Weber Smokey Mountain 18”?

[WV_Crusader]

So being as I’m always looking for options with my cookers and being a pellet head for over a year now and not remembering the last time I actually used propane, lol, I’ve started to research the WSM 18”. Anyone have this cooker and run it in cooler to cold climates?
I’m also curious as I seen where ThermoWorks Billows will work with it....not that I wanna go that route because I’d rather be naturally aspirated.
So anyway thoughts, suggestions, recommendations?
I was considered the Pit Barrel until I seen the temp control was more less just set for me at 1/4”.

 

[chopsaw]

I have a 14 wsm. Love it . So much fun to use .

 

[JCAP]

I have the 22 and it runs fine in the winter. You could get a welding blanket to help hold the temp or save some fuel.

I also have the PBC and it’s more set and forget with temp. It’s a great cooker but with less control.

And if you just take the waterbowl out of the WSM, you have a cooker just like the PBC but much easier to control temps.

 

[WV_Crusader]

Are you guys using any special baskets or anything in yours? Sorry just see fancy stuff kinda like going into Cabelas!

 

[chopsaw]

Mines stock .

 

[JCAP]

Nothing fancy here except I replaced the stock door with one from Cajun Bandit. Don’t think it’s super necessary though.

 

[bill1]

Putting it in a tall cardboard box helps with insulation too. Of course you'll need an opening at the bottom and the top for air flow/draft.

 

[WV_Crusader]

Thanks for the replies as always and if you think of any tips or tricks you can share I’d appreciate it!

 

[FFchampMT]

WSM 22 here, in the Yellowstone Valley in Montana.
I put the lid hinge kit on, as well as the gasket kit. The hinge is priceless, a little finicky, but well worth it. Gasket kit is... meh. I made a rib/bacon hanger at work that fits where the upper rack goes. I'm new to the smoker, but I love it coming from a pellet smoker.

I use a welding blanket wrapped around it with a ratchet strap in the cold and wind. I don't think the cold is as much as a problem as the wind. A small OBS 3 sided shelter might work too.

I also have a Signals and really like it, it's not as 'set it and forget it, 3 degree temp swings' as you'd think, but not fiddling with vents is nice. You can see it hooked up in the picture.

If I get another mod it will be the expanded mesh coal ring. It's taller to hold more fuel, and I think it would help the fan out.

 

[1MoreFord]

To cook in cold climates get a 55Gal drum and cut out both ends. Drop the drum over the WSM and support the drum on some bricks or the like to form a jacket around the WSM with clearance from the ground for air flow.

 

[BrianGSDTexoma]

If add a BBQ Guru will control temperature like a pellet smoker. I used mine as is for over 20 years and is a great smoker.

 

[Millberry]

What? Please explain. Thanks,Charlie

 

[WV_Crusader]

What? Please explain. Thanks,Charlie

What do you mean?

 

[Millberry]

Bill was saying he put his WSM in a cardboard box to smoke/???

 

[gmc2003]

He's using the cardboard box as a windbreak.

Chris

 

[Millberry]

thanks

 

[bill1]

Bill was saying he put his WSM in a cardboard box to smoke/???

Windbreak and thermal insulation. At temps <275F, it can actually touch the unit and not even brown. (Fahrenheit 451 is a bit of a stretch but most paper products can take 300F no problem.)

I use the box a child's car seat once came in but any near-square tall box will do. I cut off one of the 4 flaps at the bottom of the box and duct-taped the other 3 together to form a stand. (So one side is open for air inlet) The top 4 flaps I taped together to extend the height of the box another 8". I use another small flattened box at the top to cover the top opening except for an adjustable triangle at a corner. That top "shelf" is good for holding probe readouts/transmitters at modest temps. If I need to tend the fire or add water to the pan, the box lifts off easy. (A 55-gallon drum sounds pretty heavy...a galvanized trash can I could probably handle.)

If you think about it...the design of corrugated cardboad is not just great for cushioning but for lightweight thermal insulation as well.

And (full disclosure) it's a highly-modified El Cheapo Brinkmann generic bullet smoker, not a high quality Weber. Have pity on the poor. :-)

 

[Millberry]

Learn something everyday...Thanks Bill

 

[WV_Crusader]

Great ideas, thanks. Probably going to order one tomorrow.

 

[Millberry]

And (full disclosure) it's a highly-modified El Cheapo Brinkmann generic bullet smoker, not a high quality Weber. Have pity on the poor. :-)
[/QUOTE]
Amen--these folks wave around Waygu beef like we would a Pork Shoulder.........LOL