Thoughts on WSM?

asmonro · 08-15-2013, 11:47 AM

Pretty sure I am going to get a WSM, however, still very undecided on which size to get. I normally cook for small groups of people (10-15) so I know that the 18.5 would be good for that, but I keep going back to the 22.5 because of the potential to do larger groups and ability to fit full racks of ribs and packer briskets. Amount of fuel is not an issue to me. Anyone have any thoughts on which one I should get?

BobM · 08-15-2013, 11:49 AM

I have both an 18 1/2" and 22 1/2" WSM. I use them both. If I had to have just one, I'd get the 22 1/2" model.

Good luck.

aawa · 08-15-2013, 11:51 AM

Get the 18.5in one and learn your craft. Catch the bbq bug and then build yourself a 2 rack UDS. UDS is the same concept as a WSM but with less area's where you can get air leaks.

Frank Mahovlich · 08-15-2013, 11:52 AM

All comes down to personal preference and what will be the best fit for you.

Did my first large-scale (for me, at least) cook for about 30 people. Smoked a 15lb brisket packer. Pulled it from the smoker and slipped it into the oven. Then put 12 racks of St. Louis spare ribs on the smoker. All ended up being done about the same time and I was able to feed this group with a ton of leftovers.

I don't plan on feeding big groups like that very often, but it's nice to know I have the horsepower should the need arise. I have the WSM 22.5. Size matters!

NeilH · 08-15-2013, 11:53 AM

For 10-15 and potentially more, i'd go with the 22 as well for the ease of using.

Frank Mahovlich · 08-15-2013, 11:54 AM

Also- may be a good idea to keep tabs on Craigslist. Ya never know what ya might find. I checked there on a whim and ended up finding my WSM 22. Brand new, still in the box, $150. I couldn't afford not to buy it.

dbq · 08-15-2013, 12:40 PM

I've watched CL for a year and never seen a WSM available, in my area that's why I'm working on the UDS.

charrederhead · 08-15-2013, 12:52 PM

If $$$ is no object, go bigger.

Fo Sizzle My Nizzle · 08-15-2013, 01:16 PM

If you have the ability to, I'd say go with the 22. You can always do smaller cooks with your 22 but you can't do bigger cooks with the 18.

cds9333 · 08-15-2013, 01:22 PM

I would go with the 22. It is what I have been running for two years. It has been great for everything from as small as two racks of spares up to 30# of brisket and 20# of butts. It could have held more, but that is the most I have put on it at once. It can also hold large briskets (17#+) or several rib racks flat on each level.

I also made a smaller charcoal ring out of expanded metal to do the smaller cooks.

5string · 08-15-2013, 03:28 PM

I have both, if I had to pick one it would be the 22.5
At least then you would have the option if more space is needed.

Gasket · 08-15-2013, 03:48 PM

Go with the 22.5. You can do smaller cooks if you need to and just shut down all the vents to extinguish the coals. I always have left over coals for the next cook.

asmonro · 08-15-2013, 05:26 PM

Thank you all for the help in deciding. Now to convince the wife. Any major downfalls with the WSM? Also, are there any must do mods before use?

NeilH · 08-15-2013, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asmonro

Thank you all for the help in deciding. Now to convince the wife. Any major downfalls with the WSM? Also, are there any must do mods before use?

I'd say a slot for your probes if you plan to use a temp device. Wheels won't hurt either.

Happy Hapgood · 08-15-2013, 05:43 PM

There are many ways to get alot more meat on an 18.5. Rib racks, etc. If fuel is not a consideration, I say go with the 22. I can do up to a 16# full packer brisket on my 18.5 or 6 racks of ribs using rib racks (3 per shelf by bending them in a "U" shape) or 4 butts (2 per shelf). With about 12 lbs of KBB, I can run about 14 hours at 250*F +.

Turn a SS bowl upside down for a a large brisket:

Ribs on a rack:

You'll be happy either way. Good Luck!

08-15-2013, 11:47 AM	#1
asmonro Got Wood. Join Date: 08-13-13 Location: Brownsburg, Indiana	Thoughts on WSM? Pretty sure I am going to get a WSM, however, still very undecided on which size to get. I normally cook for small groups of people (10-15) so I know that the 18.5 would be good for that, but I keep going back to the 22.5 because of the potential to do larger groups and ability to fit full racks of ribs and packer briskets. Amount of fuel is not an issue to me. Anyone have any thoughts on which one I should get?

08-15-2013, 11:49 AM	#2
BobM Babbling Farker Join Date: 02-16-12 Location: Long Island, NY	I have both an 18 1/2" and 22 1/2" WSM. I use them both. If I had to have just one, I'd get the 22 1/2" model. Good luck. __________________ "Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy." - Benjamin Franklin \| [COLOR=RoyalBlue][COLOR=Red]Weber[/COLOR] 18 1/2" & 22 1/2" WSM[/COLOR], [COLOR=SeaGreen]22 1/2" & 26 3/4" OTG[/COLOR][COLOR=DimGray][COLOR=Black],[/COLOR] [COLOR=DeepSkyBlue]Genesis S-330[/COLOR][/COLOR] \|[COLOR=DarkRed] [COLOR=Black]\|[/COLOR] BBQ Guru CyberQ WiFi [/COLOR]\| [COLOR=DarkOrange]Maverick ET-732[/COLOR] \| [COLOR=Gray]Gray Thermapen[/COLOR] \|

