Saga of the New 22.5" WSM


 
J

JP Fields

New member
So today I went to pick up my new WSM. I decided to purchase the smoker from my local Ace Hardware store and keep the money local instead of giving it to HD or Lowes. After I paid for it the folks went over to the model on the floor to load it into my car. I wasn't to sure about this but they said that all of there grills they sell assembled, it was just the service they provided. I looked it over and it was in perfect shape so I figured no problem. After I left and started heading home it all of a sudden popped into my head that I did not remember seeing a water pan. I stopped, checked and sure enough no water pan. I also noticed that the heat deflector that is supposed to to be on the outside attached to the legs was sitting inside. So off I went back to the store. The folks at the store were really sorry and said they would just get a new one in the box and give that to me but they just did not have anyone to put it together for me. Not a problem, I was actually looking forward to the assembling. Got it home, put it together and then piled some coals in to give it a test run and season it a little. After a few hours, it was running great and holding 250° without a problem. It was then that I noticed that there was no therm port on the side. In other words they sold me last years model. The one on the floor I know had the port. So now I am a little bummed out. I was always planning on doing the notch mod so not having the port is not a big thing just hate getting last years model.

I am going back and talk with the folks at the store because I feel that I should receive some money off for last years model but I have a question for all of you. Other then the therm port, is there anything else different between last years model and the 2014 model?

Hopefully, pretty soon I will be posting some pics of my cooks. I know I am going to love this once I get everything sorted out.
 
If you were going to do the notch anyway, then I assume you wouldn't get much use out of the new side port. My first thought was the same as Tony's - see if they'll switch out the middle. However, if the port is not a big deal to you then negotiating a little cash back would be what I'd focus on. Also, if you're willing to do a notch, adding the port at a later time shouldn't be that hard if you really want one.

I'm not sure, but I don't recall any other difference in the new unit other than the port. Hopefully someone else can confirm.
 
I had the same issue when I bought my 18.5 earlier this year with getting one that didn't have the updated temp port. Honestly, now that I notched it I'm glad I don't have the port. You'll never miss it. Check out the WSM mods section for details.
 
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