Smokey Mountain or Weber Grill Conversion with smokeanator?

[Kevin T. Schmidt]

I am interested in getting into BBQ/smoking, wondering which road to travel, the smokey mountain way or converting a regular weber into a smoker with the smokeanator? Is it worth spending the extra money on a dedicated smoker like the smokey mountain? Which method is easier for a beginner?

 

[Jim Lampe]

Kevin, you're in my YARD! Welcome to the forum!!

Get the WSM!
You're invited to swing by here any day and i'll give you some tips that I've learn from this site.

I'case you're not familiar with Raymond, it's just south of Franklin... I'm only 10 miles from you.

 

[V_Rocco]

I love my WSM, and I love my Performer. In all honesty, I could not live without either one of them. Having a dedicated smoker is an entirely different experience. You can get some good smoke done on a kettle, but the WSM takes it to a new level.

 

[Bob Correll]

Kevin, you're in my YARD! Welcome to the forum!!
Get the WSM!
You're invited to swing by here any day and i'll give you some tips that I've learn from this site.
I'case you're not familiar with Raymond, it's just south of Franklin... I'm only 10 miles from you.

Welcome Kevin!
Take Jim up on his offer, bet he will even grill up some brats and put an ice cold Miller High Life in your hand!

 

[M Lacy]

If the price isn't an issue for you I would recommend the WSM. I have a smokenator and 22" OTG and it's a lot of work. Also, I didn't have much luck with temperature control and consistently clean smoke. I've only used my WSM a couple times but so far I haven't had any trouble with good smoke, and it's much more user friendly.

 

[Bob H.]

Welcome Kevin! You can smoke on a kettle without a Smokenator, but a WSM offers much more control and repeatability.

 

[Kevin T. Schmidt]

Thanks everyone for your responses. I think I am sold on the WSM, I have heard that temp control is a little tricky on the 22 as compared to the 18. The youtube videos for the smokenator looks like you have to keep an eye on things a bit more. Any thoughts on this? Jim, I just might take you up on your offer this summer. Been searching Craigslist for WSM, seems like they go fast on there. Also, do you guys cook with water all the time?

 

[Rich Dahl]

I smoked for years on my kettle then I built a mini WSM and never looked back. So much easier then the kettle. But as others have said I wouldn't want to be with out either one.

 

[Jim Lampe]

I have heard that temp control is a little tricky on the 22 as compared to the 18.

I've owned both the 18"WSM and the 22"WSM. I haven't noticed any difference in temp control.

The youtube videos for the smokenator looks like you have to keep an eye on things a bit more. Any thoughts on this?

never have owned one but from what I understand, the snake method works better and it's free.

Jim, I just might take you up on your offer this summer.

I'm home nearly 7 days a week, let me know... you're more than welcome here.

Also, do you guys cook with water all the time?

never. Tried it two or 4 times, haven't gone back.

Kevin, if you're buying from Amazon, please use these links. TVWBB gets credit for every purchase made thru the site.

14" WSM → http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00FKE67V2/tvwb-20

18" WSM → http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B001I8ZTJ0/tvwb-20

22" WSM → http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B001I8ZTJA/tvwb-20

If you're buying locally, Ace Hardware on Oklahoma and Hwy 100 in West Allis stocks all three sizes.
And, from what I understand, Steins on Hwy 100 just north of Beloit Road in Greenfield also stocks all three sizes.

 

[Chris Allingham]

I have heard that temp control is a little tricky on the 22 as compared to the 18.

Welcome, Kevin!

Piggybacking on Jim's comment, I don't think temp control is an issue with the 22.5" WSM, per se. It does, however, consume a lot more fuel than the 18.5". A difference of four inches doesn't sound like much, but if you were to calculate what that means in terms of additional volume inside the cooker and additional surface area outside the cooker, it's a whole lot and requires more fuel.

My recommendation is the 18.5" for most people, unless you really need the extra-large capacity of the 22.5" or you insist in cooking spareribs flat on the grate.

Thanks in advance if you'll use any of our Amazon links for any purchases...they all help keep the lights on around here!

 

[Jim Lampe]

...the 22.5" WSM...does, however, consume a lot more fuel than the 18.5". A difference of four inches doesn't sound like much, but if you were to calculate what that means in terms of additional volume inside the cooker and additional surface area outside the cooker, it's a whole lot and requires more fuel.

I have the "luxury" of having a charcoal chamber from the 18"WSM that I use at times in the 22"WSM... and anyone can simply make a small chamber for their 22"WSM. It does help.

 

[Kevin T. Schmidt]

What would everyone reccommend as the 1st item to go on the WSM for a beginner, when I do purchase one I don't want to spend the whole day waiting for something to delicious to come off of it (you might sense that I do own a gas grill, I am used to immediate gratification from it). Baby back ribs, chicken?

 

[Jim Lampe]

5 hour spare ribs

 

[Matt H.]

Welcome Kevin! You can smoke on a kettle without a Smokenator, but a WSM offers much more control and repeatability.

exactly. if you already have a kettle start smoking on it using the snake method. I wouldn't buy a smokenator personally. the wsm is great though.

 

[Matt H.]

What would everyone reccommend as the 1st item to go on the WSM for a beginner, when I do purchase one I don't want to spend the whole day waiting for something to delicious to come off of it (you might sense that I do own a gas grill, I am used to immediate gratification from it). Baby back ribs, chicken?

chicken is the easiest.

 

[Craig Wallace]

I am interested in getting into BBQ/smoking, wondering which road to travel, the smokey mountain way or converting a regular weber into a smoker with the smokeanator? Is it worth spending the extra money on a dedicated smoker like the smokey mountain? Which method is easier for a beginner?

Kevin:

Like the others, I have both a WSM and Kettle and could not imagine being without one or the other. I've never tried grilling on a WSM but I have done some smoking on the Kettle without a stacker.

Recently I purchased a stacker from CB that works on my WSM and Kettle. I went ahead and got the heat deflector and charcoal ring so I could do a better smoke on the Kettle. I tired it out for the first time last week, doing some pork country ribs, and the results were much better than just cooking indirect on the Kettle. I'm very impressed with the stacker system and with the charcoal ring, the system holds a lot of briquettes for a fairly long cook.

I was able to keep my temp in the Kettle at 225 without deviation. I do use a temperature control, the DigiX DII, have it set up for both the WSM and the Kettle. I'm going to be doing a lot more smokes on the Kettle forward since it is just me and the Misses. That said, my larger cooks, spareribs, briskets and pork butts are still going to get cooked on the WSM.

CraigW

 

[Craig Wallace]

Kevin:
Thought I would post a few photos. This system is going work well for me. I don’t know about the Smokenator, but I do know this has plenty of room on the grill and holds a lot more briquettes.










I am very impressed: I will be using this system a lot going forward. It’s not intended to replace a WSM but it is an excellent alternative.

CraigW

 

[Jim Lampe]

decided to buy my own Cajun Bandit Stacker.
and I like it! A lot!

with the additional heat shield and charcoal chamber.

can not wait to use it.