WSM 14.5 PartyQ questions

I dry smoke and use a DigiQ temp controller. 

If you're going to smoke it at 225F, don't add more than a quarter chimney of hot charcoal to the cold or you'll over shoot 225F.  Since it is the 14.5", probably even less.  In fact, I just bought one of the small Weber chimneys.  When it is full, it is about a quarter of the large one so it gives me even more control.  Still, let the charcoal ash over completely. 

You can pretty much load the cold charcoal and wood, add the hot charcoal to the middle of the pile, leave all your bottom vents closed, top one full open, turn on the temp controller, and walk away for an hour to let the smoke settle.  Even if it overshoots to 250-275F, having all the vents closed it will come back down.    
 

Once you load the meat, leave the lid on, no peeking, no spritzing, and let the butt settle in for a nice nap.  Each time you remove the lid you stoke the fire with a fresh supply of O2. 

Post pics! 

Have fun with the smoke!

Ray

My 14.5 is stock. No sealing. I run a dry pit.

I use the side light method and can get the 14 to settle in anywhere from 225-350+ without a tender.

Your worst enemy with a WSM is wind and over shooting your pit temp too much.

sandyut said:

 
thanks for the feedback!  very helpful.  I think I will pick up a small chimney.  with the 14" WSM trying to minion with the smaller chimney shoudl be easier...and its a small investment.

What is the sidelight method?  I heard of this on another thread as well.

thanks!

Click to expand...

Looks like Case it busy.  I believe the sidelight method is setting up your charcoal basket with cold charcoal and wood, then insert a lit propane torch in one of the bottom vents to ignite the charcoal nearest the vent.  Once lit, it will work its way through the basket, preheating the charcoal and wood as it goes.  The result is no white smoke, just TBS about from the start. 

sandyut said:

 
thanks for the feedback!  very helpful.  I think I will pick up a small chimney.  with the 14" WSM trying to minion with the smaller chimney shoudl be easier...and its a small investment.

What is the sidelight method?  I heard of this on another thread as well.

thanks!

Click to expand...

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/257071/side-light-method-for-charcoal-smokers#post_1719177

Not only do you not get white smoke, you also get the use of all your fuel. When you use a chimney to start your fuel it is out side the pit. You loose all the energy (heat) out into the open air. You are also burning down your fuel.

The side light method keeps all the heat in the pit and all of your fuel goes to heating the pit.