Thinking of getting a wsm and have lots of questions...


 
C

Chuck Reagin

New member
I currently own a large big green egg, and I love it. However I go on a few family trips per year where I am asked to cook so I want to get something a little more portable. Thinking a wsm 18 inch. I want to be able to get ribs and whole packet briskets on there. Is that going to be the right size? How portable is it actually? Do most of you use lump or kings ford? I have a stoker for my egg and I know that they have an adaptor for the wsm, how well does that work? If I do go down this path are there any accessories that are must haves. Any thoughts and opinions would be appreciated.
 
I recommend you read these pages. There's tons of info there that will answer these questions and more.

However, since you asked: ribs will have to be scrunched in, sliced in half or curled on an 18". Likewise, a packer brisket will have to be shoehorned between the cooking grate handles or lumped over a brick or rib rack or something. Once it shrinks after the first few hours it's smooth sailin. A 22" does not require these special tricks.

All the WSM(s) are VERY portable. Most folks put them in the back of a truck or on a hitch hauler to go to comps, camping, etc. Some have dedicated comp trailers.

I use lump and briquettes of all brands. Many swear by and only use Kingsford. Here's an article about charcoal.

The stoker will work great with the WSM. Many comp teams as well as casual users use them with great success. I've read that it holds temp +/-1 degree once it locks in. However, I have had great success running a naturally aspirated WSM. ...but I am a weekend warrior and don't need that level of accuracy.

The only accessories I think are must haves are a chimney starter, a lighter, a pair of tongs, and a cold beer. Other than that there are a lot of toy, gizmos and gadgets that are fun to have.

Big Green eggs are great but I think you'll be very happy with the versatility, portability, and initial cost of the WSM. One of the best features over the egg in my book is the access door. I can add charcoal or tend the fire but my brother - an egghead - can't without disassembling his cooker.

I hope this helps get you going. And most importantly - Have fun!
 
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Get the 22.5 inch and you will never use your green egg for smoking ever again. I like green eggs a lot but WSM's are just better for smoking. I can run one 14 hours without touching it much and as I mentioned in another thread, I can squeeze 4 full packer briskets on it. I terms of portability, if you have an SUV or a truck, you can take them anywhere.
 
If you want to do full packers without any hassle go with the 22.The 18 which I have is really to small for that and spares. But seeing I don't do packers and I do spares HH on my kettle the 18 works just fine.
 
I used to haul my 18.5" WSM in the back seat of my four-door sedan, but the bed of a pickup or a hatchback works better. :)

You can cook all but the largest briskets the 18.5" WSM. I typically to 12 pound briskets, but this article shows a 14 pound brisket shoehorned between the grate handles and it cooked fine. Competition guys cook even larger briskets, they just drape them over a chunk of smoke wood or a small bowl and they shrink as they cook.

You can also cook full slabs of ribs in the 18.5" WSM laid out flat depending on their size. See http://virtualweberbullet.com/rib4.html for an example of baby back ribs. Others use rib racks like in this example: http://virtualweberbullet.com/rib3.html or rolled like this: http://virtualweberbullet.com/best-ribs-in-the-universe-by-mike-scrutchfield.html Spareribs are best cut into St Louis style then cooked flat like this: http://virtualweberbullet.com/rib2.html or in a rib rack like this: http://virtualweberbullet.com/rib5.html

As Dwain says, the Stoker is used by practically all the competition BBQ teams running WSMs. Great for overnight cooks if you want to get some sleep, not necessary for daytime cooks.

I personally feel that if you're making just a few trips per year, the 18.5" is the best value, will have the right capacity, will be easier to transport, and is more fuel efficient than the 22.5" model.

Good luck, let us know what you decide and post some photos when you go mobile!
 
Chuck, I made this to take my 18.5 WSM on vacation. It fits perfectly in the back of my pickup.
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It's upside down. The lid gets turned inside the body, and all the grates and water bowl fit in the smaller slots.
And, yes, there is an extra slot for whatever you need.
 
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