My summer gift to myself - 18.5" upgrade from ECB!


 
Christopher H

Christopher H

TVWBB Fan
Hi everyone!

I recently made the jump from an ECB I learned on for 2 years to a 2014 18.5" WSM! I've very excited! I put it together yesterday and did a seasoning run. I plan to do one more seasoning run before I run any meat on it.

I included a pic of my old ECB and my new WSM. I plan to clean the ECB and either use it when needed (rarely), take it to my buddy's cottage as my "remote" smoker or give it to a friend so he can learn.

I'm thinking of doing some chicken thighs and some ribs this weekend after the second seasoning.

Out with the old
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In with the new!
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Congrats to you :D

BTW, you dont need to waste a second (let alone a first) load of fuel in an empty smoker. Just load up the meat and go for it.
 
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Congrats! I had the ECB for probably 10 years and got my 18.5" last year for Father's day. You're going to love the maintained stable temps and the long cook times. Post some pix of your first cook on your new toy
 
This reminds me of my journey. I also made the leap from ECB to WSM in a similar time frame. Your pics brought back some memories. Kinda like a before and after. Congrats on the new smoker. May you have many delicious cooks for years to come.
 
Len Dennis said:
Congrats to you :D

BTW, you dont need to waste a second (let alone a first) load of fuel in an empty smoker. Just load up the meat and go for it.
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Thanks! I only ran about 20 coals through it yesterday with a little lump mixed in but you think I'm good to go?
 
Unless you're planning on using it for competitions, skip the seasoning and start cooking.

Oh and congrats on your new WSM.
 
G Savrnoch said:
Unless you're planning on using it for competitions, skip the seasoning and start cooking.

Oh and congrats on your new WSM.
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I am not doing competitions now but I have thought about it in the future. I may enter an amateur rib and chicken comp in September, if not I may look more seriously next year.
 
I'm going to use mine for comps and I have been cooking on mine without seasoning...the first night I had it, I put some chicken in it and then the next day a Boston Butt...have at it...I've cooked in mine half a dozen times now and it holds temps pretty darn steady
 
Chuck Bench said:
I'm going to use mine for comps and I have been cooking on mine without seasoning...the first night I had it, I put some chicken in it and then the next day a Boston Butt...have at it...I've cooked in mine half a dozen times now and it holds temps pretty darn steady
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I just read I should season it so I did and I probably would have done it no matter what just to burn off anything I wouldn't want in meat. Sorta like how some people wash brand new clothes before they wear them because you never know who tried it on or whatnot.
 
I had an ECB too. I got my 18.5"wsm almost a year and a half ago, and never looked back. The wsm really is the best in it's class. Word of advice: don't trust the dome thermometer. Mine is usually 30-50° off. Enjoy!
 
S.Six said:
I had an ECB too. I got my 18.5"wsm almost a year and a half ago, and never looked back. The wsm really is the best in it's class. Word of advice: don't trust the dome thermometer. Mine is usually 30-50° off. Enjoy!
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Loveland nice! I lived in Longmont for a summer while interning! Loved CO! Do you find that your grate surface is hotter or cooler in temp?
 
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