WSM - 18.5" or 22.5"?

Ringburner · 09-15-2012, 08:36 PM

Hi all

As I eagerly await the delivery of my WSM 22.5" (coming to New Zealand from the United States, apparently on the slowest boat known to man) I'm pondering whether the extra $$$ I spent on the bigger one was worth it.
I mostly only cook for myself, my wife and my 4yo son. Making all the usuals: PP, brisket, ribs, spatchcock chicken, smoked chicken breast etc....

My justification at the time was that I would probably want to upgrade at some time anyway (given that anytime there is something bigger/better than what you have, you will invariably lust after it and want the upgrade).

Im certain I'm not the only one chewing over this dilemma and thought some discussion on it would be useful.

Anyone care to comment on how much they can fit on the respective sizes?

Thoughts anyone?

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BBQ Bandit · 09-15-2012, 08:45 PM

Short answers;

Congrats!!!

You have chosen wisely.
You will want the capacity - for bigger gatherings.
It will happen.

Just use the upper grate for your family - include the second grate for parties.

swamprb · 09-15-2012, 08:47 PM

You made the right decision.

chriscw81 · 09-15-2012, 08:48 PM

congrats!! nice choice, i wish i had a WSM. going with the 22.5 was a good choice in my opinion. better to have more room than to not have enough.

CarlWayne · 09-15-2012, 08:49 PM

Bigger is always better

cheapbeer · 09-15-2012, 08:58 PM

Good buy. The 22.5 will work out better for longer items like brisket and spareribs. You will thoroughly enjoy this purchase........... When it arrives send me a plane ticket and I will come over and appreciate it with you over a few beverages.

NickyG · 09-15-2012, 08:59 PM

I made the wrong choice only buying the 18.5. Should have went bigger! You made the smart choice.

rookiedad · 09-15-2012, 09:01 PM

feel secure in your choice! you're gonna like it. you may want to experement with a fire ring from a 18.5 for fuel conservation and shorter cooks. congratulations!

Ringburner · 09-15-2012, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rookiedad

feel secure in your choice! you're gonna like it. you may want to experement with a fire ring from a 18.5 for fuel conservation and shorter cooks. congratulations!

Good tip! Will definitely order one.

Cheers :)

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happycamper · 09-15-2012, 10:16 PM

I use the baskets from the performer for ribs and shorter cooks, really cuts.down on the fuel consumption. Good choice on the 22.5.

Trumpstylz · 09-15-2012, 10:26 PM

Just curious- i know that wsm's cost close to a thousand dollars over there, but how much was it, and how much more than the 18.5 was it?

Ringburner · 09-15-2012, 10:36 PM

The retail is $1050 for 22.5" and i think $900-$950 for 18.5".....

I got an importer to get me one and will be about $800 after shipping, duty etc for the 22.5", that includes an extra cover too....

I hate to buy overseas and cut the local retailer out but that sort of saving I can't ignore.

Webers are insanely priced here. The cheapest I've seen a OTG for is like $350!
Smokey Joe silver is $100!!

Someone was selling some old bubba kegs recently for $999 which is a good deal here.

Fair to say we're getting screwed!

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cheapbeer · 09-15-2012, 10:41 PM

Hard to put a price on quality que...................

Ringburner · 09-15-2012, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheapbeer

Hard to put a price on quality que...................

True that brother

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BobM · 09-15-2012, 11:31 PM

I have both an 18 1/2" and a 22 1/2" WSM. If it fits in the small WSM, I use it, otherwise I use it's big brother.

If I had to buy just one WSM, no question I would buy the 22 1/2" model.

Congrats and good luck with it!

Bob

09-15-2012, 08:36 PM	#1
Ringburner Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 05-26-12 Location: Auckland, NEW ZEALAND Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	WSM - 18.5" or 22.5"? Hi all As I eagerly await the delivery of my WSM 22.5" (coming to New Zealand from the United States, apparently on the slowest boat known to man) I'm pondering whether the extra $$$ I spent on the bigger one was worth it. I mostly only cook for myself, my wife and my 4yo son. Making all the usuals: PP, brisket, ribs, spatchcock chicken, smoked chicken breast etc.... My justification at the time was that I would probably want to upgrade at some time anyway (given that anytime there is something bigger/better than what you have, you will invariably lust after it and want the upgrade). Im certain I'm not the only one chewing over this dilemma and thought some discussion on it would be useful. Anyone care to comment on how much they can fit on the respective sizes? Thoughts anyone? Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2

