WSM vs. ECB: Where is $150?

[LeeBo]

I bought a new WSM. From what I can tell, it looks decent enough and has great reviews on this site and others. I will be firing it up tomorrow!!

While at Lowe's looking for a bigger water pan I noticed the Brinkmans that are $29 to $49 depending on the model.

Based on the great reputation of the WSM I have no buyer's remorse, but remain curious: What makes the WSM $150 better than the Brinkmans?

They looked fairly similar and of similar quality. However, the Brinkman was up on a shelf and I couldn't inspect as well as when I assembled the WSM.

Looking forward to hearing from those who have used both.

[Jorge]

I bought a new WSM. From what I can tell, it looks decent enough and has great reviews on this site and others. I will be firing it up tomorrow!!

While at Lowe's looking for a bigger water pan I noticed the Brinkmans that are $29 to $49 depending on the model.

Based on the great reputation of the WSM I have no buyer's remorse, but remain curious: What makes the WSM $150 better than the Brinkmans?

They looked fairly similar and of similar quality. However, the Brinkman was up on a shelf and I couldn't inspect as well as when I assembled the WSM.

Looking forward to hearing from those who have used both.

Take a look at the bottom of the ECB, then at the top. Note lack of vents in and out and then think about it drawing air, or lack thereof.

[jsmoker]

What Jorge said.... Airflow is key. I started on an ECB and wound up cutting a big arse hole in the bottom of the charcoal pan and installing a small grate in order to improve the airflow. Once you take the sawzall to it and mod it out, the ECB will produce some good Q. Had a buddy that started on an ECB and bought a WSM 6 months later and he swore he would never let anyone he knew buy an ECB if they could help it.

If there is no WSM remorse, stick with it!

[LeeBo]

Oh - I'm definitely going to stick with it, and have no remorse. It's more of a curiousity kind of thing.

[Kirk]

Honestly, I really like my WSM (enough to have just bought a second) but I can't see why they're so expensive. I thought they were a bit overpriced at 179, but nowadays the regular price is closer to 220 - 230 bucks! The only way I can justify it is their performance because it the money certainly isn't wrapped up in materials. I don't think you can get anything else in this price range that cooks as well but I think the price really ought to be closer to 100 bucks.

[kcquer]

I really like my WSM (enough to have just bought a second) but I can't see why they're so expensive.

W-e-b-e-r.

[brdbbq]

W-e-b-e-r.

More like

W-E-B-E-R

[kcquer]

They make a high quality product, mostly in the US as far as I can tell (you never know what sub-assemblies come from overseas) so the Weber name is probably worth it.

[Kirk]

Gotcha!

Actually, I think just about all cookers are overpriced but they're still cheaper than my other hobby (my 66 Chevelle). That one was $6K initial purchase, 7K in the motor, 3K+ in the trans, 3K+ in the rear and suspension, 9K in the body and paint and wheels, 2K in the interior..., I gotta stop now, I'm having buyer's remorse.

[chad]

The Weber is better built and it's porcelinized - unless you chip or crack the finish you'll never get rust and burnout is very rare! The better air control is a plus...I cooked with a $50 ECB for a couple of years and burned out the base - no controls at all but I found the Minion method kept things very doable.

[D.B.Cooper]

I started out on an ECB and moved on to a Weber a few years later. Better temp and air control was the biggest improvement over the ECB. After my WSM was trashed I went with out a smoker for a little over a year. It was hell. I made some good ribs on my kettle but wanted to get a real smoker again.

I looked at the WSM and after seeing the price jump I decided to look at other offerings and ended up with a BDS. If Weber made the WSM the size of my kettle at its current price I would have bought it. In a few more years I am going to jump to a stick burner.

[BBQchef33]

i know i shoudl know this. and probably do and im just having a friday ewvening brainfart but...

whats a BDS?

[D.B.Cooper]

The "Big Drum Smoker"

[ThomEmery]

Yes Them Big Drum Guys is every where

[Qczar]

Ya can buy a whole farking washing maching for a $150.

Hey, lay it on it`s side, get in in a 'slow tumble spin', and get some hot smoke in it!

[ZBQ]

My take on the rise of cost of a WSM is based on what I am seeing at the metal fabrication shop I work in.

The cost of steel has skyrocketed in the last couple of years. Stainless is outrageous!!

I have no idea why this is happening, but it is.:roll:

I just this past week priced a 5'X10'X 10ga.(roughly 1/8") sheet of stainless. $535 bucks!! :eek::eek:

Same sheet of hot rolled mild steel was $128 bucks.

