After a few threads asking questions, and pestering a member or two about their specific set up, and then sitting on the fence, and... forgetting to get the money from my awards account at work, I finally ordered a 22" WSM. Arrived yesterday while I was at work. Put it together today...
My initial impressions:
1. This thing is massive. Big enough, that you could probably stick 2 20-24# turkeys on it, using both grates. And still have room around the meat for a few other odds and ends, easily.
2. Build quality looks to be good. Door needs massaged. I did start the process, with more to go. Initially it had a 1/2" gap on both upper corners of the door. Got that down to 1/4" between the knob and.the corners, with the corners now touching the body. I ordered the gasket kit at the same time. It will probably get used tomorrow. I want this sealed up so I dont have to worry about any leaks if possible.
3. Hardware. The grommet was a bit of a challenge until I figured out the trick. Nuts, bolts, etc. Should come with 2 lengths of bolts. 1 for the legs, 1 for the brackets (this may be not picking, but I worked on aircraft for a while, and bolt/screws should have 2 threads on the outside of the nuts after tightening.) If I had my druthers, the leg bolts would be this way. Also what could be helpful is something to keep from hearing the washer grind/compress/crack the porcelain when tightening the leg bolts.
4. I can tell already, that I'm going to wind up picking up a second fire grate, to flip and run 90* from the first one. Also may try to figure out a way to connect the coal ring to the fire grate semi permanently. I can also see getting some expanded metal to raise the height of it. These options, are just that. Will need to run it a few times, to see how she performs.
5. To make life easier when adding/removing the center body piece, I think I might eventually, be adding handles. Not an absolute requirement, but will be helpful *if* I have to remove it while there are coals still going.
Overall, I'm very impressed and.happy with this choice. I had been interested in going with an electric one instead, but... we average a power outage about once every other month, sometimes a bit more frequent. This drove me away from the electric. Losing power for several hours is enough to ruin a smoke, and possibly even the smoker. I know, before I even fire it up, I made the right decision. Thank you all, for your answers, and putting up with my questions.
To answer the other question, inaugural smoke will be sometime in the near future, hopefully within the next week, but I dont know for sure.
My initial impressions:
1. This thing is massive. Big enough, that you could probably stick 2 20-24# turkeys on it, using both grates. And still have room around the meat for a few other odds and ends, easily.
2. Build quality looks to be good. Door needs massaged. I did start the process, with more to go. Initially it had a 1/2" gap on both upper corners of the door. Got that down to 1/4" between the knob and.the corners, with the corners now touching the body. I ordered the gasket kit at the same time. It will probably get used tomorrow. I want this sealed up so I dont have to worry about any leaks if possible.
3. Hardware. The grommet was a bit of a challenge until I figured out the trick. Nuts, bolts, etc. Should come with 2 lengths of bolts. 1 for the legs, 1 for the brackets (this may be not picking, but I worked on aircraft for a while, and bolt/screws should have 2 threads on the outside of the nuts after tightening.) If I had my druthers, the leg bolts would be this way. Also what could be helpful is something to keep from hearing the washer grind/compress/crack the porcelain when tightening the leg bolts.
4. I can tell already, that I'm going to wind up picking up a second fire grate, to flip and run 90* from the first one. Also may try to figure out a way to connect the coal ring to the fire grate semi permanently. I can also see getting some expanded metal to raise the height of it. These options, are just that. Will need to run it a few times, to see how she performs.
5. To make life easier when adding/removing the center body piece, I think I might eventually, be adding handles. Not an absolute requirement, but will be helpful *if* I have to remove it while there are coals still going.
Overall, I'm very impressed and.happy with this choice. I had been interested in going with an electric one instead, but... we average a power outage about once every other month, sometimes a bit more frequent. This drove me away from the electric. Losing power for several hours is enough to ruin a smoke, and possibly even the smoker. I know, before I even fire it up, I made the right decision. Thank you all, for your answers, and putting up with my questions.
To answer the other question, inaugural smoke will be sometime in the near future, hopefully within the next week, but I dont know for sure.
