Kettle with PitmasterIQ vs WSM

[Jeff Holmes]

We are trying not to spend a fortune on each other for Christmas this year. Would I be better off with a WSM or just buy an IQ for my 22.5? I'm really enjoying 12hr or so pork butt smokes on my kettle (I love my kettle) but I don't have a lot of time to babysit it. I enjoyed doing it through the night but had to get up a lot to tweak it every now and again- wasn't a good idea when I had to go in to work the next day.

So, which would be closer to set and forget: WSM or my trusty 22.5 with an IQ?

I rarely see used WSM on craigslist, but I'm patient. I'm sure I will eventually have one because of capacity. Additionally, there are two new 18.5 WSM on CL for good prices ($200 asking price) but my wife couldn't put a CL deal together, so I'm sure she'd just buy new....that kills me haha! The IQ would be much easier for her to buy, hide and "surprise" me.

 

[Robert McGee]

I have a couple of kettles and three WSM's (including my mini-joe). There is no doubt what I'd do - I'd add the WSM to your tool kit. Tell your wife you DON'T want a surprise, you want a CL WSM and "help" her get it for you. That'll give you the best of both worlds (a WSM AND a good price). Incidentally, WSM's don't seem to hit CL very often in my neck of the woods so if you DO have an opportunity to get one for a good price, I would JUMP on it.

But, that's just me...

Keep on smokin',
Dale53

 

[Gary S]

Jeff, I would be inclined to go with the WSM. The kettles are great but for your 12 hour smokes the WSM is better designed for that. You can always consider an ATC in the future.

 

[Dwain Pannell]

I have both a kettle an WSM on the deck. However, i do not use a ATC. I wouldn't have it any other way.

 

[Rich Dahl]

I use to use my performer for smoking and like you said a lot of hands on to keep the temps right. When I built my mini joe I discovered how easy it was to set and forget it. I found a 18.5 on CL about two blocks from my house at a great price and like new...Mine!
The 18.5 is perfect for us along with the mini and well worth the money for it's ease of use.
Having a kettle and a WSM will give you all kinds of different ways to grill and smoke.