18.5 WSM VS Davy Crockett/Pitboss ~$300 - Page 2

mrp116 · 12-16-2018, 09:54 PM

I have found the perfect combination for me is an 18.5" WSM, pellet grill, and a Weber kettle. WSM gets butt duty and sometimes ribs (pellet grill is so easy that now they're usually on there), pellet cooker gets the most work, and the Performer gets steaks and anything that I want a bit of char/sear on (i.e. jerk chicken thighs). Brisket is usually split between the WSM and the pellet grill. It all depends on how easy I want the set up to be which is usually related to how much I have had to drink. If I had to pick between the WSM and pellet grill to be used exclusively for "smoking", I would choose the WSM without hesitation.

SideSt3p · 12-16-2018, 10:12 PM

I have a Kettle and a WSM. Love em both, because they work well and are easy to use! That being said, I'm looking for a pellet cooker just because I think they're neat (I'm a giant nerd) and I want a truly set it and forget it option.

IMO you won't go wrong with both. They're both fun for different reasons :)

Nuco59 · 12-17-2018, 06:26 AM

Poor old UDS doesn't seem to get much love anymore.

So- I'm just gonna say it

Build a UDS.

kynmo2010 · 12-17-2018, 06:50 AM

My first smoker was an 18.5" WSM. I've had it for over 10 years and it still works great. However, it doesn't get used as much now. I built a UDS 4 years ago and bought a 26" Weber Kettle 3 years ago. These 2 became my go to smoker/grills. The WSM and UDS cook very similarly. Neither require too much attention, but the UDS provides much more space for larger cooks and doesn't really use much more fuel. If I could only have 1, I would choose the 26" Kettle. Very versatile for grilling or smoking. Have had good results using the snake method. I even had a 22" grate that I added carriage bolts to, so it can sit on top of the 26" grate. Nearly double the capacity for smoking smaller items such as wings or country style ribs.

qnbiker · 12-17-2018, 09:22 AM

I get good smoke flavor from my Performer (kettle) and my WSM. Try the snake method and hickory chunks (not chips) in your kettle next time. As for the choice between WSM and pellet pooper, I have both. The pooper is new and I am really enjoying it, but if I had to choose, I would choose the WSM. The combination of gasser, kettle, and WSM has served me well over the years. YMMV.

Piggysquealers · 12-17-2018, 11:55 AM

Get the WSM. I had the 22 also at one point but it didn't run as good as the 18.5. If you want to make it even easier later you can add a guru. It seems like it's not if it's when you will have an issue with a pellet cooker

Smokie185 · 12-17-2018, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmokyDick

I'm having a hell of a time deciding between these things.

Pellet grills having moving parts and being powered always makes me worried; A WSM should last virtually forever.

What do you think? I have a cheap offset and a 22in kettle. Offset is a pita to deal with and i'm having issues with smoke flavor/space with the kettle.

I'm thinking the WSM may be the way to go, any DC/Pitboss classic/700fb and WSM owners want to chime in with any issues they had?

Thanks for any info!

I have a WSM, a kettle and I recently bought a GMG DC while they were on sale. My first cook on the DC was a rib eye roast that turned out very well. Everyone loved the bark and all I did was rub it down with Q-Salt the night before. Since then I have done a fatty and some chicken with good results. Each time I used Lumberjack pellets.

I really like the DC for the convenience and performance. I plan on using it quite a bit for small quick cooks. For larger cooks, I will use one of the other cookers.

One thing I have noticed is that the DC seems to have a little trouble with cold temps. A blanket over the top would probably take care of that.

As you probably know, the DC is WiFi enabled and to tell the truth it is really handy to be able to monitor pit temp and food temp on my tablet.

Whitewookie · 12-18-2018, 08:45 AM

I’ve got a WSM 18.5 and a Performer. Between these two I cans do just about anything I need, but keep in mind I rarely cook for more that 6-8 people.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

70monte · 12-18-2018, 09:06 AM

I first started smoking on a 18" WSM and did put out some good food on it but I felt it was limited on size and towards the end of my use of it, I was having temp control issues and not sure why. I got a PBC after that and like it hands down better than the WSM. I no longer have a WSM and still have the PBC.

I don't have a pellet grill so I can't help you there but the concerns you have about them is one of the reasons I don't own one and am not interested in one at this time.

Good luck on whatever you decide.

bgross88 · 12-18-2018, 09:16 AM

I have 3 webers; 22 kettle, gasser, 22.5. I can pretty much do anything I want with them. Granted, I'm not cooking comps, but they crank out some great food. I love the 22.5....I can do--at least--4 Butts, multiple racks etc,--at one time.

Personally, I've never had temp issues with it. Mine loves to settle in around 250-260 and I let it ride. Been through several overnight cooks.

SmokyDick · 12-18-2018, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smokie185

I have a WSM, a kettle and I recently bought a GMG DC while they were on sale. My first cook on the DC was a rib eye roast that turned out very well. Everyone loved the bark and all I did was rub it down with Q-Salt the night before. Since then I have done a fatty and some chicken with good results. Each time I used Lumberjack pellets.

I really like the DC for the convenience and performance. I plan on using it quite a bit for small quick cooks. For larger cooks, I will use one of the other cookers.

One thing I have noticed is that the DC seems to have a little trouble with cold temps. A blanket over the top would probably take care of that.

As you probably know, the DC is WiFi enabled and to tell the truth it is really handy to be able to monitor pit temp and food temp on my tablet.

I'd love the convenience of a pellet grill, but the second I need it and it doesn't fire up due to some hardware fault - that all goes out the window.

If I can get the flavor I want out of my 22in kettle, maybe i'll look at the 26 just for space and versatility.

