Equipment question

[den60]

I am still in the process of selecting my first smoker. I had previously decided on the WSM 18.5" because I didn't expect to be cooking for a lot of people. But last night when talking with my gf she mentioned it would be nice to smoke a turkey come Thanksgiving. I told her that I didn't think that smoker would be big enough and her response was "don't they make a bigger one?" Yeah, I love her too. So, I'd like to hear the pros and cons of going with the 22.5" over the 18.5" from those here. I know I will use more charcoal and when I mentioned the size issue my gf said I could just build a pad for it off the patio with some pavers (yes, yes I could). Any other things I should consider. I expect if I go with the larger smoker it will be more grill than what I need most of the time. Of course, if I become good at smoking I guess we could always throw a few backyard shindigs each year.

 

[aeroforce100]

generally, "Bigger is better".  Go for the 22.5, you will find a way to use that "extra" space.
 

 

[fpnmf]

I don't know where you found that the 18.5 cant do a turkey..

I did two (one on each rack) last Thanksgiving and had room for ABTs...

 

[den60]

I didn't find anything that said I couldn't smoke a turkey on the 18.5", I just figured it might not be big enough. I have yet to actually go see the grill, I am just looking on Weber's site and Amazon (where I will buy it). We'll probably make a trek down to BBQ's Galore this weekend to check them out. I do understand the concept of "bigger is better" but it also is going to be $100 more and I want to make sure I'm not getting too much grill for my needs. When I was told I might be in charge of the main event come Thanksgiving I was a bit hesitant. But my gf said we can do a second turkey the traditional method and just have more turkey for sandwiches later on. I also think I'll try doing a turkey sometime this summer as a test run.

I am still a week or so away from purchasing my smoker. I am so looking forward to this!
 

 

[scarbelly]

Good luck with your quest for a smoker. The BBQ Galore on Clairemont Mesa has a pretty good selection if you are in that area. If you can afford the bigger unit I say go for it but both are great units  

 

[fpnmf]

>>>>[color= rgb(24, 24, 24)]  I do understand the concept of "bigger is better" [/color]

[color= rgb(24, 24, 24)]I don't..can you explain it to me???[/color]

[color= rgb(24, 24, 24)]Having a bigger unit is just more expensive to use.[/color]

[color= rgb(24, 24, 24)]I have an 18.5 a MES30 and a med BGE. [/color]

[color= rgb(24, 24, 24)]Lots of people have eaten here and no one has ever gone away hungry.[/color]

 

[chef jimmyj]

When I was in the same position, I was frequently reminded that this Smoking thing is addictive and you may very well find you become super popular with friends and family. I went one size bigger on the MES and frequently fill all four shelves doing Birds, Ribs and ABT's all at the same time. I just smoked 8 full Rack o' Ribs for my daughters friend's family for a Memorial day picnic. Unless money is an issue you may very quickly find the larger WSM was worth it...JJ

 

[den60]

>>>>[color= rgb(24, 24, 24)]  I do understand the concept of "bigger is better" [/color]

[color= rgb(24, 24, 24)]I don't..can you explain it to me???[/color]

[color= rgb(24, 24, 24)]Having a bigger unit is just more expensive to use.[/color]

[color= rgb(24, 24, 24)]I have an 18.5 a MES30 and a med BGE. [/color]

[color= rgb(24, 24, 24)]Lots of people have eaten here and no one has ever gone away hungry.[/color]

That was in response to aeroforce's post. It is a "guy" thing which applies to many different items, TV's, trucks, certain female body parts, to name a few.

  But, I do understand the added expense of the unit itself and the cost of needing more fuel to get it up to temperature. I expect that the 18.5 will be more than enough for my needs and the only question I have would be doing a turkey. I just have to measure one and take a look at an actual grill. As for doing ribs for a lot of people I can always get some rib racks which is a helluva lot cheaper than the added cost of a bigger unit.

