Stepping up


 

What should I upgrade to from a 14.5"?

  • 18.5" WSM

    Votes: 13 54.2%

  • 22.5" WSM

    Votes: 10 41.7%

  • OKJ Bronco

    Votes: 1 4.2%

  • Hunsaker

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Offset (Likely an Old Country Pecos)

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Total voters
    24
Stick with the WSM and you won't regret it. Since you already have a 14", I would skip the 18" and go to the 22" I love my 22". I also like using offset cookers but to get a good quality offset costs over $1,000 Offset cookers also take up a bigger footprint and are harder to move around.
 
How about a second 14 WSM?

Cheaper than an 18 and 22 and you need extra space use both at the same time. You will probably use less fuel.
 
JWorden said:
How about a second 14 WSM?

Cheaper than an 18 and 22 and you need extra space use both at the same time. You will probably use less fuel.
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Ehh... If I'm going to be spending 219 on another smoker, I may as well expand my capacity for another 220. While I enjoy the 14 I would like to get away from some of its limitations. It's well suited for rib cook times, but not capacity. It's well suited for pork butt capacity, but not cook times. Last weekend I put a pack of boneless shoulder in that weighed 11lbs before trimming and had a hard time keeping the temp up on it past 7hrs, even with the extra capacity from the colander. I think it was just too much mass to heat and it's going to be the cook I do most often. 14 is going to be perfect for quick burgers, wings, etc, but when I'm looking to cook and store I'm going to need more capacity. I think I'm leaning more and more towards a 22.
 
Lee Ingraham said:
Ehh... If I'm going to be spending 219 on another smoker, I may as well expand my capacity for another 220. While I enjoy the 14 I would like to get away from some of its limitations. It's well suited for rib cook times, but not capacity. It's well suited for pork butt capacity, but not cook times. Last weekend I put a pack of boneless shoulder in that weighed 11lbs before trimming and had a hard time keeping the temp up on it past 7hrs, even with the extra capacity from the colander. I think it was just too much mass to heat and it's going to be the cook I do most often. 14 is going to be perfect for quick burgers, wings, etc, but when I'm looking to cook and store I'm going to need more capacity. I think I'm leaning more and more towards a 22.
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Lee,
I agree, if it is within your budget, I really think a 22 WSM in the way to go. As another 14 WSM user and as someone who when you originally posted I voted for the WSM 18, I have now been moved by the thinking about your needs, seeing and talking about the WSM's at the BBQ shop, and reading this thread. I will be keeping up on your decision and experience for future choices that I may have to make!
 
Probably the right move.

Lee Ingraham said:
Ehh... If I'm going to be spending 219 on another smoker, I may as well expand my capacity for another 220. While I enjoy the 14 I would like to get away from some of its limitations. It's well suited for rib cook times, but not capacity. It's well suited for pork butt capacity, but not cook times. Last weekend I put a pack of boneless shoulder in that weighed 11lbs before trimming and had a hard time keeping the temp up on it past 7hrs, even with the extra capacity from the colander. I think it was just too much mass to heat and it's going to be the cook I do most often. 14 is going to be perfect for quick burgers, wings, etc, but when I'm looking to cook and store I'm going to need more capacity. I think I'm leaning more and more towards a 22.
Click to expand...
 
Significant Upgrade from a very good Weber Mastertouch to a New Weber Performer Deluxe(WPD) last January and the WPD's Spacious Metal Table and Propane gas Ignitor makes a world of Difference at a cost of $550 here in Costa Rica.

My WPD is also equipped with the excellent SlowNSear Plus, DripNGridde Pan and Cajun Bandit Rotisserie all bought new which added an additional $500 to the mix due to Shipping Costs and Costa Rican Custom Duties.

Why I bought new?? Finding used Weber BBQ Stuff down here in Costa Rica is like discovering GOLD!
 
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Decided on the 22. I'm going to go ahead and order some stainless allen head hardware for it rather than the slotted screws and then start deciding if I want the hunsaker hinge or the unknown bbq hinge. Maybe a firedial or giant pizza pan... Casters... Probably a Hunsaker vortex basket too.
 
Richard Garcia said:
Significant Upgrade from a very good Weber Mastertouch to a New Weber Performer Deluxe(WPD) last January and the WPD's Spacious Metal Table and Propane gas Ignitor makes a world of Difference at a cost of $550 here in Costa Rica.

My WPD is also equipped with the excellent SlowNSear Plus, DripNGridde Pan and Cajun Bandit Rotisserie bought new which added an additional $500 to the mix due to Shipping Costs and Costa Rican Custom Duties.

Why I bought new?? Finding used Weber BBQ Stuff down here in Costa Rica is like discovering GOLD!
Click to expand...

That's a lot of cash, but the good thing is you bought the right grill and it'll last so long you can start deciding now which grandchild will get it when you die. Lol. No, but seriously.
 
Lee Ingraham said:
Decided on the 22. I'm going to go ahead and order some stainless allen head hardware for it rather than the slotted screws and then start deciding if I want the hunsaker hinge or the unknown bbq hinge. Maybe a firedial or giant pizza pan... Casters... Probably a Hunsaker vortex basket too.
Click to expand...

Good deal. I went from an 18" to a 22", the 22" is a lot more picky about air gaps. I really didn't need to do anything to my 18", but the 22" needed a cajun bandit door and quite a lot of cooking to get everything to seal up.
 
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