09-15-2012, 08:45 PM	#2
BBQ Bandit Babbling Farker Join Date: 02-15-08 Location: Harrisburg, PA Downloads: 1 Uploads: 0	Short answers; Congrats!!! You have chosen wisely. You will want the capacity - for bigger gatherings. It will happen. Just use the upper grate for your family - include the second grate for parties. __________________ Bacon should be capitalized as a pronoun for pork! A BBQ Servant; cooking for the Troops, Churches, and Charity Operation BBQ Relief founding member Lang 84 Deluxe Kitchen known as "The Glamazon" Custom Klose Backyard Chef... of Snot, 22.5 WSM Former smokers; Lang 60 Mobile - The Damsel II, Lang 48 Patio - The Damsel, and Bubba Keg Grill - RIP

09-15-2012, 08:47 PM	#3
swamprb somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 10-27-06 Location: Bothell WA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	You made the right decision. __________________ Brian - Left Hand Smoke BBQ PNWBA 2010 Team of the Year BGE's/WSM's/BWS Gater/BDS Clones/Weber Performer w EZ-Que/Cajun Bandit/Rib-O-Lator Test Pilot/La Caja China/BBQ Guru/Weber 1000 RK Drum Coffee Roaster Follow Left Hand Smoke on Facebook!http://www.facebook.com/pages/Left-H...462391?sk=wall KCBS CBJ/PNWBA CBJ www.pnwba.com

09-15-2012, 08:49 PM	#5
CarlWayne Take a breath! Join Date: 10-24-11 Location: Granbury, Texas Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Bigger is always better __________________ My real name is Clint. Weber Kettle 22.5. UDS. Working on another UDS.

09-15-2012, 09:01 PM	#8
rookiedad is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 07-21-05 Location: patchogue, n.y. Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	feel secure in your choice! you're gonna like it. you may want to experement with a fire ring from a 18.5 for fuel conservation and shorter cooks. congratulations! __________________ Phil Better Days Barbeque Backwoods Party 3 WSMs 22" Weber Kettle Smokey Joe

09-15-2012, 08:48 PM	#4
chriscw81 is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 07-01-12 Location: Fredericksburg, VA Downloads: 4 Uploads: 0	congrats!! nice choice, i wish i had a WSM. going with the 22.5 was a good choice in my opinion. better to have more room than to not have enough.

09-15-2012, 08:58 PM	#6
cheapbeer On the road to being a farker Join Date: 07-07-12 Location: Westfield, Wisconsin Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Good buy. The 22.5 will work out better for longer items like brisket and spareribs. You will thoroughly enjoy this purchase........... When it arrives send me a plane ticket and I will come over and appreciate it with you over a few beverages.

09-15-2012, 08:59 PM	#7
NickyG Knows what a fatty is. Join Date: 07-08-12 Location: Conway, AR Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I made the wrong choice only buying the 18.5. Should have went bigger! You made the smart choice.

09-15-2012, 10:16 PM	#10
happycamper Is lookin for wood to cook with. Join Date: 11-16-11 Location: Shakopee, MN Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I use the baskets from the performer for ribs and shorter cooks, really cuts.down on the fuel consumption. Good choice on the 22.5.

09-15-2012, 10:26 PM	#11
Trumpstylz is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 10-29-11 Location: Chicagoland Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Just curious- i know that wsm's cost close to a thousand dollars over there, but how much was it, and how much more than the 18.5 was it? __________________ Weber One Touch Gold 2001 Weber Genesis that is no longer used since the OTG

09-15-2012, 10:36 PM	#12
Ringburner Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 05-26-12 Location: Auckland, NEW ZEALAND Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	The retail is $1050 for 22.5" and i think $900-$950 for 18.5"..... I got an importer to get me one and will be about $800 after shipping, duty etc for the 22.5", that includes an extra cover too.... I hate to buy overseas and cut the local retailer out but that sort of saving I can't ignore. Webers are insanely priced here. The cheapest I've seen a OTG for is like $350! Smokey Joe silver is $100!! Someone was selling some old bubba kegs recently for $999 which is a good deal here. Fair to say we're getting screwed! Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2

09-15-2012, 10:41 PM	#13
cheapbeer On the road to being a farker Join Date: 07-07-12 Location: Westfield, Wisconsin Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Hard to put a price on quality que...................

09-15-2012, 11:31 PM	#15
BobM is Blowin Smoke! Join Date: 02-16-12 Location: Long Island, NY Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I have both an 18 1/2" and a 22 1/2" WSM. If it fits in the small WSM, I use it, otherwise I use it's big brother. If I had to buy just one WSM, no question I would buy the 22 1/2" model. Congrats and good luck with it! Bob __________________ "Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy." - Benjamin Franklin \| Weber 18 1/2" & 22 1/2" WSM, 22 1/2" & 26 3/4" OTG, Genesis S-330 \| \| BBQ Guru CyberQ WiFi \| Maverick ET-732 \|