WSM clone


 
L

Louis

TVWBB Fan
Hi there,

Well I was shopping earlier this summer for a new gas bbq and i found something quite interesting from a Canadian company ... somehow it looks like a WSM clone ( dont worry i own the original WSM 18.5 lol not the clone) ... here is the link and a picture :

grill_smoker_features.jpg


http://www.napoleongrills.com/...arbecue_featues.html

But there is one really interesting feature on this one and this is the toggle latches !! it gives you to possibility to EASILY access any part of the smoker by lifting it using the top handle !! that is a quite cool idea don't you think ??!!

you can access both grates, water pan, charcoal !
 
That toggle latch thing seems like a good idea. But if you're not careful and you think you have the latches undone but you forgot one - and then you grab that lid handle and pull...DISASTER!!! But other than that it looks nice. Eyelets for temp probes, extra large water pan, its got a hanging bar in the lid - its got some good little bells and whistles. Interesting to see how it performs compared to the WSM. Any word on price?? How much $US??
 
Very interesting and frankly very nice. I think the toggles are probably meant to get a better seal -- no way I would life any part other than the lid by the top handle! That's what those side handles are for as far as I'm concerned.

With the accessory charcoal separators, it looks like it's intended to also serve as a grill (with the mid-section out). I wonder if toggle clamps help line the top and bottom sections for that purpose. (Edit: Oops, just looked at the Napoleon link -- that's how it's advertised.)

Rich
 
I think I saw this at a local store a few days ago. I didn't pay much attention to it (I was there to look at the WSM's), but it was over by them. I don't remember the name on it, so it may have been a different one, but it sure looked identical (including the (very small) access doors not seen in the posted picture).

It looked very similar to the WSM, and at first glance, very cool. However, after poking at it for a few minutes, it didn't feel as heavy duty, sturdy, or well built as the WSM. I really didn't have much interest in looking at it after about 2 minutes, and went back to the WSM's (which I later bought).
 
I think this is essentially the same thing as the ProQ BBQ Smoker that came out of the UK a few years back. As I recall, someone posted a photo of the legs collapsed under the weight of a loaded cooker and complaints about the finish holding up since it's not porcelain coated like the WSM.

Regards,
Chris
 
I have a ProQ 20 XL which I believe is the same design. I used it a dozen times and always had a hard time keeping a consistent temp. I bought a 22.5" WSM and it will run all night and it holds temp well. I bought the ProQ for $160.00 shipped off eBay so price was the main factor to make me try it. No way would I pay a price similar to the price of a WSM. The clone has some cool design features but I dont think the air flow works as well as the WSM. Secondly, the area where the ash builds up is narrower and shallower than the WSM this also impedes air flow, temp and long unattended cooks. A friend of mine experienced the same issues, after comparing stories he too just bought the WSM for the 4th of July weekend! The clone still looks cool sitting on my deck though.
 
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