Please explain

[Guest]

Years ago, I had an "El Cheapo" Brinkmann bullet-type smoker and was not impressed at all. I think that had kind of set my mind to thinking that all bullet-type smokers were pretty much the same. Obviously, WSM's are the exception (wish I had known that back then).

What exactly are the characteristics and differences that make the WSM so much better?

Better materials?
Tighter fitting door, lid, and pans?
Different design?
Better vent location/functionality, tightness?

Maybe all of these are the reasons why WSM's are so much better. Any other reasons?

Thanks.

 

[Guest]

It's pretty much a case of "you get what you pay for." The WSM is superior to the ECB in design, materials, and workmanship. For one example, the ECB has a painted surface which starts to deteriorate immediately, whereas the WSM's porcelain coating will hold up for years and years. It is possible to modify an ECB heavily enough to nearly replicate the performance of a WSM. But the WSM works beautifully right out of the box. If you cook a bad batch of meat with it, it's your fault, not the WSM's.

Steve

 

[Jim Minion]

Quality of materials and design, that said design is the reason that they can be made to cook as they do.
The system is closed is as much as the the base is closed with the three vents. the three vents controls the air intake there for the pit temp. ECB's are wide open and fire size controls pit temp and putting the coals in a bowl doesn't make for good clean burns.
Jim

 

[Guest]

Thanks everybody, That makes good sense to me. I just checked the tracking number with UPS and my 2 WSM's are scheduled for delivery Wednesday 12th. 2 more days!! TrueValue said 4-8 days. But my order is only going to take 3 days. Although, they didn't even ship them until today, so that is only 2 days. I must be closer to where TrueValue's warehouse is (wherever that is).