G'Daddy · 12-18-2018, 06:19 PM

Just like what was mentioned in an earlier post, place more chunks/chips at the beginning and middle of the cook to get a deeper smokey flavor.

Smoking Cajun · 12-18-2018, 07:32 PM

Don't let them talk you out of a pellet smoker...I really like cooking with pellets!

12-16-2018, 09:54 PM	#16
mrp116 Knows what a fatty is. Join Date: 01-17-07 Location: Locust Grove, VA	I have found the perfect combination for me is an 18.5" WSM, pellet grill, and a Weber kettle. WSM gets butt duty and sometimes ribs (pellet grill is so easy that now they're usually on there), pellet cooker gets the most work, and the Performer gets steaks and anything that I want a bit of char/sear on (i.e. jerk chicken thighs). Brisket is usually split between the WSM and the pellet grill. It all depends on how easy I want the set up to be which is usually related to how much I have had to drink. If I had to pick between the WSM and pellet grill to be used exclusively for "smoking", I would choose the WSM without hesitation. Last edited by mrp116; 12-16-2018 at 09:59 PM..

12-17-2018, 06:26 AM	#18
Nuco59 Babbling Farker Join Date: 08-18-13 Location: Texas	Poor old UDS doesn't seem to get much love anymore. So- I'm just gonna say it Build a UDS. __________________ I started out with nothing and I got most of it left.

12-17-2018, 09:22 AM	#20
qnbiker is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 05-05-10 Location: Marietta, GA Name/Nickname : Lew	I get good smoke flavor from my Performer (kettle) and my WSM. Try the snake method and hickory chunks (not chips) in your kettle next time. As for the choice between WSM and pellet pooper, I have both. The pooper is new and I am really enjoying it, but if I had to choose, I would choose the WSM. The combination of gasser, kettle, and WSM has served me well over the years. YMMV. __________________ A bunch of Webers, Smoke EZ, GMG Daniel Boone, and a WHITE Thermapen MK4

12-17-2018, 11:55 AM	#21
Piggysquealers Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 04-17-14 Location: Omaha Nebraska	Get the WSM. I had the 22 also at one point but it didn't run as good as the 18.5. If you want to make it even easier later you can add a guru. It seems like it's not if it's when you will have an issue with a pellet cooker __________________ Bubba grills 250r - Stumps Stretch - Horizon 16" offset -18" WSM - UUNI 3 pizza oven

12-18-2018, 08:45 AM	#23
Whitewookie is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 10-24-13 Location: Valdosta, GA	I’ve got a WSM 18.5 and a Performer. Between these two I cans do just about anything I need, but keep in mind I rarely cook for more that 6-8 people. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro __________________ Si vis pacem, para bellum.

12-16-2018, 10:12 PM	#17
SideSt3p Got Wood. Join Date: 06-14-16 Location: WA State Name/Nickname : Andrew	I have a Kettle and a WSM. Love em both, because they work well and are easy to use! That being said, I'm looking for a pellet cooker just because I think they're neat (I'm a giant nerd) and I want a truly set it and forget it option. IMO you won't go wrong with both. They're both fun for different reasons :)

12-17-2018, 06:50 AM	#19
kynmo2010 On the road to being a farker Join Date: 07-27-13 Location: Hannibal, MO	My first smoker was an 18.5" WSM. I've had it for over 10 years and it still works great. However, it doesn't get used as much now. I built a UDS 4 years ago and bought a 26" Weber Kettle 3 years ago. These 2 became my go to smoker/grills. The WSM and UDS cook very similarly. Neither require too much attention, but the UDS provides much more space for larger cooks and doesn't really use much more fuel. If I could only have 1, I would choose the 26" Kettle. Very versatile for grilling or smoking. Have had good results using the snake method. I even had a 22" grate that I added carriage bolts to, so it can sit on top of the 26" grate. Nearly double the capacity for smoking smaller items such as wings or country style ribs.

12-18-2018, 09:06 AM	#24
70monte is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 04-29-17 Location: Aurora, Mo	I first started smoking on a 18" WSM and did put out some good food on it but I felt it was limited on size and towards the end of my use of it, I was having temp control issues and not sure why. I got a PBC after that and like it hands down better than the WSM. I no longer have a WSM and still have the PBC. I don't have a pellet grill so I can't help you there but the concerns you have about them is one of the reasons I don't own one and am not interested in one at this time. Good luck on whatever you decide. __________________ Good One Marshall, Open Range, HB 357 Pro, HB Legacy, M1, Weber Performer, PBC & PBJ. PK360.

12-18-2018, 09:16 AM	#25
bgross88 Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 02-23-10 Location: Southeast of Disorder Name/Nickname : B	I have 3 webers; 22 kettle, gasser, 22.5. I can pretty much do anything I want with them. Granted, I'm not cooking comps, but they crank out some great food. I love the 22.5....I can do--at least--4 Butts, multiple racks etc,--at one time. Personally, I've never had temp issues with it. Mine loves to settle in around 250-260 and I let it ride. Been through several overnight cooks. __________________ WSM 22.5, 22 Weber Kettle,Weber Genesis

12-18-2018, 06:19 PM	#27
G'Daddy Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 03-22-16 Location: San Diego, CA	Just like what was mentioned in an earlier post, place more chunks/chips at the beginning and middle of the cook to get a deeper smokey flavor. __________________ Proud owner of a LSG 24X36 Offset pipe smoker

12-18-2018, 07:32 PM	#28
Smoking Cajun Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 07-04-18 Location: Richmond, Tx Name/Nickname : Brent	Don't let them talk you out of a pellet smoker...I really like cooking with pellets! __________________ Delta Heat 32" gas grill, Yoder YS640