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B

Bill Herns

New member
Hello. Bill from Michigan here. First post! I just bought the WSM 22.5. I put it together and realized...this thing is huge. I am thinking of returning it or selling and getting the 18.5. While I occasionally might need the size, I don't think I will very often. I feel it is wasted space as well as more fuel. I sometimes cook for 20 or adults and 7 kids. I feel I can use my kettle if needed if I get the 18.5. I also plan on smoking two turkeys on T'day.
Thought?
Thanks in advance.
 
Go big or go home.....I just recently bought a new WSM 22.5 myself. Although it seems really big at first, once you start smoking with it I think you will be happy. Footprint wise and IMO I don't think it will take up much more space than the "medium" size. I have been a Weber fanatic for many years and have had many kettles over the years. The WSM really compliments the kettle as I always use smoke. Haven't tried it yet but I believe the WSM 22.5 lid will fit on the kettle grill, great for when you want a shorter/higher heat cook but need a higher clearance for say beer can chicken or a turkey.
 
Welcome to the forum Bill and congrats on that WSM. As for the size, I have never regretted getting the 22. If I am going to entertain, I need the extra space since my go to is a brisket packer on top rack and two pork butts on the bottom. Always enough food with leftovers. In my opinion, not that much difference in fuel consumption. As for Thanksgiving turkey, I use my Performer for that with the indirect method and wood chips. I prefer turkey done on high heat (crispy skin) and also brine that bird. Get rave reviews for that one. No matter what you decide, congrats and enjoy the great food you will cook.
 
I have the 18 and have no desire what so ever to step up to the 22. I mostly cook for 5-6 people at a time but have cooked for groups of 30 people with the 18. Everyone finds what works best of their situation. No matter what size you will be happy with the WSM.
 
Welcome to the forum Bill, I debated between both and ended up with the 22.5" and couldn't be happier, but that is my choice. I have learned by playing around on how much fuel to used depending on what I am cooking and really enjoy have the extra space so I don't have to use a rib rack or cut them. But this is just my choice and its totally up to you.
 
"Go big or go home" doesn't apply to everyone regarding the WSM. If you feel it's too big, return it while you still can and get the one YOU want. I have the 18" WSM and I've never used the bottom rack! I love the size even though it's bigger than I need, and it's easy to store. If you're having doubts then it's not the right choice for you. Sometimes you just gotta listen to you!

And welcome to the forums Bill!
 
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Welcome Bill. I do a lot of smoking...so I have an enormous custom made smoker (built it myself, see my profile picture) for my big parties, but I also have a smaller WSM 22.5 that is more practical for cooking for my family. An WSM 18 would have been a better choice, since I rarely use the WSM 22.5 to max capacity.
 
Welcome Bill. You should probably do what suits you and your family the best. I started with the 22, added the 14 and just recently picked up the 18. I use all three quite a bit. Most of the time it's just me and my wife, but we freeze quite a bit and give away a fair amount too. It's given me a lot of pleasure and wouldn't give any of them up.
 
Mike is right, it's your money and you should go with what makes you most happy. I like my 18.5 and can do up to 60lbs of pork butt at a time. But many people really like the 22.5 because it allows them to do racks of ribs laying down. I like my 26.75 kettle for ribs, and would recommend the combination of the 18.5 for smoking and the 26.75 for ribs or most anything else! But in the end it's what makes the individual happy that matters.
 
Welcome bill...the 22 will really burn that charcoal compared to the 18.5. So unless you cook regularly for a crowd it's just a waste in my opinion.
 
I just sold a 6 month old 18 and got a craigslist 22. The top grate space on the 22 gives me a ton of flexability IMO. Not having to to rack or roll ribs is an advantage to me. I don't mind using two racks on a big cook but needing two racks for medium sized cooks made things a little trickier then needed some times.

If the 18 is a better fit for you then go for it but only if you can return the 22. If you sell its possible you'll take a loss as its "used in like new condition" .
 
