New Ceramic vs WSM help

[bowhnter]

I want to be able to cook more often, like put something on before i go to church, while I am working (I work at home), etc w/out having to babysit constantly like I do the CharGriller.

My wife said, get what you want and need, but get it right...don't come back in 6 mos wanting another one :roll:

So, I can get the WSM now, or wait til the cookie jar is a little fuller and get a Green Egg or Grill Dome. (GD should have an ex lg next month)

Given the scenario of what I want it for, length of cook time w/out tending, use in the cold, rain, wind, versatility, etc....am I better off getting a WSM or Ceramic?? If ceramic, is large good enough, or do I need to go extra large? (I do need to be able to get a brisket or turkey on)

I will still keep the chargriller for any time I need to cook more meat at one time, or just want to use it....

What say you?

 

[WineMaster]

Given the scenario of what I want it for, length of cook time w/out tending, use in the cold, rain, wind, versatility, etc....am I better off getting a WSM or Ceramic?? If ceramic, is large good enough, or do I need to go extra large? (I do need to be able to get a brisket or turkey on)

Have you looked at the insulated cookers like Spicewine or Backwoods.
If you got the green light, Why would you not go for it and be done.
I missed that green light opportunity when the boss said I could get a big screen or any TV I wanted and all I picked out was a 36". Now an upgrade is impossible. Unless the 36 gets, Ill be right back.

 

[Jorge]

If you are willing to wait and spend the money I'd probably go with the egg. The WSM is great, but your requirements for cold, wet, windy cooking tip the scale a little towards the egg in my opinion.

Several members use them, and some of them are in very cold climates so you should get some good firsthand info from them.

 

[RichardF]

...get what you want and need, but get it right...don't come back in 6 mos wanting another one :roll:

What say you?

I wish someone had told me that before I got married...

 

[Harbormaster]

I don't own a ceramic or an insulated, but I do have 2 WSMs.
I will put it like this: If I had been given a blank check by the Secretary of Domestic Tranquility, I would probably have gotten a Backwoods or a Spicewine and been done with it.
As a single income family, I can't do that. I have been impressed as h*ll with the WSMs however. A couple of inexpensive mods here and there (thermometer, Piedmont Pan set-up, second charcoal grate) and I turn out great Q, and get long burns out of them.

 

[bowhnter]

but your requirements for cold, wet, windy cooking tip the scale a little towards the egg in my opinion.

I live in TX, so maybe shouldn't have put it quite that way...point is, if I wanna cook, I want to be able to w/out a little weather stopping me.:wink:

Edit, well now that I have just seen 2 posts on the spicewine and backwoods while you are giving me feedback about my dilema, I will go check these out.

 

[thirdeye]

One of these cookers has a proven track record, is very easy to use, has a loyal following, excellent forum support, does a splendid job in the backyard or in competition, can be used for smoking, barbecuing & baking, is very efficient with regards to long burn times, is compatible with a BBQ Guru for unattended cooks, and overall is an outstanding value.

The other one is green, has the same attributes, has more insulation due to the ceramic, performs without regard to weather conditions, and can be used for high temp grillimg. It is heavier by a long shot, more expensive (but still a good value) and must never be dropped.

 

[gstanle]

I don't own a ceramic or an insulated, but I do have 2 WSMs.
I will put it like this: If I had been given a blank check by the Secretary of Domestic Tranquility, I would probably have gotten a Backwoods or a Spicewine and been done with it.
As a single income family, I can't do that. I have been impressed as h*ll with the WSMs however. A couple of inexpensive mods here and there (thermometer, Piedmont Pan set-up, second charcoal grate) and I turn out great Q, and get long burns out of them.

I'm the proud owner of two brand new WSM's. I'm also a newbie when it comes to "Low & Slow". I have 2 questions: What is the Piedmont Pan set up? And why a second charcoal grate?

 

[Plowboy]

When I went through the same process about four months ago I settled on a pellet cooker. More expensive than WSM, but within range of a large BGE. It is truly set it and forget it. Compared to to a WSM or ceramic or any other cooker for that matter, you can argue about what puts out the better product, but you can't argue about ease of use. Hands down for ease of use, the Traeger pellet cookers are excellent.

