Pro's and Con's of the smaller WSM options?

Sid Post · Dec 2, 2017

I see a lot of references to the Weber Smokey Joe converted smokers which got me to thinking about the 14" WSM and the 18" model for that matter. I don't want to give up my Smokey Joe so, I guess I could always buy a second one and convert it instead of spending ~$200 on a new Weber.

For small cooks, assuming you have the original 22" WSM, does it make much sense to buy a 14" or 18" model? How much does the 14" model hold versus the 18" and 22" for comparisons?

My friend's son really likes smoked meat so, I was wondering if a 14" WSM would make sense for him too. For myself, smoking a single ham, shoulder, roast, brisket, etc. seems to make a lot more sense than smoking more than I could possibly eat in a weak too. The 14" Weber also looks like it would be super easy for a college kid to move around too. For myself, it still probably makes the most sense to get a small electric smoker or small insulated cabinet smoker but, at $200 one could almost 'impulse' buy the 14" WSM without regrets. It seems though, in my case that puts me $200 further away from an insulated cabinet smoker ... decisions, decisions ....

pjtexas1 · Dec 2, 2017

I'd buy another Joe and tamale pot. With 2 racks the little 14 can fit a lot. I used mine for years for the 4 of us with only 1 rack.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

Ag76 · Dec 2, 2017

I don't have a 14" or a mini, so I can't speak to those.

I do have an 18" and a 22". I use the 18" a lot, and the 22" rarely. I really like the 18, and it is relatively portable. If I could only have one, the 18" would be it. If you are going to cook for a lot of people regularly, and if portability is not important, the 22" would probably be better.

homesmoke · Dec 2, 2017

Sid, you don't have to buy a second Smokey Joe, or make any alterations to your original, to add the tamale pot center section. The tamale pot just stacks on the bottom half, and your lid sits on the top of the pot. Super simple.

Would be great for a college kid. Small footprint, economical, portable, and be able to have both a charcoal grill and a smoker.

I can fit 2 butts, or do ribs, chuckles, fatties, ABT's, chicken, etc. Not replacing larger cookers by any means, but often for just the two of us it is perfect.

Portable for camping, on our toon, or great to carry to family events where just being outside cooking will normally gather all the guys together. Have even after cooking, used just the bottom half as a small patio fire pit, sitting around smoking cigars at a cousins house. Small gets the nod often, as it is fuel efficient, and cooks just as well.

Not trying to talk you out of a new WSM 14", but for your friend's son, that size will get a young man a lot of experience. And a tamale pot at under $30.00 won't prevent you from getting that cabinet smoker as well.

pjtexas1 · Dec 2, 2017

I think the op wants to keep the SJ for himself and build a mini for his son.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

Sid Post · Dec 2, 2017

pjtexas1 said:
I think the op wants to keep the SJ for himself and build a mini for his son.

Yep! I'm a little stingy with my Smokey Joe and won't be giving it away as I like it a lot. I also have many really good memories using it on the road for work.

My friend's son has recently discovered the joys or real BBQ, that isn't the karo corn syrup and tomato sauce kind from a fast food joint or normal restaurant. I want to be an enabler and feed his BBQ addiction! After all, this will be much better than frat parties and other college age distractions!

Sounds like I need to go to the Mexican market and see what they have to offer for tamale pots.

homesmoke · Dec 2, 2017

Sorry for not speaking Texas enough to have properly understood.:doh:
About an hour of sleep last night. Up with a sick pup.

This tamale pot fits the Smokey Joe perfectly. Got it at Albertson's, as not many Mexican markets here for selection. Wish we had a Fiesta or something similar.

Hinds15 · Dec 2, 2017

I love my little mini wsm. I went a little farther and cut the bottom out of a jumbo joe to put on top for more grate space.

Sid Post · Dec 2, 2017

homesmoke said:
:
About an hour of sleep last night. Up with a sick pup.

I hope the little guy is doing better today.

Sid Post · Dec 2, 2017

Hinds15 said:
I love my little mini wsm. I went a little farther and cut the bottom out of a jumbo joe to put on top for more grate space.

That sounds picture worthy! :wink:

robert-r · Dec 2, 2017

I have 18.5 & 14.5 WSMs. If I could only have one, it would be the 18.5 because of it's capacity. However, I use the 14.5 at least 95% of the time.

Hinds15 · Dec 2, 2017

Sid Post said:
That sounds picture worthy! :wink:

No problems with that lol

Sid Post · Dec 2, 2017

That's really cool! I might have to try that myself sometime.

pjtexas1 · Dec 2, 2017

I wonder if anyone has tried 2 tamale pots?

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

Hinds15 · Dec 2, 2017

It's working great so far. Got the idea from user swamprb
Have to copy and paste the link

http://s163.photobucket.com/user/swamprb/library/Ugly Drum Smoker/CajunBandit?sort=3&page=1

Sid Post · Dec 2, 2017

pjtexas1 said:
I wonder if anyone has tried 2 tamale pots?

I suspect getting them to 'nest' properly would be the biggest challenge. It might be easier to take sheet aluminum and roll it to the correct diameter.

However, at that stage, you are probably getting close to the cost of a 14" WSM that is ready to go.

With a Mini-WSM running ~$100 unless you have a lot of 'found parts', adding a second Tamale pot and some additional random parts gets you probably to ~75% of the cost of 14" WSM at full retail pricing.

If could craigslist a small WSM, I'd be all over that option first though, a mini-WSM/Smokey Joe is an attractive option for camping, tailgates, etc.

Hinds15 · Dec 2, 2017

There's a 14 wsm on letgo for 70$ looks in great condition. It's outside of Austin I think but not sure how far that is from you.

70monte · Dec 3, 2017

The 18" WSM was my first smoker and I made some good food on it. I then got the 14" as a gift and only used it once. I then went on to bigger smokers and quit using the WSM's. I sold both of them this year. If I was going to have one WSM, it would be the 18" one. It holds a decent amount of food and can go for hours on one load of charcoal.

Rusty Kettle · Dec 3, 2017

The 14.5" wsm is a great smoker. It can go longer if you use lump charcoal. Briquettes about 8 hours. Lump over 12 hours easily. Less ash so refueling is no problem with lump. Briquettes make to much ash and refueling is much more difficult.

Sid Post · Dec 3, 2017

Rusty Kettle said:
The 14.5" wsm is a great smoker. It can go longer if you use lump charcoal. Briquettes about 8 hours. Lump over 12 hours easily. Less ash so refueling is no problem with lump. Briquettes make to much ash and refueling is much more difficult.

Thanks for the tips on ASH management. I have read about different techniques to avoid smothering the fire with ASH. If I get a 14" WSM, sounds like it might be a good candidate for lump when I need a longer cook.

Pro's and Con's of the smaller WSM options?

is Blowin Smoke!

somebody shut me the fark up.

is Blowin Smoke!

Full Fledged Farker

somebody shut me the fark up.

is Blowin Smoke!

Full Fledged Farker

Full Fledged Farker

is Blowin Smoke!

is Blowin Smoke!

is Blowin Smoke!

Full Fledged Farker

is Blowin Smoke!

somebody shut me the fark up.

Full Fledged Farker

is Blowin Smoke!

Full Fledged Farker

is Blowin Smoke!

Babbling Farker

is Blowin Smoke!

Similar threads