Just joined: New 18.5" WSM owner


 
Randall S

Randall S

TVWBB Fan
Well, got my 18.5" WSM :wsm: the last week of June. So far have smoked pork ribs and then a combination of brisket, beef ribs and pork ribs this 4th of July weekend (that was fun, lol). Everyone loved them and it was so much easier than using my charcoal grill and offsetting. :cool:

Got an Ivation dual wireless thermometer (before reading what others were using) but am happy with it. Also, verified accuracy before using :p

In process of doing mods: Got my wheels on, gaskets installed and tomorrow will put on the lid hinge. :o

So far, I have used water in pan, but I think going forward I will just wrap and try dry. Is it better to use something as a heat sink (sand, clay, other) or is wrapping enough? :confused: I was also thinking of having a drip pan in the bowl to make clean up even easier. Will try to read other threads regarding this later.

Anyway, have loved what I've read on this forum thus far!!!
 
Welcome to the forum Randall. You will fit in really well here. We would love to see pics of your cooks and your mods. Sounds like you are doing some of the same mods I have done on my WSM22. I am going to start looking for a WSM18 soon. The 22 is a monster and I do love it but at 67 it is a little heavy to lift the center and lid to clean and fuel. Don't forget, most here are more than willing to help if you have any questions and with the wealth of knowledge on this site, someone will be sure to have an answer. Congrats on that great cooker. Seems like we are getting a lot more people from SoCal.
 
Thanks Bob! :) I will try to remember to get some pics out after mod completion.

Also: just checked my Weber dome thermometer (had forgotten that since I wasn't planning on using it) and it hit right at 212*/213* in boiling water. I'll have to test it again after a few more cooks and see if it is still accurate. Maybe I got a lucky one!!!
 
I swear I found the link to tvwbb.com in the documentation that came with either my Performer or my WSM. Maybe not , but you'll find everything you need to know right here. Possibly I'm a beginner, but after more than ten years, i still use water in my water pan, and it works out just fine.
 
Hi Randall. Welcome to the forum! It's a great groups of people that are super helpful and also a lot of fun.

I only used water on my first 4 or 5 cooks. I stopped after the top grate slid off the bracket and two pork butts fell and toppled water into the fire.

For months after that disaster I just wrapped the pan in foil, and left it empty. No water, no problem. Later on I found a large clay saucer at Lowe's and it fits perfectly in place of the water pan. This works well for me because it opens up room to use lot of charcoal for those longer cooks.

But the water/no water debate is just that... a fun debate. It's really what you feel comfortable with. And that's one of my favorite aspects of the WSM. There are so many different methods and cooking styles to try!
 
Bob B. - You are just down the 91 from me. I'm in the Orangecrest neighborhood 5 min. from General Old golf course. (Which of course means that if I ever have major issues :rolleyes: )

Mark B. - Do you wrap the clay saucer? Did you locate it in the garden section?
 
Randall S said:
Mark B. - Do you wrap the clay saucer? Did you locate it in the garden section?
Click to expand...

Hi Randall. Yes, I wrap the saucer with two layers of foil. Most of the time, only the top layer gets dirty and I replace it before each cook. Sometimes juices and fat leak through and I have to replace both layers.

I did find the saucer in the garden center. Keeps temps pretty steady without the hassle of water.

The saucer is listed at only 15.75 inches, but the lip fits perfectly on the lower grill brackets. Again, it's sitting on the lower grill brackets, not the water pan brackets. This leads to the only negative. I can't use the lower grill grate when I use the saucer. But I almost never use the bottom one, so it's not a big deal. On the rare occasion I do need it, I just the foiled water pan with no water.

If I needed the lower grate all the time, I would get a couple 7 or 8 inch saucers and put them in the water pan.
 
Randall S said:
Bob B. - You are just down the 91 from me. I'm in the Orangecrest neighborhood 5 min. from General Old golf course. (Which of course means that if I ever have major issues :rolleyes: )
Click to expand...

Yup ! There's a large contingency of us members from the IE !
Which reminds me... I need to make a trek to Gless Ranch. Has been way too long.
 
Mark Barton said:
The saucer is listed at only 15.75 inches, but the lip fits perfectly on the lower grill brackets. Again, it's sitting on the lower grill brackets, not the water pan brackets.
Click to expand...

Okay, gotcha. I measured and 14.5"-15.5" would work perfect, however, if 15.75 is all they have.....:cool: Hey, maybe I'll get two and try to "work" one to size, lol. However, I doubt I would need two racks very often and like you said, still have the water pan!
 
Welcome Randall. I've also tested my Weber stock thermometer along with two others l had access to. They were all pretty much spot on with the boiling water method. I'm going to test again in a month or so but l'm not going to go crazy over it either. As long as the end product is good you'll have no worries.
 
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