My routine is to walk outside and turn the dial to my desired temp. Go back in to prep and get everything ready to cook. Less than 5 minutes later I'm up to cooking temp and the food is on. We OFTEN put food on before leaving for church. Come back 2 hours later and we have smoked chicken ready for lunch. I don't have to tend fires or monitor cooking temps. Add a remote thermometer with probe and you never have to go outside.

It isn't insulated, but I've cooked pizzas at 375-425 degrees at 26 degrees outside. I've cooked brisket overnight with temps in the teens.

You get more cooking space with the 075 than a BGE or WSM. Don't get me wrong, though, that the BGE and WSM are WONDERFUL grills/pits. For searing and super high temp cooks, BGE and WSM will out perform the pellet grills everytime. Again, for ease of use, I'll argue pellets with anyone.

EDIT: I cook an average of 3-4 days a week on my Traeger.

 

[Harbormaster]

G
Welcome to the WSM.
The "Piedmont Pan" is 2 Brinkmann charcoal pans that are spaced about a half in apart. They fit right where the WSM water pan would sit. It allows you to run the WSM without water in the pan, or with water and greater capacity. The gap between the 2 pans provides some insulation so your drippings don't burn in the foil lined top pan. For more info, go to the VirtualWeberBullet site.
The second charcoal grate (I use a grate from an 18.5" kettle) is mounted inverted and 90 degrees off the original grate. Helps prevent smaller pieces of lump from falling through.
PM or e-mail me if you want more tips.

 

[Grumpy's Q]

I can get 10 to 12 hours at a time on my WSM. Lazy Q i call it, fill it up with Kingsford and a few hickory and let her go. The only thing I might do is refill the water pan one time. bad weather Ill pull it on to the covered patio. Some use sand to get around the H2O thing. I'm thinking about a second one.

 

[thirdeye]

I can get 10 to 12 hours at a time on my WSM. Lazy Q i call it, fill it up with Kingsford and a few hickory and let her go. The only thing I might do is refill the water pan one time. bad weather Ill pull it on to the covered patio. Some use sand to get around the H2O thing. I'm thinking about a second one.

The Guru guys make that insulated fire suit cover for bullet smokers. It's $100 but I bet it works like a charm.

 

[bowhnter]

The Guru guys make that insulated fire suit cover for bullet smokers. It's $100 but I bet it works like a charm.

hmmm. good idea, anybody use it?
Thanks for the input , keep talkin, i'm willing to listen to all thoughts and ideas on what to do...:wink:

 

[Hiloboy]

i have both and they are both great cooker. but get the egg and you will never look back. i'm saving for my next one now..have been ever sents the first day i cooked on my egg. i haven't used every cooker out there. but to me this is the best cooker i have ever used. it dose lo&slo, baking, high heat grilling.just my 2 cents. and it will last you for years. no rust...

 

[Grumpy's Q]

The Guru guys make that insulated fire suit cover for bullet smokers. It's $100 but I bet it works like a charm.

That's pretty neet, never seen one of those.

 

[SteerCrazy]

I know the ceramics, (bge, primo) is going to be great for extreme weather but being in texas how cold does it get around there?? There is a guy I know in Colorado who has a BGE and loves it but always complains about cook space.
I would say for the price and your weather conditions I'd get a WSM.
Right now amazon has em about $50 off......

 

[JohnMcD348]

You can go with the Lrg BGE and be done with it. You may have to trim the brisket a little from time to time but for the ability to cook in pretty much al weather with the elast amount of fuss, go Ceramic. I've got a WSM and I know people who swear by BGE and I can say that it's the best as long as you're not looking to cook for a huge group. If that's the case, look into one of the larger insulated box cookers like the other brethren have mentioned.

 

[bowhnter]

This was told to me...ceramic owners.....is it a true statement?

"The L-BGE is not a set and forget or walk away cooker,it will go up in tempearature in the first 2 hours,then after that the holes in the firebox clog up with ash and will start going down in temperature"

Edit: Could not justify the high price tag and waiting. Can get a WSM, Guru, and blanket listed above...twice.
So printed out a web price, went to BBQ Galore, and got it.

Thanks, for the help.