[Brauma]

I agree that the approx $200 price of a WSM is mainly because of the "W" = Weber. Ive been wanting one for a while but cant make myself pay the $.

Theres a great website out there (and I think the guy is a Brethren) that gives ECB mods. If Im not mistaken, BeerGuy has done some of these mods and they work great.

Here it is: http://www.randyq.addr.com/ecb/ecbmods.html

Be sure to check out his home/main page for smoked salmon how to tips. Its the best!!

[ThomEmery]

My take on the rise of cost of a WSM is based on what I am seeing at the metal fabrication shop I work in.

The cost of steel has skyrocketed in the last couple of years. Stainless is outrageous!!

I have no idea why this is happening, but it is.:roll:

I just this past week priced a 5'X10'X 10ga.(roughly 1/8") sheet of stainless. $535 bucks!! :eek::eek:

Same sheet of hot rolled mild steel was $128 bucks.

On the other end scrap steel I used to give away I now get as much as $700 a load for

OH Man I am a Farker LOL

[Kirk]

My take on the rise of cost of a WSM is based on what I am seeing at the metal fabrication shop I work in.

The cost of steel has skyrocketed in the last couple of years. Stainless is outrageous!!

I have no idea why this is happening, but it is.:roll:

I just this past week priced a 5'X10'X 10ga.(roughly 1/8") sheet of stainless. $535 bucks!! :eek::eek:

Same sheet of hot rolled mild steel was $128 bucks.

Yeah, steel has gone way up, but we're not talking 10 ga either. And think about the volume discount the Weber surely gets on the stuff. Like I said, I have 2 WSM's now and paid full price for both. If competition required me to get a third, I'd borrow one or search garage sales high and low to find one cheap. They are great cookers, but there's no way could I justify the cost a third time.

[Brauma]

My bro-in-law is a welder. He says China is buying all available iron ore in the world. This is causing steel prices to rise. Hope those farkers aren't building up a war machine, they already out number us 3-1. I hear they are going thru their own industrial revolution. But you never know.

[ThomEmery]

Yeah, steel has gone way up, but we're not talking 10 ga either. And think about the volume discount the Weber surely gets on the stuff. Like I said, I have 2 WSM's now and paid full price for both. If competition required me to get a third, I'd borrow one or search garage sales high and low to find one cheap. They are great cookers, but there's no way could I justify the cost a third time.

There is no way to justiify the cost What is you crazy???
There is always a way to justify the cost of Q equipment

[Kirk]

I could probably explain the diversion of funds to my wife, but my Chevelle just wouldn't understand. It's been sorely neglected lately. Between the new baby, home construction projects and a practice cook here and there I haven't even had time to wash the old girl yet this year or even take her out for a quick joyride (the car, not the wife)!

[thirdeye]

Yes Them Big Drum Guys is every where

Boy are they! Just popped the cherry (wood) on mine tonight. Here is what it delivered to the table.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v377/thirdeye2/BDS/1f1724ff.jpg

[Kevin]

I believe thirdeye earns the Bob Guccione award tonight.
Outstanding looking ribs.

[thirdeye]

I believe thirdeye earns the Bob Guccione award tonight.
Outstanding looking ribs.

Hey isn't he the dude that makes that fancy luggage :lol:

Thanks for the kind words on the ribs, they were good & I ate too many!

[MilitantSquatter]

Thirdeye - Great looking ribs !!!!

I recently bought two WSM's... compared to a 22" kettle, there is not nearly double the amount of metal to justify more than double the cost. They can charge a premium for the relatively low volume for the WSM and the fact that it's a great bargain compared to high end units for the backyard occasional cook who wants to smoke meat. Still I don't think $200 is unreasonable for a unit that will provide years of service.

(Side note : Regarding metals - I would disagree that 302 & 304 stainless steel costs are on the rise.. I am a Raw Materials Product Manager for a national industrial supply distributor company. I follow metals costs closely on a daily basis. Steel prices did rise two years ago substantially but have leveled and actually cooled in the last 6-9 months. I've actually been able to go back and re-negotiate many deals in recent months with the steel service centers. If your finding high prices it's because the guys your buying from still have overvalued inventory that was bought at peak pricing. Yes.... China & India are buying up the metals market. Steel was up building China's new infrastructure, now on to copper to support their lack of electricity that often forces factories that produce their low cost goods to only be open several days a week as well as all the new buildings etc. Right now... Copper is the hottest commodity - up 100%... Copper has doubled in cost per lb. since Oct. Mines shutdowns and trade speculators also a key factor Aluminum is up 35%.)

[The_Kapn]

Vinnie--Thanks a Million!

TIM