Advice on Charcoal Smoker

[MileHiGuy]

Hi there,

I live in Denver and have and MES that doesn't always come on when its cold. I've tried a few different things to get it to work but it's not.

I've been thinking about buying a charcoal smoker and have a particular model in mind. For multiple reasons, I'm thinking about a 22" WSM.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks from the Mile High City.

 

[fivetricks]

Not sure how handy you are or want to be, but have you ever considered building a UDS? Larger size, similar performance, highly customizable and quite pocketbook friendly :-)

 

[MileHiGuy]

Hi Five,

Thanks for the input. I have not considered a UDS but will certainly look into it. I definitely want a charcoal smoker and the reason I thought about the WSM was because I have a Weber Performer charcoal grill that I have become very good with (not that that's hard) and I have a rotisserie that I recently started using with it that works great.

I would like something that's got plenty of capacity and I would also like to be able to move it if needed. I would like to keep the cost under $600-$700... anything cheaper would be a bonus for sure. I'm plenty handy and don't mind putting some parts on myself.

 

[fivetricks]

Yes and I would definitely research it. You can trick it out anyway you like or don't like. If you can find a barrel with a removable lid and ring you've really got it made. I bet your total cost would be under $100 if you wanted to go cheaper rather than more customized

 

[gmc2003]

I'm a Weberholic and can easily say(with a straight face) go for it. You won't regret your decision on the 22". I have one and it works as advertised. I'm also a member of the forum, and as such I will ask - have you tried a heat gun to prior to starting you MES? Some folks that live in colder climates use it to jump start their MES's. Just food for thought before you spend 400.00 plus dollars on a new smoker that you may not need.

Chris

 

[MileHiGuy]

Thanks fivetricks and Chris for the advice.

Chris I haven't tried a heat gun on the MES. I'll give that some thought.

 

[noboundaries]

The WSM is a great smoker right out of the box. There are lots of other options for charcoal smokers, included the Pit Barrel, but there's one fact that's hard to deny; it's hard to find any complaints about the WSM. Sure, you can't do whole hog, and the 22.5" is limited to 40-60 lbs maximum on meat, plus there's a small learning curve, but that's about it.

It'll cruise for 12-14 hours without touching it when the right charcoal is used. It can smoke between 140F or 350F+. Fuel is cheap and available year-round, especially when on sale.

They are about impossible to find for sale on Craigslist, and the ones that do pop up are almost never used. If I had less self control, I'd own three more 22.5" WSMs, which is all I've seen on Craigslist locally in the last 4-5 years.

It's a great charcoal smoker, but just one of many depending what you're looking for.

 

[Geebs]

Get a WSM you wont regret it!