Should I get a WSM 18?

[Smokey Al Gold]

Wow I can't believe I haven't posted in forever! After joining team husbands it seems like I have not had time for anything anymore. However I am still cooking and I recently got the bug to get a WSM. I have a choice between a 14 and an 18. They're used on offerup but the 18 is going for 200

https://offerup.com/item/detail/721394799/

https://offerup.com/item/detail/752064928/

and the 14 for 40 bucks. I think it would be too small but looks cool. My question is the 18 has been used 5 times looks to be in great shape is 200 reasonable? Do I need either of these? No (YES!) but why not if it's a good deal right? I think I came to the right place to be talked out of these. Hope all my old friends are doing well!

 

[gtr]

Wow! Long time! Like a really long time!

Anyway - you know the answer - get them both! I believe $200 is probably good for that 18, but not as good as when I found one in great condition on the curb down the street from me a couple months back! :whoo:

 

[Harmony BBQ]

Get the 18, you won't be sorry!

 

[...Dave]

i have all 3 and i use the 18 the most by far, use the 14 on occasion, and rarely use the 22 (mainly because its a charcoal hog).

 

[ulc]

$200 for 18 is too high IMO. It retails new for like $300 so I would think $100-$150 would be more reasonable price. You can get brand new Oklahoma Joe Bronco at select Walmarts for under $200 easily and some places as low as $100.

$40 for 14 is good deal. It's hard to even build Weber Smokey Joe "Mini" conversion for that price. I would skip the 18 and wait for better deal and buy the 14.

 

[LloydQ]

Offer $200 for both.

 

[sudsandswine]

Get the 18, you won't be sorry!

Well...you might be sorry you didn't get the 22", IMO. :heh:

A decent sized brisket or multiple slabs or ribs can be a challenge on an 18", but if you get a good deal on it, you can certainly make do.

 

[RemoGaggi]

I've had both and the 14" is really small and I couldn't recommend it even for $40. The 18" is a much better unit in every way.

 

[Smokey Al Gold]

I appreciate all the suggestions. The 22 is way too big for my needs I think and too costly at the moment but I like to do butts, ribs and briskets from time to time so i'm leaning more toward the 18. I can smoke great in the kettle but when we have a party or gathering i'm constantly scrambling to get food out quickly.

 

[shares]

If you got a good lead on an 18 and it's round, at a good discount, then snatch it up! There's a good reason they don't show up for sale too often.

 

[KB BBQ]

Offer $200 for both.

^^^ What he said! get 'em both ^^^

 

[70monte]

I had two 18" WSM's and sold both of them after buying a PBC. For me, the PBC works better.

I did make good food on them but it was just more work trying to get and keep the temps where I wanted them.

 

[Hoss]

I have a 14,18 and 22. 22 gets 90% usage.I only use 14 without the water pan inserted for chicken(like a dumb drum),18 has not been used in quite a while.It is O.K. for small cooks but I do not do many of those.I can pretty much cook anything on the 26 Kettle that the 18 wsm can do.Just me.

 

[Sid Post]

I've had both and the 14" is really small and I couldn't recommend it even for $40. The 18" is a much better unit in every way.

If your are cooking and smoking small, the 14 is hard to beat.

I can do more ham at one time then I can eat in two weeks. A pork butt works well on it too.

The 18 is nice when you need two hams for example because it doesn't restrict air flow as much.

My 18 was $120 and cooked in once or twice. The 14 was similar and a little cheaper. Both were really good purchasers for me. YMMV