WSM Heat Shield.......Do I need it?

watertowerbbq · 06-26-2009, 09:07 PM

I put together my new 18.5" WSM with my two kids. It took probably three times longer than it should of, but we had a good time.

Anyway, the new model has a heat shield on the bottom. It just sits on some "fingers" molded into the leg sections. It doesn't look like it's going to do much and I think it's going to clank around during moving. My question is, "Do you think it's worth keeping or should I just remove it?". The reason I ask is that it would be easier to do now instead of after I get it seasoned and cooked on. Thanks is advance.

Rookie'48 · 06-26-2009, 09:41 PM

Matt, my WSMs don't put enough heat out of the bottom to make a mark on the concrete, but if you're cooking on a wooden deck it might not hurt to leave the heat shield on.

Frank Sacco · 06-26-2009, 09:49 PM

I would say it's safe to say the heat shield is optional.

Rookie'48 · 06-27-2009, 12:23 AM

Matt - check out this thread: http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/sh...t=51551&page=3

watertowerbbq · 06-27-2009, 03:22 PM

Thanks Dave!

watertowerbbq · 06-27-2009, 03:22 PM

Thanks Frank!

smalls65 · 06-27-2009, 03:54 PM

I would leave it on...better safe than sorry!!!!!!

db · 06-27-2009, 04:35 PM

Once it's on, take some pliers and bend the tabs around the pan. It won't flop around when you move the pit.
db

Meat Burner · 06-27-2009, 05:10 PM

Matt, leave it on brother. Check out this thread from a couple days ago.
http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/sh...ad.php?t=64170

watertowerbbq · 06-27-2009, 06:29 PM

Meat,
Thanks. I'll probably be keeping it on now and I think I'll be moving my WSM's further from the garage from now on. Currently, I always cook with my older WSM in my driveway about 10' from the edge of my garage. I always use a chimney starter and light it about 20' from the garage. Using a guru, I always figured that it was probably safe at that distance, but maybe 20' is a better number. Thanks again.

Meat Burner · 06-27-2009, 06:57 PM

Matt, just makes you sick to see something like that happen to anyone. Our local fire department requirement is 10 feet from any structure. Sounds like db had a good fix for the deflector. Have a great weekend!!!!

06-26-2009, 09:07 PM	#1
watertowerbbq is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 11-07-07 Location: Ankeny, IA	WSM Heat Shield.......Do I need it? I put together my new 18.5" WSM with my two kids. It took probably three times longer than it should of, but we had a good time. Anyway, the new model has a heat shield on the bottom. It just sits on some "fingers" molded into the leg sections. It doesn't look like it's going to do much and I think it's going to clank around during moving. My question is, "Do you think it's worth keeping or should I just remove it?". The reason I ask is that it would be easier to do now instead of after I get it seasoned and cooked on. Thanks is advance. __________________ Matt Head Cook Water Tower BBQ Current: 2017 Yoder YS640 (2021), BWS Extended Party (2012), 14" WSM (2019, used, I have a problem) Previous: BWS Competitor (sold 2012), WSM - 18.5" (2009, sold 2011), WSM - 18.5" (2004, sold 2010) Superfast Orange Thermopen, Yellow MK4, Fireboard, Railroad Detective

06-26-2009, 09:41 PM	#2
Rookie'48 Quintessential Chatty Farker Join Date: 11-12-06 Location: Des Moines, Iowa	Matt, my WSMs don't put enough heat out of the bottom to make a mark on the concrete, but if you're cooking on a wooden deck it might not hurt to leave the heat shield on. __________________ Dave Compton KCBS MasterCBJ # 22569 Member of the 100+ Contest Club Judge Number 6 competition BBQ team Possibly the only judge ever to get an award from a bunch of cooks UDS 075 UCB WSM and a bunch of other stuff.

