Upgrading on a Budget: Suggestions?

[wyojay]

Nice, I am positive you are gonna be impressed! Love my mini.

Thanks cavman! I am already impressed! I just put it together and have started Stage 1 of the seasoning process (I'm using Harry Soo's method). Honestly, I think would have been fine with the mini myself, but I do like the extra cooking surface this 18.5 provides.

 

[b-one]

Congrats on the new smoker!Thumbs Up

 

[wyojay]

Congrats on the new smoker!Thumbs Up

Thank you b-one! I'm stoked! This is like trading in a VW Bug for a Porche 911 Turbo!

 

[wyojay]

Stage 2 seasoning the WSM. Bacon at 275F...

 

[wyojay]

After a 3-stage seasoning process over the last couple of days, I put my new WSM to the test today. I smoked 3 racks of St. Louis style ribs (rubbed with Famous Dave's rib rub) for 6 hours at 250F, with Kingsford applewood briquets, and 3 chunks of crabapple from the tree in my back yard. I decided against the 3-2-1 method for this test, and just smoked them straight with no water in the pan, spraying them with apple cider every 30 minutes after about 2 hours of undisturbed smoke time. Then, I brushed them with a light coat of Sweet Baby Rays Original sauce for the final 30 minutes.

Results: AMAZING!!!

I am absolutely in love with my WSM! So is my entire family, including my rib connoisseur Mother-in-law. Smoking with my WSM is almost like cheating! Less than half the fuel consumption of my old Brinkmann, and temp control that I never dreamed possible. I can only imagine how well it will do with continued use. Anyone on the fence about purchasing one of these little miracles should jump over without hesitation!

A HUGE thank you to everyone who has replied to this thread!

Jason