CL New Braunfels and are WSM's any fun?

You are feeling the normal "I'm gonna learn it the hard way" feelings. A small stickburner or Bandera is a great learning tool. The WSM is a fantastic cooker. You can focus on the food more instead of the fire. You'll learn a whole new bunch of cuss words with a small "traditional" cooker. :-D

But, you'll have to make your own decision because every one of us came into que by a slightly different path!

Good luck and welcome to the neighborhood.

One of each!

Based on what you said, start with an offset from CL. You will learn the most important secrets to fire management that way. After that, try a WSM (relatively cheap compared to others). After that, you will know what you want and will not have had to invest much money in cookers to get exactly what you know you want.

I got my start on a Brinkman Cimmaron offset. Produced some great Q with that thing.

But the "fun" of tending a fire for 18 hours wears off after awhile, so I opted for the WSM. 5 of them actually.

As far as I'm concerned it's the best dollar for dollar value available.

I bought my NBBD off CL and I am loving it. Though I am thinking 200 is to much for it. I picked up mine for 60. Thought it may be a regional thing. How ever I would for after looking at it offer less.

I think it depends on what is your idea of fun. To me the idea of fiddling with vents every 30 minutes and feeding fuel is tedious labor. Fun for me is making good bbq and I've found the best way to do that is by bbqing a lot to find out what I like and works out for me. I think I'd have bbq'ed a lot less and not be as good at what I make if every cook were a hugely involved process. I wouldn't/couldn't do it.

I started on an NBBD. Well, actually a ECB electric thingee, but I ain't really counting that. I really enjoyed the NBBD and eventually I moved on to a Klose, which I love. I do enjoy stick burning, but I'm finishing up my UDS (hopefully this weekend) 'cause sometimes I just want to throw some grub on and do other things. I'd like to get a WSM at some point as well - I'm waiting on a good CL score for that.

As for stickburning, there is something about it that is really satisfying to me. I think it's a good idea to be able to cook on anything anywhere.

syndicate559 said:

One of each!

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There's the most likely outcome

I had a Bandera. I really enjoyed cooking on it. But we went through a period of family problems, and I didn't have the time to dedicate to smoking meat for over a year. I would stick with the WSM, and keep my eye open for a real deal on a stick burner if you really want one. Many of the WSM owners on this forum started with stick burners.

the OK joe has the pot warmer top on the fire box. could be handy for beans, warming wood, etc

as far as the weight of a nbbd i am not sure i as i bought mine used so i didn't get any paperwork with is. as for the messurements it is from the ground to the top of the smoke stack is 50" and 53" across. i know that i can do a small pig/hog in this about 100lb or less. have yet to do it but i know that it is an option. Also just keep in mind that you will have to do modification for this unless they have done them and keep send it with you.

Smiter Q said:

the OK joe has the pot warmer top on the fire box. could be handy for beans, warming wood, etc

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so does the NBBD

Hmm, my first was a home built offset smoker. I learned a lot from it. I still use it for short cooks. I have now built two UDS and the third and fourth are in progress. As mention already managing a fire for 18 hours can get a little tiring. I would love a 22" WSM and three or four would be even better.

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As many have already said (and we're not being evasive here) it's really up to you and what you're looking for.

Personally, I love all my smokers for what each offers. I started on my ECB. It was "upgraded" when I build the UDS and since the drum has more capacity, it's my "go to" cooker.

I've always had at least 1 kettle and LOVE their versatility.

When I bought my Oklahoma Joe's Bandera style upright offset, I fell in love again. I love it because it's a stick burner. Like gtr said, there's just something very cool about managing the fire on the offset. When you figure it out and just have to add a log every so often and never need to touch the vents and keep it puffing out that thin blue smoke, it's just a feeling of achievement and satisfaction that I can't describe. It's definitely a challenge.

Many times, though, I just don't feel like (or honestly can't) dedicate the time needed to fiddle with the stick buner. I don't have a WSM, but have cooked on one a few times. I classify it the same as my (modified) ECB or the UDS as a "set it and forget it" cooker. Also a great advantage when it's needed. Sleep is nice.:becky::thumb:


Anyway.....if you can........you'll appreciate getting both. If not, chose one and make the most of it. if you're wanting to eventually go with a high dollar offset, I'd recommend a cheaper starter model first. Fire managment skills are something that once you get the basics down, you will be able to quickly apply it to any offset.

Good luck with whatever you chose!

Harbormaster said:

I got my start on a Brinkman Cimmaron offset. Produced some great Q with that thing.

But the "fun" of tending a fire for 18 hours wears off after awhile, so I opted for the WSM. 5 of them actually.

As far as I'm concerned it's the best dollar for dollar value available.

Click to expand...

Same here -- I thought it was cool to "tend my BBQ" all day, for a while. It got old, after a while.

For me, the fun part is coming up with new things to BBQ, and playing mad scientist/iron chef in the kitchen. It is a real thrill when you hit one out of the park, too. It's that thrill of "I made that."

So, I now use a WSM with an iQue 110 temperature controller.

Anyway, it can't hurt to play around with a cheap CL stick burner. If you don't like it, you can sell it to someone else on CL.

CD