Hi, I am currently looking at buying an 14" WSM with the intention to use it while going camping but also the occasional use at home. I think the 14" will be big enough for us as there are only the two of us (of course we will cook for others every so often, but as far as I'm concerned one or two whole chickens will feed plenty!). Also the fact that we want to use it for camping trips limit our options to just the 14" version.
First of all I've never smoked anything before and my previous BBQ experience is also fairly limited but after doing some reading the WSM looks fairly straight forward to use and will be looking forward to being able to cook a medium size piece of brisket through the day to enjoy in the evening while out camping. But I think our main staple would be using it for a good bit of steak and slow cooking it and then searing it (i like my steak rare/med-rare) and the results of seen on the web look mouth watering!
I was first thinking of getting a 22" weber kettle and a "slow 'n sear" but this would just be too un practical to fit in the car (small car and we have plenty of other equipment already) and also I don't think we would really need all the grill space (of course, extra is always a good thing... just not when camping
) - I got in touch with the people who make the slow 'n sear to see if they make or would make a small version for a smoky joe but they currently do not.
Then I thought about buying a weber Go-Anywhere grill, which is the same model my dad has which was his dads before him. It's red with lovely wooden handles, it is still in great condition despite being used multiple times each year! I could then fold a piece of aluminium into a V shape and weld the sides together to create a divider and place it in the go anywhere grill leaving just enough room to be able to place a GrillGrate on the hot side to act as a heat diffuser as well as giving me a place to sear a steak when needed. I think I could fit two steaks or a small piece of brisket on the 'cold' side. But I don't think I'd have enough fuel to be able to cook for very long and would require constant attention for a medium/long cook.
Originally the WSM was not an option as they are too expensive in the UK - They sell for £330 ($450) new and the materials for making a mini WSM from a joe is also hard to come by (mainly a suitable pot that is cheap enough).
However I have just found someone with a 14" WSM for sale that is brand new for £150 ($210) which is similar to the price they sell in the USA (which is more reasonable) - The only reason I have not bought it yet is due to the above option (the go anywhere grill with a home made divider and a GrillGrate) along with the difficulty of not being able to sear the steaks when needed.
As far as searing goes I've thought of a couple of options (if I went for the WSM) and would like to know which one would be best...
- Taking the lid and middle section off after cooking is done and placing the grill over the hot ash (maybe add more pre lit ones before)
- Using a charcoal chimney and placing a grate over the top.
- Buying a really small BBQ just for searing (this will probably not be an option depending on how much room we have in the car)
- Searing on our gas camping stove using a stainless steel griddle (like this... click here) I think I'd prefer this option, but only if it gives a good result
or are there other options I have not thought about that you could suggest? Also is using a WSM to cook a steak overkill?!
Currently I'm trying to decide between the WSM or the go anywhere (maybe a smoky joe)
Any input would be great, thank you.
Chris
First of all I've never smoked anything before and my previous BBQ experience is also fairly limited but after doing some reading the WSM looks fairly straight forward to use and will be looking forward to being able to cook a medium size piece of brisket through the day to enjoy in the evening while out camping. But I think our main staple would be using it for a good bit of steak and slow cooking it and then searing it (i like my steak rare/med-rare) and the results of seen on the web look mouth watering!
I was first thinking of getting a 22" weber kettle and a "slow 'n sear" but this would just be too un practical to fit in the car (small car and we have plenty of other equipment already) and also I don't think we would really need all the grill space (of course, extra is always a good thing... just not when camping
) - I got in touch with the people who make the slow 'n sear to see if they make or would make a small version for a smoky joe but they currently do not.Then I thought about buying a weber Go-Anywhere grill, which is the same model my dad has which was his dads before him. It's red with lovely wooden handles, it is still in great condition despite being used multiple times each year! I could then fold a piece of aluminium into a V shape and weld the sides together to create a divider and place it in the go anywhere grill leaving just enough room to be able to place a GrillGrate on the hot side to act as a heat diffuser as well as giving me a place to sear a steak when needed. I think I could fit two steaks or a small piece of brisket on the 'cold' side. But I don't think I'd have enough fuel to be able to cook for very long and would require constant attention for a medium/long cook.
Originally the WSM was not an option as they are too expensive in the UK - They sell for £330 ($450) new and the materials for making a mini WSM from a joe is also hard to come by (mainly a suitable pot that is cheap enough).
However I have just found someone with a 14" WSM for sale that is brand new for £150 ($210) which is similar to the price they sell in the USA (which is more reasonable) - The only reason I have not bought it yet is due to the above option (the go anywhere grill with a home made divider and a GrillGrate) along with the difficulty of not being able to sear the steaks when needed.
As far as searing goes I've thought of a couple of options (if I went for the WSM) and would like to know which one would be best...
- Taking the lid and middle section off after cooking is done and placing the grill over the hot ash (maybe add more pre lit ones before)
- Using a charcoal chimney and placing a grate over the top.
- Buying a really small BBQ just for searing (this will probably not be an option depending on how much room we have in the car)
- Searing on our gas camping stove using a stainless steel griddle (like this... click here) I think I'd prefer this option, but only if it gives a good result
or are there other options I have not thought about that you could suggest? Also is using a WSM to cook a steak overkill?!
Currently I'm trying to decide between the WSM or the go anywhere (maybe a smoky joe)
Any input would be great, thank you.
Chris
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