Visual Comparison Between the 14.5 WSM and the Mini-Joe Smokers


 
R

Robert McGee

TVWBB Gold Member
I received my 14.5" WSM today. It was "used" from Amazon Warehouse Sale. Well, the box was WELL used but the smoker was brand new without a mark and all parts were intact. Quite a deal for under $160.00.

I assembled it post haste and as anyone who has done this it is really a piece of cake. It's a good thing it IS easy as the instructions are certainly not the best.

Open note to Weber:
If you want a GOOD page of assembly instructions I could help you there...:rolleyes:

Now, back to the WSM. It is, as is typical of Weber products, well built of first class materials.

1 - In a direct visual comparison, it appears that the WSM will hold a good bit more charcoal than the Mini-Joe. This, of course, has a direct bearing on how long it will cook without requiring replenishment.

2 - The WSM has a rather large water pan for those that use one - that really doesn't make any difference to me as I
typically just foil my water pan. However, for those that use water, it could be important.

3 - The distance between food grates in the WSM are not quite 5.5" (my Mini-Joe is 6.0 inches).

4 - The WSM has a high dome lid (vs. the flatter lid of the Mini-Joe). That's a plus, but with the grate placement on the
Mini, not a big plus.

5 - The WSM has the usual three vents at the bottom that have proven to work very well in controlling the heat output.
I consider this a plus over the Mini-Joe.

6 - One thing I REALLY liked about the WSM is the built in handles on the food grates. I wish my 18.5" had those
originally. I had to add those to mine. That is a DEFINITE plus.

7 - When I first heard of the silicone grommet (for the thermometer leads) in the new WSM I was underwhelmed. I had
just simply put a slot in the rim of my 18.5" WSM and the Mini-Joe and am quite happy with that modification.
However, now that I have seen the new grommet, I must may be a new fan of this improvement. Count this a plus!

8 - I am going to really miss the barrel handles on the 14.5" WSM compared to the Mini-Joe. I just may have to add the
modification to my two WSM's. Count this a plus for the Mini-Joe.

9 - Using the Mini-Joe, I have come to enjoy the ability of loading up the smoker in the kitchen and then carrying the
barrel out to the patio already loaded with meat (using the lid from the original steamer as a tray). The barrel being
lightweight aluminum makes this practical. The WSM, being porcelain steel, is a bit too heavy to be practical to do
this way. However, there is NO denial that Weber's porcelain covered steel is at least a twenty year proposition.
Count this feature a draw...

10 - The WSM comes with a cover. This is a PLUS.

11 - Now, the REAL question. Which would I rather have? If we are honest with ourselves, that is not as easy a decision
as you might think. Keep in mind that I have not yet used the 14.5" WSM. I doubt that there will be any surprises
for me, however, as I have used a 18.5" for a couple of years. I have a number of smokes on the Mini-Joe and
been extremely happy with it. The Mini-Joe cost about $100.00 if you buy new parts. It is not hard to build but you
must have some hand skills and some tools (and like doing things yourself). The WSM lists for $200.00 but a few
minutes assembly with a wrench and screw driver and it is ready to go.

I like them both and don't see myself getting rid of either (including my 18.5" WSM). This is definitely a GOOD piece of
gear.

Here is mine just before I put it together:



Here is a visual comparison between the Mini-Joe and the 14.5" WSM:


I was concerned that my Mini-Joe might get jealous of the WSM, but when I introduced them there was a instant LIKE between them. They are going to play nice together.

Keep on smokin',
Dale53:wsm:
 
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Great post. I just got around to putting my 14.5 WSM from the Amazon Warehouse deal together today. You are 100% correct about the instructions. After putting together alot of Ikea furniture together the past few weeks, seeing what Weber considers "instructions" is pretty poor.
 
I too just finished putting together my "Amazon Deal" baby smoker. I agree, the instructions are mostly non-existent but really aren't needed. Box was a little beat up, but all of the stuff that was supposed to be wrapped in plastic seemed to be. All looked new. Of course, the door needed bending to get it to fit right. Wonder if Cajun Bandit will be making a stainless door for it?

