what to do with $200?

[Marck]

Okay, help me out here. I've got 200 bucks to spend on some new gear - here are the options I'm considering;

1) the copper colored 22.5 Weber at Target for $100, plus a smokenator with hovergrill and thermometer.
2) the copper colored Weber and a regular black 22.5 Weber
3) used 18" WSM on Craigslist, comes with cover and a couple bags of Kingsford for $200.

At this point my only gear is a 22.5 Weber.

What would you get?

[hamiltont]

Originally Posted by Marck

What would you get?

Send me the money & I'll let ya know. Sorry, couldn't resist...

I'd pro'lly go with the WSM myself. Cheers!!!

[bover]

A UDS and many cases of beer.

Otherwise, I'd go for the WSM

[Smoothsmoke]

3

[deguerre]

If the WSM is in good shape I'd go for that.

[WineMaster]

I would save it till I had another 150 then get the 22.5 WSM. If you get the 18.5 You will always wish you had the 22.5

[Southern Home Boy]

The smaller WSMs are just a tease. Like Winemaster said, ifyou get one, you'll just wish you'd gotten the 22" model. And if you get the 22" model, you'll kick yourself for dropping that kind of coin on a smoker you could have built yourself out of a 55 gal. steel drum and a few misc. parts.

Gotta go with bover on this one.

[BobBrisket]

I'd offer 150 for the WSM and build a UDS or two with the rest of the money. That way you have best of both worlds. I'd skip the kettles since you already have one.

Bob

[Cast Iron Chef]

What Bob says. Keep your kettle and add WSM.

[whodeyQ]

I would look into building the UDS. I've got two now and never use my WSM.

[Marck]

I know there are a bunch of threads on the UDS, but, quick question - do you have to know how to weld in order to make one? What's the biggest advantage of a UDS over a couple of kettles?

[Southern Home Boy]

Originally Posted by Marck

I know there are a bunch of threads on the UDS, but, quick question - do you have to know how to weld in order to make one? What's the biggest advantage of a UDS over a couple of kettles?

I've built four UDS and have no idea how to weld. You absolutely can build a fantastic cooker w/o welding.

The advantage of a UDS over a kettle is that it holds rock solid temperatures for very long cooks and uses very little fuel. One well-built UDS will have three to four times the cooking capacity of a kettle and will use less than 10# of briquettes (maybe a little more if you use lump) for a 12 to 13 hour cook. Full packer briskets are hard to do on a kettle - but they're a breeze on a UDS.

[jimmyinsd]

Originally Posted by Marck

I know there are a bunch of threads on the UDS, but, quick question - do you have to know how to weld in order to make one? What's the biggest advantage of a UDS over a couple of kettles?

no welding required. i made one in a little under an hour last monday, but i used a welder on my coal basket. you dont need to though, you can just bolt it together.

if you took a little time and found a drum that will accept your existing weber lid (they are out there) you would be able to easily double decker the meat and still have room for a 3rd rack down that could hold a water pan just like the WSM only bigger, badder, and hell of alot cheaper.

[smoke-n-my-i's]

I just done 6 brisket flats on my UDS that averaged 6lbs each... do that on a kettle... used lump, abt 10 lbs and burned for 9 1/2 hrs and used abt half of it..... shut the vents all down, smothered out the fire, and will use it next time with a little fresh..... I LOVE my drum, and sacrificed a 22" kettle for the rack, lid, and charcoal grate... never looked back. (I do have a 18" kettle that I use abt 6 times a year)....

[Big Frank]

#3 You can cook a lot of food in a 18" WSM