Help me decide

  • Some of the links on this forum allow SMF, at no cost to you, to earn a small commission when you click through and make a purchase. Let me know if you have any questions about this.
SMF is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

lethal12

Newbie
Original poster
Jan 11, 2012
9
10
Lincoln, NE
I have a MES 30 and Brinkman Sportsman Charcoal smoker, but I am looking for a new smoker.  Preferably I would like a new charcoal smoker, cause the Brinkman was freebee I got from a friend and it is old.  But I am open to suggestions, looking to spend around $400.

Weber Smokey Mountian Smoker 18.5-  Heard nothing but good things

MES 40, love my MES 30.

Any other suggestions???
 
If you want charcoal I'd say WSM personally
 
Lethal, The WSM is easy to maintain and produces excellent food and sides as well. If you choose to go this route, then get the 22.5" rather than the 18.5". Trust me!!!!  
 
everyone has said to get the 22.5 WSM, but my smokes are usually smaller in nature.  But I heard they are charcoal hogs.  I think am I am going with WSM but not for sure on the 18 or the 22.5.
 
For whatever it's worth I just picked up the 22.5 WSM today. Setup was a breeze. I haven't had a chance to fire it up yet but as far as them being charcoal hogs, I read that as well during my research, but from what it sounds like it's the fact that it's so much larger than the 18.5 that it uses more charcoal, not that it's flawed in any way. Basically think of Weber's regular kettles, the 18.5 version of that takes less charcoal and gets to 300 quicker, than the 22.5 kettle does. 

Anyway, whichever you choose you'll be happy with I guarantee. I really wanted a lang but this'll do for the next couple years till I can drop that kind of cash on what amounts to a toy. At least in the wife's eyes. 
wife.gif
 
Lethal, The WSM is easy to maintain and produces excellent food and sides as well. If you choose to go this route, then get the 22.5" rather than the 18.5". Trust me!!!!  
Any particular reasons?  I was eying the 18.5 myself.  I don't think I'd ever be cooking for more than a dozen people max and probably half that more often.  The 22.5 would be nice but I'm thinking it's overkill for me.
 
everyone has said to get the 22.5 WSM, but my smokes are usually smaller in nature.  But I heard they are charcoal hogs.  I think am I am going with WSM but not for sure on the 18 or the 22.5.
I was in the same situation and I went with a 18.5", but decided to add the Pro-Q stacker that gives me an extra cooking section so now I have MORE room then the 22.5. 

Since 90% of my smokes are small and at home I save a ton of money in the long run because I simply remove my Pro-Q and put it in the garage when I don't need it. 

I've done up to 6 10lb butts at once and even 18 slabs of ribs at once in 18.5 with the stacker and it only cost around $60 more so it's still less than the 22.5 not to mention it's a lot more portable as well.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/PRO-Q-BBQ-PROQ-WSM-STACKER-WEBER-SMOKEY-MOUNTAIN-NEW-BOX-/320835277444

6ef4b6cf_KGrHqNpcE8WsBfnqBBPIJpHR3w60_35.jpg
 
I was in the same situation and I went with a 18.5", but decided to add the Pro-Q stacker that gives me an extra cooking section so now I have MORE room then the 22.5. 

Since 90% of my smokes are small and at home I save a ton of money in the long run because I simply remove my Pro-Q and put it in the garage when I don't need it. 

I've done up to 6 10lb butts at once and even 18 slabs of ribs at once in 18.5 with the stacker and it only cost around $60 more so it's still less than the 22.5 not to mention it's a lot more portable as well.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/PRO-Q-BBQ-PROQ-WSM-STACKER-WEBER-SMOKEY-MOUNTAIN-NEW-BOX-/320835277444

6ef4b6cf_KGrHqNpcE8WsBfnqBBPIJpHR3w60_35.jpg
Looks like a great solution - best of both worlds
 
I was in the same situation and I went with a 18.5", but decided to add the Pro-Q stacker that gives me an extra cooking section so now I have MORE room then the 22.5. 

Since 90% of my smokes are small and at home I save a ton of money in the long run because I simply remove my Pro-Q and put it in the garage when I don't need it. 

I've done up to 6 10lb butts at once and even 18 slabs of ribs at once in 18.5 with the stacker and it only cost around $60 more so it's still less than the 22.5 not to mention it's a lot more portable as well.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/PRO-Q-BBQ-PROQ-WSM-STACKER-WEBER-SMOKEY-MOUNTAIN-NEW-BOX-/320835277444

6ef4b6cf_KGrHqNpcE8WsBfnqBBPIJpHR3w60_35.jpg
This is really cool, my only concern would be stability. How much height does it add and does it make the entire smoker top heavy at all? I'm thinking a gust of wind or tipsy guest and that sucker is making a mess everywhere. Neat idea though. BTW, how does the quality compare to the weber? 
 
I would say the height is about 12-16" in size.  The entire setup is going to be pretty heavy especially with food on the grate so don't worry about wind knocking it over it's a NON issue.  As far as quality I think the grates are better and the fit is a lot tighter which I like.  Some have said they fit "too tight" and make it hard to pull the lid off, but I never had a problem with mine.  Just a quick jerk to break the seal and the lid pops right off.  I rather lean on the side of being too tight and giving me a great seal instead of loose and have leaks.

I got mine here.

http://www.stifflerssurplus.com/p-5...ker-for-weber-smokey-mountain-new-in-box.aspx

I think shipping was $20.  To my door it was around $50.
 
If you don't go with the stacker route - which actually looks pretty cool - I'd get the 22.5".  ALWAYS get the biggest you can get.  You never know when you'll need the capacity.
 
With that buget you can go many ways uds . I just found a kit at big popa smokers. Or a big babby 2 barrel wood burner or a smoke house built out of wood.:biggrin:
 
SmokingMeatForums.com is reader supported and as an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases.

Latest posts

Hot Threads

Clicky