I agree with Charlie L. I also just sold my 18" because I found it to be too small. Sure, you can get tons of food on the 18". You can cut or roll ribs. You can use both grates. And, you can come up with all kinds of creative ways to arrange the butts to fit 8 or 10 on it. Technically, you'd probably have enough room on an 18". But, I need more elbow room. I find using the bottom grate frustrating to use. I guess it's because I haven't figured out a good way to deal with the lid and the top grate while I'm getting to the bottom grate.

Personally, I suggest you stick with the larger 22".
 
Welcome to the forum Bill!
I think the 18 is sort of a one size fits most, not too big, not too small.
Combined cooking area of both grates:
14 - 286 sq. inches
18 - 481 sq. inches
22 - 726 sq, inches

In the 6 years I've owned an 18, the bottom grate was used once.
My recently acquired 14 is fitting my needs for most cooks now, but it's seldom that I cook for more than a few people.

As others have said, it's your money, your decision, you'll love whichever one you choose.
 
After much pondering I went with the 22" WSM and I am very pleased.
If I had chosen the 18" WSM I am pretty sure I would be just as happy.
I read there is a big difference in fuel consumption between the 18" and the 22" WSM, but having never owned the 18" so I have no reference on that.
I just cooked a brisket in my 22" WSM so here is a fuel consumption report.
Started with 15lbs KBB in the fire ring.
Took 25 briquettes out and started them in the chimney.
Poured them into a can in the middle of the charcoal bed and removed the can.
I used 7 or 8 fist size chunks of wood spread across the top of the charcoal.
Time 8:30 PM.
At 10:30 the WSM was running at 260. Wind calm, temperature in low 70's.
Put brisket on top rack.
I cook with a dry foiled water pan.
Intake vents adjusted to lower the temperature a little bit.
The WSM settled in at 235 degrees at midnight.
I went to sleep.
At 6:15 AM the WSM was running at 244 degrees.
At 8:00 I foiled the brisket.
At 10:00 I transferred the brisket to a cooler to rest and hold.
I opened all the intake vents to 100% to cook a tray of potatoes.
At 10:30 I put a skewer under the edge of the lid to get the temperature higher (>300 degrees).
At 11;30 I took the taters out and closed all the vents.
I just checked the cooker and all of the charcoal is consumed.
15 lbs. consumed @ 240ish for ~13 hours and 300ish for 2 hours.
If the temperature was not kicked up at the end it would have continued to hold 240 for another 4+ hours.
I do not know if that is considered to be fuel efficient or if that is considered to be a fuel hog.
Based only on my own experience that is what I think you can expect from the 22" WSM.
Of course wind, temperature, rain, water in the pan, and meat load will affect fuel consumption.
 
Another one that has the 18 and find it suits my needs. IMO, unless you got a really super deal on the 22, return it, get the 18. Then after you get comfortable with it, look for a used 22 online.

For a once a year smoke, the 22 is overkill. And the extra fuel you'll go through on your regular smokes in the 22 will be substantially more than the 18.

Get the 18 and look for a used 22 WHEN you finally decide you need it.
 
Hi Len,
Can you give an example of fuel consumption in the 18" for a long cook?
Weather conditions, starting weight of fuel, water pan description, cooking temp, duration, left over fuel (if any).
 
Charles H. said:
Hi Len,
Can you give an example of fuel consumption in the 18" for a long cook?
Weather conditions, starting weight of fuel, water pan description, cooking temp, duration, left over fuel (if any).
Click to expand...

I second that.

Truthfully, I am beginning to wonder if the 14.5" model would have been more practical for me, but I bought the 18.5" smoker with Thanksgiving turkey on my mind.
 
If I was buying new I'd probably get the 18, but I got a great deal on a like new 22 from a craigs list type thing. When I first saw it I figured this is what Fred Flintstone uses for his Dino ribs, but after using it, I like it fine. I just add other stuff along with the ribs to fill it up.
Do as you wish, it's your call.
 
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