08-15-2013, 11:51 AM	#3
aawa Babbling Farker Join Date: 07-03-12 Location: Virginia Beach, VA	Get the 18.5in one and learn your craft. Catch the bbq bug and then build yourself a 2 rack UDS. UDS is the same concept as a WSM but with less area's where you can get air leaks. __________________ ~Ren~ Fat Kids Club Founding Member

08-15-2013, 11:52 AM	#4
Frank Mahovlich Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 06-27-13 Location: Twin Cities West Metro, MN	All comes down to personal preference and what will be the best fit for you. Did my first large-scale (for me, at least) cook for about 30 people. Smoked a 15lb brisket packer. Pulled it from the smoker and slipped it into the oven. Then put 12 racks of St. Louis spare ribs on the smoker. All ended up being done about the same time and I was able to feed this group with a ton of leftovers. I don't plan on feeding big groups like that very often, but it's nice to know I have the horsepower should the need arise. I have the WSM 22.5. Size matters!
	1 members found this post helpful.

08-15-2013, 12:40 PM	#7
dbq Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 06-06-12 Location: Aurora, Mo	I've watched CL for a year and never seen a WSM available, in my area that's why I'm working on the UDS. __________________ 22.5 OTG(AU), SJG Mini, SJ X 2, Three wheeler SJ, WGA, modded Char Griller , Q100

08-15-2013, 11:53 AM	#5
NeilH is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 01-13-13 Location: Eastern NC	For 10-15 and potentially more, i'd go with the 22 as well for the ease of using.

08-15-2013, 11:54 AM	#6
Frank Mahovlich Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 06-27-13 Location: Twin Cities West Metro, MN	Also- may be a good idea to keep tabs on Craigslist. Ya never know what ya might find. I checked there on a whim and ended up finding my WSM 22. Brand new, still in the box, $150. I couldn't afford not to buy it.

08-15-2013, 12:52 PM	#8
charrederhead Babbling Farker Join Date: 06-29-12 Location: Litchfield County, CT Name/Nickname : Pete	If $$$ is no object, go bigger. __________________ hopelessly, helplessly, happily addicted to a shipload of Webers

08-15-2013, 01:16 PM	#9
Fo Sizzle My Nizzle is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 07-09-12 Location: Colorado Springs, CO	If you have the ability to, I'd say go with the 22. You can always do smaller cooks with your 22 but you can't do bigger cooks with the 18. __________________ WSM 22 ~ WSM 18 ~ Maverick ET-732 ~ Flaming Fast Thermapen ~ Weber SS Performer ~ Weber 22 OTS ~ Weber 22 OTS ~ Weber 22 OTPlus ~ Weber 22 OTS ~ Weber Q300 When all else fails just ask yourself, WWGALD???

08-15-2013, 01:22 PM	#10
cds9333 Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 09-06-08 Location: Manhattan, KS	I would go with the 22. It is what I have been running for two years. It has been great for everything from as small as two racks of spares up to 30# of brisket and 20# of butts. It could have held more, but that is the most I have put on it at once. It can also hold large briskets (17#+) or several rib racks flat on each level. I also made a smaller charcoal ring out of expanded metal to do the smaller cooks.
	1 members found this post helpful.

08-15-2013, 03:28 PM	#11
5string is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 07-05-12 Location: Geezerville, North Carolfornia	I have both, if I had to pick one it would be the 22.5 At least then you would have the option if more space is needed. __________________ PitBoss & Dishwasher, Smokin' Geezers Grill Team & Gumbo Krewe KCBS CBJ, CTC, CBBQA, ECV

08-15-2013, 03:48 PM	#12
Gasket Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 01-06-12 Location: Nuremburg PA	Go with the 22.5. You can do smaller cooks if you need to and just shut down all the vents to extinguish the coals. I always have left over coals for the next cook. __________________ Modified Char-griller w/sfb, red char-broiler vertical, 22.5 Wsm.

08-15-2013, 05:26 PM	#13
asmonro Got Wood. Join Date: 08-13-13 Location: Brownsburg, Indiana	Thank you all for the help in deciding. Now to convince the wife. Any major downfalls with the WSM? Also, are there any must do mods before use?

08-15-2013, 05:43 PM	#15
Happy Hapgood somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 03-17-12 Location: Shreveport, Louisiana Name/Nickname : Mike	There are many ways to get alot more meat on an 18.5. Rib racks, etc. If fuel is not a consideration, I say go with the 22. I can do up to a 16# full packer brisket on my 18.5 or 6 racks of ribs using rib racks (3 per shelf by bending them in a "U" shape) or 4 butts (2 per shelf). With about 12 lbs of KBB, I can run about 14 hours at 250F +. Turn a SS bowl upside down for a a large brisket: Ribs on a rack: You'll be happy either way. Good Luck! __________________ Cooking Equipment: Weber WSM, Weber GA, Weber Spirit E-310, Weber 22" OTG Charbroil Oilless Turkey Fryer Wife LuzziAnn 1956 model. Ink Bird IBBQ 4T Wi-Fi Temp Monitor, Superfast LSU Purple* Thermapen & ThermaPop, Party Q Ink Bird Sous Vide, HF Flame Thower My Motto these days is "Low Stress, Low Drag". The Artist Formally Known as Toast
	1 members found this post helpful.