smoker jayson
Knows what a fatty is.
Just got the 22.5 smokey mountain for my birthday gift. Are there any tips or tricks or need to buy accessories that i need to know about ?
smokey mountain
- Thread starter smoker jayson
- Start date
Queencity
Knows what a fatty is.
Hi smoker jayson. I got the 18.5 wsm. I suggest cooking on it a few times and get to know how it works. Its very easy and efficient. Definately need a good probe thermometer. Dont trust the one on the lid. Foil the the water pan for easy cleanup if you dont use it. Put it away with all the vents opens open to help avoid mold. You're gonna really enjoy it!!
Right on Q
is Blowin Smoke!
Overall a great cooker for the money.
This was already mentioned but don't trust the temp on the lid. Use your own probe through the silicone grommet.
It runs very evenly top to bottom because it's a vertical smoker.
Try it with and without water in the pan and see which you like best. (I don't use any)
It runs great without a PID but it's basically foolproof with one.
Enjoy your new toy!!
This was already mentioned but don't trust the temp on the lid. Use your own probe through the silicone grommet.
It runs very evenly top to bottom because it's a vertical smoker.
Try it with and without water in the pan and see which you like best. (I don't use any)
It runs great without a PID but it's basically foolproof with one.
Enjoy your new toy!!
Joe Black
Babbling Farker
WSM is a very good smoker and very user friendly. Besides the digital therm probe, you might like to put handles on the sides of the center section to aid in removal and replacement for cleaning and loading with fuel. One other idea is to buy another coal grate and install at 90* from the other to keep small coals from falling through. Another way is to cut expanded metal to fill this job. Also, don't use Kingsford charcoal. The excess ash will clog the grate and cause the fire to smother. I used Royal Oak lump in mine. It burns hotter, cleaner and with much less ash.
Good luck and good smokin', Joe
Good luck and good smokin', Joe
yakdung
is Blowin Smoke!
If you are going to use the water pan, fill it with sand and cover with a couple layers of aluminum foil. Much easier clean up.
cheez59
Quintessential Chatty Farker
The only accessory I would highly recommend is the Unknown BBQ hinge. It is worth every penny that it costs.
Pocchampion
Full Fledged Farker
Practice practice practice. I cooked a few pork butts first and really coated the inside with BBQ goodness. Seals the WSM up nicely. It will not take long for you to get it dialed in.
Harbormaster
somebody shut me the fark up.
There aren't many "must do" mods for WSMs. They are pretty good right out of the box.I add handles to the center sections of mine and a second charcoal grate.
As mentioned above, foil the water pan whether you use water or not. Catch temps on the way up. Top vent wide open, control temp with bottom vents. Don't trust the factory thermo. Some smoke is going to leak around the door. Don't worry about it if your fire snuffs when you close all of the vents.
Enjoy the WSM. Great cooker.
As mentioned above, foil the water pan whether you use water or not. Catch temps on the way up. Top vent wide open, control temp with bottom vents. Don't trust the factory thermo. Some smoke is going to leak around the door. Don't worry about it if your fire snuffs when you close all of the vents.
Enjoy the WSM. Great cooker.
KevinJ
somebody shut me the fark up.
I have have an 18.5 and I added 3" casters to the legs so I can move it around when assembled, a Cajun Bandit Stainless Steel door with compression latch and Unknown BBQ lid hinge. I also permanently attached the charcoal ring to the charcoal grate and replaced the water pan with a clay saucer since I don't use water when I cook.
When starting the fire I use the Minion Method starting with about 20-25 coals in the chimney, leave all the vents open till I get within 15 degrees of my target temp, shut 2 of the bottom vents down and control the temp with the one open bottom vent. I also like to let it run at temp for about an hour before putting on the meat so I have a clean smoke.
When starting the fire I use the Minion Method starting with about 20-25 coals in the chimney, leave all the vents open till I get within 15 degrees of my target temp, shut 2 of the bottom vents down and control the temp with the one open bottom vent. I also like to let it run at temp for about an hour before putting on the meat so I have a clean smoke.
S.Six
Full Fledged Farker
I'll just second a lot of wahts been said. I have an 18.5"wsm and the 22.5"wsm, love'em both. My biggest problem with the 22.5"wsm was the door, I replaced it with the cajun Bandit ss door. I also replaced the handle with a compression latch. Try with water a few times and w/o water a few times. I run w/o now and haven't looked back. a good digital thermometer will help beyond words. As to the don't use kingsford guy I have to really disagree. I, and any others, use kingsford all the time with no problems. just clean out the ash b4 your cook. One of Webers ash shovels made for the wsm are worth the $13. Also if you don't already have one get a weber chimney. And enjoy! Also try cooking things like chicken pieces with the water pan removed.
el_matt
Babbling Farker
First thing to do, call Weber, and register your cooker. Then if you need parts later, they already know exactly what you have. Their customer service is second to none, registering makes it even better.
I'll second the Weber chimney. Don't waste your money, on a cheaper one, you'll buy, at least, 3-4 of those to every Weber chimney. Not only is it a better product, it's larger, and allows for more coals. I have both the standard and mini sizes. I use the mini, a lot more, than I planned on.
In case it hasn't been mentioned, the WSM will leak for the first few cooks. After it gets nice and seasoned, it'll leak less, and be easier to control temps.
Matt
I'll second the Weber chimney. Don't waste your money, on a cheaper one, you'll buy, at least, 3-4 of those to every Weber chimney. Not only is it a better product, it's larger, and allows for more coals. I have both the standard and mini sizes. I use the mini, a lot more, than I planned on.
In case it hasn't been mentioned, the WSM will leak for the first few cooks. After it gets nice and seasoned, it'll leak less, and be easier to control temps.
Matt
This about covers any questions you may have. Congratulations! :thumb:
smoker jayson
Knows what a fatty is.
Do you have a link?
el_matt
Babbling Farker
smoker jayson
Knows what a fatty is.
Thank ya sir
Rusty Kettle
Babbling Farker
http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?t=217262
I plan to add this to one of my 14.5" WSMs down the road but haven't tried it yet. Looks good if you want to use a water pan.
I plan to add this to one of my 14.5" WSMs down the road but haven't tried it yet. Looks good if you want to use a water pan.
SmokinMoney
Got Wood.
The Unknown bbq hinge and the Cajon Bandit Door are my list of must haves, Dont trust the lid thermometer and burning Kingsford Blue is fine.
krex1010
is Blowin Smoke!
I have the 18 and love it, lots of good advice here, only thing I'll add is that if you store it outdoors be sure to use the cover because even with the vents closed the bottom will fill up with water in a decent rain storm. I use kingsford blue often, never had issues with ash clogging my air intakes and I don't clean ash after every cook.
pcshrews
Full Fledged Farker
Congrats on the new cooker! I have had the same model for three years and agree with the other comments.
I would also checkout the link below on mods. It was helpful to me. I have since done the hinge, SS door and latch plus gaskets to stop leaks. To help get some sleep on overnight cooks, I use a part Q from bbq guru. It works fantastic! Bets of luck and enjoy!
http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?t=201917
I would also checkout the link below on mods. It was helpful to me. I have since done the hinge, SS door and latch plus gaskets to stop leaks. To help get some sleep on overnight cooks, I use a part Q from bbq guru. It works fantastic! Bets of luck and enjoy!
http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?t=201917