06-26-2009, 09:49 PM	#3
Frank Sacco is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 10-21-07 Location: Patchogue, NY	I would say it's safe to say the heat shield is optional. __________________ Current: FEC100, BGE Medium, WSM Retired: Spicewine Med, Backwoods Party Weber Lineup: Performer, 22.5" One Touch Gold (redhead), WSJ Platnium, Genesis C Sponsors: Oakridge BBQ, Frontier Charcoal NEBS MAFIA Blazin' Buttz BBQ www.blazinbuttzbbq.com

06-27-2009, 12:23 AM	#4
Rookie'48 Quintessential Chatty Farker Join Date: 11-12-06 Location: Des Moines, Iowa	Matt - check out this thread: http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/sh...t=51551&page=3 __________________ Dave Compton KCBS MasterCBJ # 22569 Member of the 100+ Contest Club Judge Number 6 competition BBQ team Possibly the only judge ever to get an award from a bunch of cooks UDS 075 UCB WSM and a bunch of other stuff.

06-27-2009, 03:22 PM	#5
watertowerbbq is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 11-07-07 Location: Ankeny, IA	Thanks Dave! __________________ Matt Head Cook Water Tower BBQ Current: 2017 Yoder YS640 (2021), BWS Extended Party (2012), 14" WSM (2019, used, I have a problem) Previous: BWS Competitor (sold 2012), WSM - 18.5" (2009, sold 2011), WSM - 18.5" (2004, sold 2010) Superfast Orange Thermopen, Yellow MK4, Fireboard, Railroad Detective

06-27-2009, 03:22 PM	#6
watertowerbbq is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 11-07-07 Location: Ankeny, IA	Thanks Frank! __________________ Matt Head Cook Water Tower BBQ Current: 2017 Yoder YS640 (2021), BWS Extended Party (2012), 14" WSM (2019, used, I have a problem) Previous: BWS Competitor (sold 2012), WSM - 18.5" (2009, sold 2011), WSM - 18.5" (2004, sold 2010) Superfast Orange Thermopen, Yellow MK4, Fireboard, Railroad Detective

06-27-2009, 03:54 PM	#7
smalls65 Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 04-27-09 Location: Durham, NC	I would leave it on...better safe than sorry!!!!!! __________________ Ron (The SmokeHouse Bandits BBQ Cookin Team) BWS Chubby, WSM x 3

06-27-2009, 04:35 PM	#8
db Found some matches. Join Date: 04-08-08 Location: Cleveland mo	Once it's on, take some pliers and bend the tabs around the pan. It won't flop around when you move the pit. db

06-27-2009, 05:10 PM	#9
Meat Burner Quintessential Chatty Farker Join Date: 02-22-07 Location: Springfield, MO	Matt, leave it on brother. Check out this thread from a couple days ago. http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/sh...ad.php?t=64170 __________________ my avatar swiped fatties from the plate....look how sorry he is. ________ Meat. NB Bandera with mods Weber 22 .5" x 2, 26.75" x 1 UDS x 3 KCBS CBJ Created "The Great Spam Revelation of 2011." www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?t=111155

06-27-2009, 06:29 PM	#10
watertowerbbq is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 11-07-07 Location: Ankeny, IA	Meat, Thanks. I'll probably be keeping it on now and I think I'll be moving my WSM's further from the garage from now on. Currently, I always cook with my older WSM in my driveway about 10' from the edge of my garage. I always use a chimney starter and light it about 20' from the garage. Using a guru, I always figured that it was probably safe at that distance, but maybe 20' is a better number. Thanks again. __________________ Matt Head Cook Water Tower BBQ Current: 2017 Yoder YS640 (2021), BWS Extended Party (2012), 14" WSM (2019, used, I have a problem) Previous: BWS Competitor (sold 2012), WSM - 18.5" (2009, sold 2011), WSM - 18.5" (2004, sold 2010) Superfast Orange Thermopen, Yellow MK4, Fireboard, Railroad Detective

06-27-2009, 06:57 PM	#11
Meat Burner Quintessential Chatty Farker Join Date: 02-22-07 Location: Springfield, MO	Matt, just makes you sick to see something like that happen to anyone. Our local fire department requirement is 10 feet from any structure. Sounds like db had a good fix for the deflector. Have a great weekend!!!! __________________ my avatar swiped fatties from the plate....look how sorry he is. ________ Meat. NB Bandera with mods Weber 22 .5" x 2, 26.75" x 1 UDS x 3 KCBS CBJ Created "The Great Spam Revelation of 2011." www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?t=111155

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