Enough with the Gas Grill

[Redicans]

I just got home with my "new" WSM - here is what I got for $85:

WSM
Weber Cover
Heat Shield Blanket
Charcoal Starter Bucket
Charcoal Starters
1 Bag of Charcoal
1 Bag of Lump Charcoal
1 Bag of Post Oak wood
Ash Bucket with scoop

The racks need some cleaning and attention, but overall the smoker is solid. And it appears that the front cover isn't very loose to drain heat and smoke. I'm anxious to get it up and going...View attachment 690024

Nice score!! For $85 you can't go wrong!! Looking forward to your cooks!

 

[ron50]

You got an amazing deal there. Congrats. I'm on my 2nd WSM18 and really like it. If you are mainly smoking for 2 or 3, the WSM is a great smoker. Sometimes I wish i had a little more real estate but the reality is I don't need the extra space very often. Any questions just ask. Welcome to SMF.

 

[Nodak21]

You found a great deal. I have the same smoker and absolutely love it.

 

[TucsonMG]

Brand new guy here from Bradenton, FL. I have been grilling for years - and really have tried to "smoke" on my gas grill. I have used (with some success) a pellet tube but have found it adequate but ONLY that - and it is an expensive smoke. To smoke a butt or some beef ribs I use a tank of gas and trying my best to maintain a desired temp is a day long labor. If I am going to have a day of smoking I don't want it to be a labor but a labor of love and not running to the grill every 15 minutes when the thermo alarm goes off. So, I am trying to decide between the WSM and an Akorn since they each have their own significant benefits, from all the reading and videos I've seen. But the one question I will be offering first is are either of them a good smoker for someone to get for their first real smoker? (Truth in writing: Yes, I do own a Pit Boss pellet grill. It never performed very well and I found it to be unreliable with the pellets ganging up and burning. Florida's humidity sucks!) Thanks for the add and I look forward to learning a great deal from you all!

Don't know if you've made a decision but thought I'd pass along my experience with a WSM. First, they work fine. I had mine for about 3 years and had a lot of success. I liked being to add charcoal and wood without removing the top cover. That said, I found it to be fussy to maintain the desired temperature. For example, as the temperature drops, you have to proactively add charcoal maybe 20-30 minutes before you think you'll actually need a hotter fire. I just found it time intensive, and moving the vents didn't seem to contribute to timely temperature results. To be fair, I was using briquettes, not lump charcoal, so perhaps that contributed to the fussiness. FWIW.

Steve

 

[fxsales1959]

Brand new guy here from Bradenton, FL. I have been grilling for years - and really have tried to "smoke" on my gas grill. I have used (with some success) a pellet tube but have found it adequate but ONLY that - and it is an expensive smoke. To smoke a butt or some beef ribs I use a tank of gas and trying my best to maintain a desired temp is a day long labor. If I am going to have a day of smoking I don't want it to be a labor but a labor of love and not running to the grill every 15 minutes when the thermo alarm goes off. So, I am trying to decide between the WSM and an Akorn since they each have their own significant benefits, from all the reading and videos I've seen. But the one question I will be offering first is are either of them a good smoker for someone to get for their first real smoker? (Truth in writing: Yes, I do own a Pit Boss pellet grill. It never performed very well and I found it to be unreliable with the pellets ganging up and burning. Florida's humidity sucks!) Thanks for the add and I look forward to learning a great deal from you all!

Welcome from SE Florida. I've been through many smokers to see what makes me happy.
I've done electric, ceramic Kamodo (egg) and gravity (Masterbuilt) I thought I'd landed home with the gravity until I got my WSM. FWIW. I bought an Akorn at a garage sale to learn it was metal and eventually prone to rust. (gave it away) I've never looked back from my 18"WSM except I wish it was a 22". The onlt itme i consider using the gravity Masterbuilt is if my capacity needed exceeds the WSM (2-3 racks of ribs.)
John

 

[chopsaw]

Some of the Barrel smoker brands are making rib hangers for the WSM . Been looking at one for my 14 .

Amazon.com

 

[normanaj]

Some of the Barrel smoker brands are making rib hangers for the WSM . Been looking at one for my 14 .

Amazon.com

Me too. Just haven't gotten around to pulling the trigger,might have to be enabled!