I appreciate all the responses here. The only thing right now I'm sold on is that it will be a Weber. So will my next gas grill. I just want to make sure what I get is what I need.

 

[diggingdogfarm]

As fpnmf said, bigger isn't always better.
Bigger is only better if it's essential to meet your needs.
A lot of food can be cooked on the 18.5!
The 22.5 is huge in comparison.

~Martin

 

[rp ribking]

In the colder states in winter like where I live, I cannot wait for warmer weather. I use 2 to 3 times more fuel than summer with a 22.5" WSM.

Just check out my profile and look at the pic's of what a 22.5" WSM can do!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If you can see them???

Since you live in a warmer climate I would go for the big one!!! Butt that is just me. 

!!!!!!

 

[scarbelly]

As someone who uses mine for large family gatherings it was important to get one with enough room to feed them. In my experience as a caterer I can't tell you how many times a larger grill or smoker would have been real handy. All I am saying is - if you can afford it and afford the extra to run it, why not? 

 

[fpnmf]

>>>>>>[color= rgb(24, 24, 24)]  I expect that the 18.5 will be more than enough for my needs and the only question I have would be doing a turkey[/color]

[color= rgb(24, 24, 24)]The pics I have up there are of a 12 pounder on the top rack and there was another on the bottom rack.[/color]

[color= rgb(24, 24, 24)]I also put a couple dozen ABTs on.[/color]

 

[rabbithutch]

Some folks are gonna say that I sound like a stuck record (for you whippersnappers that was a thing that sometimes happened when the stylus on the pick are of your record players got stuck in a groove on your acetate - :biggrin:), but I urge anyone who is considering a first bullet smoker to consider this: http://tvwbb.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/3471094836/m/5870049575

You have to work hard to spend $100 bucks even if you buy a brand new Smokey Joe Silver at Wal*mart or Lowes. You get to have some fun reading up and learning about the build. You get the fun of building it. It will cook a TON of food. It is economical as hell to operate (1 chimney of Kingsford will get you 4 to 6 hours - maybe more if you're better at building and controlling your burn. The proof, however, is in the pudding; and this little think will do a great job on ribs, chicken, butts, ABTs (haven't done a brisket yet 'cause I have an MES40 that makes long burns easier to do).

Just something to consider. If you get it built and use it and don't like it, you haven't dropped much cash and you've probably learned a lot that will help you buying your next smoker be it a WSM or something else. If I had known about this little project 9 months ago, I probably would not own an MES now.

:texas:

 

[den60]

Some folks are gonna say that I sound like a stuck record (for you whippersnappers that was a thing that sometimes happened when the stylus on the pick are of your record players got stuck in a groove on your acetate -

), but I urge anyone who is considering a first bullet smoker to consider this: http://tvwbb.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/3471094836/m/5870049575
You have to work hard to spend $100 bucks even if you buy a brand new Smokey Joe Silver at Wal*mart or Lowes. You get to have some fun reading up and learning about the build. You get the fun of building it. It will cook a TON of food. It is economical as hell to operate (1 chimney of Kingsford will get you 4 to 6 hours - maybe more if you're better at building and controlling your burn. The proof, however, is in the pudding; and this little think will do a great job on ribs, chicken, butts, ABTs (haven't done a brisket yet 'cause I have an MES40 that makes long burns easier to do).
Just something to consider. If you get it built and use it and don't like it, you haven't dropped much cash and you've probably learned a lot that will help you buying your next smoker be it a WSM or something else. If I had known about this little project 9 months ago, I probably would not own an MES now.

I saw that thread and you did a good job with that project. But, I am already remodeling her house and still have some projects going in the back yard (though the waterfall project I've been working on is just about done). I just don't really have the time to take on another project and I do like to get out on the weekends and enjoy the weather I am paying for. What I have decided to do is get some measurements of the size turkey she wants to do and see if it will fit in the Weber. I did stop by a Sears today since we were at a mall picking up a B-day gift but they don't carry the WSM. They did have a 22.5 inch kettle and it is pretty (but not huge). I can tell you, though, she is pushing for the 22.5. I hope she has the same "bigger is better" view when I "suggest" that the living room really needs a 60" TV once I am done with it.