What is the hole in the rim of the water pan for, if anyone knows? Not in any of my other smokers, but none of them are 2014 models either so the hole may be in the new ones. The heat shield was a new feature, also.

I may do a brisket practice run Sat. to try out a new recipe, and if I do, I'll use the little guy.
 
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Nice post very informative, I have a mini and it does all I need for the wife and I so a 14.5 isn't in the picture for me at this time. It's going to be interesting to see with the larger charcoal capacity how long one will go without a reload. I can get 7-8 hours out of the mine and that's about all I'll ever need, no over nighters for me.
 
Thanks for the kind words, folks.

Rich;
I'll be doing a 8-9 lb Boston Butt on my 14.5" in a few days. The weather has been LOUSY around here for the past few weeks. It is supposed to warm up a bit in a few days and maybe the snow and ice will reduce on my patio so I can do some grillin' and smokin'. I'll first do a high heat cook off in the 14.5" just to burn off any residual oils, etc. I'll simply put a full lit chimney of Kingsford with the vents wide open and "let 'er rip". Then, it should be ready to roll with the Boston Butt. I haven't done any serious smokin' since this really rough weather started. Guess I'm just a wuss...

Reports to continue...

Keep on smokin',
Dale53:wsm:
 
Thanks Robert! Now you can have a do it yourself throwdown using both cookers at the same
time. Like divide a slab of ribs, or some pork or chicken and cook some on each cooker. See which you
like better, or if there is any difference at all. I would like to hear your results.
 
Any chance I can see a pic of the 14.5 next to the 18.5?

I would really like to see all 3 wsm next to each other. to bad you dont have a 22
 
22.5, 18.5, and 14.5

12602491655_a08a15bb94_b.jpg
 
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Ah, you beat me to it! Here's what I just saw at my local OSH:



Even as a Smokey Joe owner, I was quite surprised at how small the 14.5 WSM is, especially in comparison with the others. Honestly, I think our mini-smokey joe builds have more usable space than the 14.5 WSM. The only benefit, I think, to the 14.5 WSM is that big dome on top for a pork shoulder or a small chicken.
 
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Do you think I should sell my 18 and get a 14? Started with the 18 just got a 22. Would you do it? The 22 is for when I want to do full slabs and briskets. I have only used my 18 when doing butts and chicken now. Can you do a 1 butt on each rack in a 14?
 
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MCrooks;
I have an 18.5, a 14.5, and a Mini-Joe. I will NOT be getting rid of any of the three. I will not be buying a 22.5 as I have no need for that large a capacity.

You can comfortably do two Boston Butts (each over 8.0 lbs.) at a time with NO problems as I did just that:

http://tvwbb.com/showthread.php?49200-Breaking-in-the-14-5-WSM

You might want to get a 14.5 and try it for a while alongside your 18.5 before you decide whether or not to get rid of one of them. My experience with my Mini-Joe shows me that they have a much greater capacity than it first appears. You can use two of the Brinkman rib racks (they are a perfect fit for the Mini or the 14.5 and work equally well on the 18.5). I cut the racks of ribs in half and with the two racks can easily do eight half racks of ribs at a time on the Mini-Joe and will do the same with my new 14.5. Further, the ribs are evenly cooked from end to end (when using full racks of ribs indirect on my 22.5" OTG, the ends were overcooked). I much prefer the "racked ribs".

I certainly don't NEED a 14.5 AND a Mini-Joe but I'm keeping both of them. I'll use 'em, too!

Keep on smokin',
Dale53:wsm:
 
I have the 14.5 and the Mini I built as well as a 22.5, there is an 18.5 for sale (3 cooks) about 50 miles away for $75, I was agonizing over it, but decided that I really don't need it. The other day I did 3 chicken quarters on the 14.5 top shelf, and 2 on the Silver B as my wife really doesn't like smoked food, so I am only cooking for myself, or most times my two 20 somethings. I figured that I could get the same capacity from the 14.5 and the mini at the same time that I would get if I got the 18.5 and for cooks up to 7 hours probably less charcoal with the 2 of them. For bigger cooks I can use the 22.5

BUT... I would love to give the 18.5 a good home it would look great on my patio, again however the wife is saying I have too many know. I said I could make the patio bigger!





 
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