a little help from the pro's picking my NEW smoker

[realtorterry]

Hi Guy's,

After my wife & I attending out first contest this weekend she's become more excited than me. We've deciced to get a better smoker. Of course money is an issue. I would like to stay under $300. I noticed at the competion there were alot of WSM's? They look like a pain as far as trying to get to the meat under the top rack & a major loss of heat, but I hear they hold heat for along time, benefit! I notice alot of you guy's have snp's, & there's alot of good mods! How long do they hold heat? would I have to attend tothem constantly? Of course there's the chargriller too? I thinking one of these three. Any help from those that have would be appreciated. You guy's are way better than the websites & salesmen!!

 

[chisoxjim]

WSM for sure,

charcoal = flavor

as for getting to the meat on the bottom, take your time and do what you need to do, its not a big issue as the WSM comes back up to temp about 30 seconds after you get the lid back on.

Right now in the winter I can get 9-10 hours @ 230 degrees off one load of lump. Betting longer in the summer months.


I had a chargriller offset, gave it away, and a GOSM gasser, sold it. I am all Weber now.
good luck with your purchase.

 

[realtorterry]

Thanks chis.

What size wsm do you have? I noticed some are huge & tall

 

[chisoxjim]

currently the 18.5"

saving up for a 22"

18.5" would be in your price range for sure. 22" would be tough for under $300(I can get them locally for a little over $300.

 

[shooter1]

I have to agree on the WSM, I have the 18.5 and I love it but I am a Weber guy all the way. The 18.5 for me is big enough and doesn't take a lot of space on my deck next to my Genesis and 18.5 kettle.

I usually do my cooks so that I don't have to mess with the lower grate to much. I load anything that has to be tended regularly on the top grate. The WSM recovers quickly if you do have to get to the meat on the bottom though. Best thing to do is plan ahead so that you have a place for evrything to be set on when its hot and some good Que mitts and just do what you gotta do as fast as possible. I try not to open it up more than absolutely necessary. Good luck with your purchase!

 

[3montes]

Nothing wrong with a wsm after listening to Jim I am eyeing one as a second smoker. I think they are a much more set up and go unit. That being once you are set up and all the meat is in etc. there is not much tending after that. I use to have a Brinkmann 7 in 1 cooker which is similar and that is what I remember most about it.

I currently have a modified snp and love it and will never be without it. I may get other smokers along the way but the snp will always be in my arsenal and one of the most used. I burn mostly red oak splits in my snp. To me there is nothing like a stick burner to get that true bbq smoke flavor. It takes much more attention to run it but I enjoy the poking and fiddling with the fire. It's part of the experience.
The snp can be had in your price range and the mods for them are well documented on this site. And most can be done rather cheaply.
I smoke in my snp all winter now. I tackled a brisket awhile ago and the temp outside was 0 degrees. Holding temp in the snp is not a problem with the mods. But that is also an advantage of burning oak splits over most charcoal, hot and long burning.

I think the same thing can be said for the Chargriller with the sfb as can be said about the snp as they are very similar units.
whatever you decide to do you will be happy with anyone of those 3 and there is plenty help and advice on this board for you to hit the ground running.
Let us know what you decide!

 

[chisoxjim]

good write up and info,

wood or charcoal & wood are the only way to go imho.

 

[reichl]

Love my 18.5" WSM.

Holds temps real well
Uses small amount of charcoal
Food is great
Minimum amount of tending
Ready to go right out of the box

 

[triplebq]

My advice would be to check your local Craig's List . The WSM is a good charcoal cooker for sure . The modified ECB is a great cooker too . Our founder has story on how to modify for best results .

 

[realtorterry]

Thanks guy's your really helping in my decisions.

3 montes, when you did your brisket did you have to give the smoker alot of attention smoking that long?

I live in Arizona so my only problem is wind in the winter & staying under 110 in the summer?

 

[smokin jack]

I do not own a wsm, but have heard nothing but good things and am looking to get one msyelf by summer.

I do own a char broil silver smoker, no mods. I have been quite happy with mine. The only thing that has been pretty consistent is the temp. difference on grate is 25 degrees hotter than the thermo that comes with the grill which is a good 8 or so inches away from the grate. This temp. difference has been very consistent since I have had it over the past three years. As for holding heat it does the job. I use the minion method with my charcoal and I sometimes have to add a few more pieces of charcoal during my smoke, but all in all it holds well. It is not insulated so for me I clean it real good after each use and put it in my shed when not in use to prevent any rusting or weathering. All in all I am happy with it and I prefer the off set firebox over the veritical smokers, but like I said, I do want to get me a wsm and experiment over the summer.

 

[hdsmoke]

You could build a UDS for cheap...

Whats the big differences between the WSM and UDS? Both seem to be the same concept.

 

[rp ribking]

Since Santa brought my 22" WSM, all my other smokers are for sale: Outlaw, Silver smoker and a ELB.

 

[chisoxjim]

lol...

thats what happened to me. seems to be common.

 

[realtorterry]

Thanks guys. I think I'm going to go with the WSM. It seems to need the least attention other than an electric?

 

[3montes]

I think you are making a good
choice Terry. For a out of the box fire it up and go smoker
I think you are going to really like it. The snp you will definetly need to tweak it a bit to really get it humming along. Keep us posted when you score that wsm!! Keep a stick burner in mind for your next smoker!

 

[deltadude]

I don't own a WSM, but would not hesitate to buy one especially the 22".

I think you will be very happy with your choice. What one commenter said about SFB units and stick burning is true, and if you are interested in competition, a WSM will get you started even for comps. Many competitions are won by cooks using WSMs. However pure wood burning is the essence of smoking meats. You should most likely be willing to spend more for a quality SFB to get the desired performance. You are sort of a long ways from major cities. Consider checking Las Vegas and Phoenix for big BBQ shows, and you can get a deal on a quality SFB there.