 

[den60]

In the colder states in winter like where I live, I cannot wait for warmer weather. I use 2 to 3 times more fuel than summer with a 22.5" WSM.

Just check out my profile and look at the pic's of what a 22.5" WSM can do!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If you can see them???

Since you live in a warmer climate I would go for the big one!!! Butt that is just me. 

!!!!!!

Um, what's winter?

 

[den60]

I didn't get a chance to go look at the grill this weekend, my gf wants to come and her daughter's sick. What I do know is she wants the ability to smoke about a 14-16 lb turkey in it. I do know that her friend usually has 8 Marines from Camp Pendleton for Thanksgiving and Laurie (my gf) has expressed an interest in helping her with that, which means maybe even smoking two large turkeys at the same time. I think Laurie would like to do the same as her friend, invite some Marines for Thanksgiving who don't get a chance to go home for the holiday (she is a psychologist with the VA). I would think that would be something fun to do as well. So, if that is her ulterior motive (and I can't fault her for that) then I can see why she wants me to get the bigger smoker.

 

[rabbithutch]

Howdy, Den!

Go for the big WSM if you got the scratch! Go back the the TVWBB forum where the mini-WSM posts are back out to the main page. You will find countless posts about the WSM and what it will do. There are lots of posts here at SMF, too, but there are some folks over there who live in the things, it seems like.

HTH

ps: The mini-WSM project is about an hour after you assemble the materials. Use a jig saw on the bottom if you decide to cut out the center. Dremels just don't get it done, IME.

 

[den60]

Thanks. I saw one post where it had a picture of the 22.5 and the 18.5 side by side which makes for a nice general comparison. I still want to physically look at them to make sure. I do recall Laurie mentioning how much her friend enjoyed having the Marines down (and how much they eat) for TG. I got the impression that she was a bit envious. I know her daughters would enjoy doing something like that, her oldest makes some great pies! Her youngest I think would like to help me with the smoking.

I could also see myself making one at some point. I have a small metal shop at work so tools are no problem. Maybe I will buy big and make small and have the best of both worlds.
 

 

[jp61]

I didn't get a chance to go look at the grill this weekend, my gf wants to come and her daughter's sick. What I do know is she wants the ability to smoke about a 14-16 lb turkey in it. I do know that her friend usually has 8 Marines from Camp Pendleton for Thanksgiving and Laurie (my gf) has expressed an interest in helping her with that, which means maybe even smoking two large turkeys at the same time. I think Laurie would like to do the same as her friend, invite some Marines for Thanksgiving who don't get a chance to go home for the holiday (she is a psychologist with the VA). I would think that would be something fun to do as well. So, if that is her ulterior motive (and I can't fault her for that) then I can see why she wants me to get the bigger smoker.

Yeah, you better get the 22.5" because them Marines can and will put a serious dent in any BBQ! I don't know what they feed those "leathernecks" these days but, back in my day the chow wasn't anything to write home about. It's nice to hear that people care and give!

 

[den60]

OK, I pulled the trigger on the 22.5. Will be here on Friday (I love Amazon Prime). My gf wants to take me to BBQ galore on Saturday to look for a good Father's Day gift for me (she nixed my idea of stopping by a Porsche dealer). I do need a good meat thermometer. Any suggestions on that? Any other things I should think about getting while we're there? With this grill do I need a rib rack? Spritzer (hell I can get a bottle for that at Home Depot).

I won't get to use it this weekend. Will have to put it together and on Sunday we're heading out to my parents' for D-day. I'm thinking I may do ribs the following Saturday. It's my son's B-day and I was thinking about having my parents up for a celebration. The book I ordered still hasn't shipped so if any of y'all have a good rib rub recipe let me know.

God, I'm excited!