Hi Ken-I don't know if you've pulled the trigger yet or not but I was in the same boats as you and ended up going with the 22. It does use a bit more charcoal but truthfully I would have regretted the decision already had I gotten the 18. We ended up having 30 people over this weekend (impromptu)and I made brisket, chicken and ribs. What ever you decide, you'll love it.
 
Thanks guys. I have not made the purchase yet.I have been looking for a good deal on the 22.5. Well tonight I noticed that amazon has dropped the price almost 20 bucks (it was 355 last week and now its 336 and change). I may pull the trigger in the AM.
 
Add my vote for the 18. I can do about 25 lb of pulled pork and that's more than enough for me and the missus.
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I've only ever smoked brisket on my mini-WSM (effectively a 14) and it's perfect for a 7 lb flat brisket cut in half. In fact I get more use out of my mini than my 18.

I can imagine situations where the 18 would not be big enough for me, but I haven't run into any yet. I certainly don't want to pay extra on initial cost + fuel every time I fire it up just in case I need more some day.

Edit: I've also done a 26 lb turkey in my 18 by standing it on end and guying it with cotton string.
 
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