WSM Question(s)

[LeeBo]

I have a '97 Bandera with all the mods. However, I'm thinking about a WSM (Weber Smokey Mountain). It's just my wife and I so the Bandera is a little overkill at times. Also, I would like to be able to leave the house for more than an hour during a smoke. I've read the WSM's can go 8 to 14 hours unattended, but I don't see mention of the amount of fuel loaded during the onset.

How much charcoal does a WSM use on average?

On an average non-winter day, how long does it really go unattended?

Also, do they burn sticks OK or do you have to use chunks?

Lastly, does the use of wood cause the charcoal to burn up faster?



Any other input is appreciated. Thanks in advance.

- LeeBo

 

[chad]

I have a '97 Bandera with all the mods. However, I'm thinking about a WSM (Weber Smokey Mountain). It's just my wife and I so the Bandera is a little overkill at times. Also, I would like to be able to leave the house for more than an hour during a smoke. I've read the WSM's can go 8 to 14 hours unattended, but I don't see mention of the amount of fuel loaded during the onset.

How much charcoal does a WSM use on average?

On an average non-winter day, how long does it really go unattended?

Also, do they burn sticks OK or do you have to use chunks?

Lastly, does the use of wood cause the charcoal to burn up faster?



Any other input is appreciated. Thanks in advance.

- LeeBo

I've never used more than 15# or so and that's probably to high an estimate.

The WSM can easily got 4 or more hours with nothing to do - once you have it dialed in. It still takes me about an hour or so to get it completley stabilized. I'm sure some of the guys can give you tips on how to do it quicker. I've easily gotten 6-8 hours with minimal attention - now that's with sand in the water pan or the Brinkmann charcoal pan replacement for more water capacity.

I use Kingsford with small oak and pecan chunks (hickory or whatever would be fine). I intersperce the wood in the charcoal ring and I light of my 15-20 briquettes along with a couple of pieces of wood about the size of chewing gum packs. This is my thing - some guys use large chunks - I've found I don't get the control with large (baseball or larger) chunks - the small pieces give me all the smoke I need.

So as an overview - I use Kingsford - usually a full ring but leave an opening in the center. I mix 5 or six chewing gum pack sized wood pieces in the charcoa. I light off 15 or so pieces of Kingsford with 2-3 small pieces of wood to start my fire - al a Minion method.

It takes me about an hour to get everything up to heat and stabilized after which I rarely have to do anything for the next 4 hours or so.

If you use water invest in a Brinkmann charcoal pan to replace the rather small Weber water pan, or go with sand for the heat sink.

These are just things that work for me - Your mileage may vary!

 

[jminion]

On average I use 10 to 12 pounds of fuel for long cooks but I can't see me not looking at the pit for 8 to 14 hours. Once the pit is stablized as David said you can pretty well expect good temps for hours but if the wind starts blowing heavy rains things can happen. On a hot night and day with no or little wind you can be safe for 7 hours normally. You may need to stir the coals a little to get temps up a little at the 6 to 7 hour mark.

There isn't enough exhaust for burning sticks but chunks workk well. I only use 3 or 4 chunks of wood and that should not effect the lenght of the burn.

 

[brdbbq]

Think I have a reason to bookmark this thread directly.

 

[Bill-Chicago]

I go a bit more to a 50/50 charcoal to wood mixture (chunKs)

Fill the ring about half way, then a 1/2 chimeny of charcoal and chunk lit on top

I also tossed out the WSM water pan after the first use. Piece o Crap. 1 gallon capacity

Order the Brinkman Charcoal Pan for $13 delivered. Like a 3.5 gal capacity, meaning, you don't have to add water for hours, if ever.

 

[tommykendall]

I don't know anything about them - ask Billinois. Many hours unattended. It's a machine, it's a dream.

 

[Jorge]

I don't know anything about them - ask Billinois. Many hours unattended. It's a machine, it's a dream.

I knew I could count on 'The Pit Bitch'! GBU TK!!!!

 

[Bill-Chicago]

I don't know anything about them - ask Billinois. Many hours unattended. It's a machine, it's a dream.

DF and JMinion have some great input here.

I use alot mor chunk hickory then most.

Result, some temp swings compared to others

What I do get: low temps (for a WSM) in the 230-250 range for hours, and plenty of smoke ring.

But my method is but one.

There are many ways to skin a cat. I recall last winter Buzz posted picks of 2 WSM's on the patio in hollowed 55gal drums with 2 feet of snow around them.

These things are VERY versatile

 

[Big_Jesse]

I've only used my WSM (or used any smoker) twice.

First time was in the wind and snow with 28* temp's. I used 20#'s of charcoal durring a 16-17 hour smoke.

Second time was on a calm day with 40* temp's. I used 14#'s of charcoal durring a 11-12 hour smoke.

HTH's


-Big Jesse

 

[LeeBo]

I used 20#'s of charcoal durring a 16-17 hour smoke.
I used 14#'s of charcoal durring a 11-12 hour smoke. -Big Jesse

Heck, last time I fired up my Bandera I used 20#'s for a 4 hour smoke. I have all the mods and a basket.

So.... for those of you that have both a WSM and a Bandera - which one do you use the most? Also, which one would most hate to give up?


- LeeBo

 

[Bill-Chicago]

I used 20#'s of charcoal durring a 16-17 hour smoke.
I used 14#'s of charcoal durring a 11-12 hour smoke. -Big Jesse

Heck, last time I fired up my Bandera I used 20#'s for a 4 hour smoke. I have all the mods and a basket.

So.... for those of you that have both a WSM and a Bandera - which one do you use the most? Also, which one would most hate to give up?


- LeeBo

Which use the most? WSM. I don't cook as much as some, so capacity and Winter dictate to use WSM.

But in summer, I use the Dera much more, and need its capacity for summer (never turn on the oven in the summer, so I cook a sheet load per week)

I would never give up EITHER

 

[The_Kapn]

I used 20#'s of charcoal durring a 16-17 hour smoke.
I used 14#'s of charcoal durring a 11-12 hour smoke. -Big Jesse

Heck, last time I fired up my Bandera I used 20#'s for a 4 hour smoke. I have all the mods and a basket.

So.... for those of you that have both a WSM and a Bandera - which one do you use the most? Also, which one would most hate to give up?


- LeeBo

Had the StudeDera for a year and the WSM for a month or so.
Small cooks (lazyQ) for wife and I (or competetion) are WSM.
Larger cooks for neighborhood (or competetion) are Dera.

Give up either?
They will pry my smoker (either of them) from my dying grasp :twisted:

Apples or Oranges question.

TIM