Weber Smokey Mountain Charcoal smokers for business?

[kenno 2429]

This summer I hope to get my small business started with a few cooks here and there for parties etc. Guns & Hoses BBQ needs to get off the ground, I would love a Meadow Creek smoker but can't afford one right now. Considering the Weber Smokey Mountain 22" for starters, maybe buy two of them. I currently have a 4 rack Bradley Digital and a 4 rack Smoke Hollow propane smoker. My Bradley is okay but need electricity if I cook on site, I don't have a generator. Propane is nice but has capacity limitations. I'm leaning towards the Weber SM as it seems to work well for Harry Su in Slap yo daddy BBQ. Any help or suggestions appreciated

 

[pgsmoker64]

I am a proud WSM 22.5" owner.  Awesome smoker...you can't go wrong there!

Bill

 

[cliffcarter]

If you are willing to spend a bit more than the $800 you need for 2 22.5" WSMs you can get one of these-

http://www.backwoods-smoker.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=64&Itemid=85

 

[dward51]

WSM's are very reliable and if you get a BBQ Guru power draft, you will have about as close to a "set and forget" charcoal smoker as you can get.  Yes the Guru does require power but it runs off of 12v so you could still have the luxury of computer control without a generator at remote sites (it has a 110v to 12v converter but will run just fine off of a small 12v battery).   Their CyberQ model will control two pits at the same time.  Once you have a few smokes with a power draft like a Guru, you will see how consistent and predictable the performance of the WSM is with the Guru.  Then you can focus more of your attention on the other aspects of your business.

You see a lot of WSM's at competitions.  That should be a good sign.

 

[kenno 2429]

Thanks to both of you for your replies and input. I checked out that link for the backwoods smoker, looks nice but I need something a little easier to move around.

 

[kenno 2429]

Bill, PGSmoker....any pics or advice?

 

[BGKYSmoker]

Ditto with dward

 

[pgsmoker64]

Bill, PGSmoker....any pics or advice?

Nothing that really shows the work done.

The power draft from BBQ guru is a great idea!  I don't have one yet but have been considering it.  Using the minion method they are already really close to set and forget.

Also, you can get a stacker for the WSM that will give you another layer of capacity.  Here is the link...http://cajunbandit.com/   Two WSMs and two of these...you can do about 18 racks of ribs at once or 18 pork butts all depending on size.

The Maverick ET-732 digital thermometers are a must - about $60.00 each.

Plus it's light and easy to haul around.  

Good luck,

 Bill

 

[kenno 2429]

I was just on the guru web site and priced out a digi Q with a 10cfm fan and 12v adapter pug for $284. I have heard a lot of good things about the maverick too, if I don't go with the digi Q I would probably go with the Maverick. Otherwise they do just about the same, minus the fan.

 

[pgsmoker64]

Almost forgot one important thing...

I have stopped using water in my water pan in the WSM.  I filled my water bowl with play sand and covered it with foil.  My temps have never been steadier and the food that comes off the WSM is still just as awesome!

Bill

 

[dward51]

I was just on the guru web site and priced out a digi Q with a 10cfm fan and 12v adapter pug for $284. I have heard a lot of good things about the maverick too, if I don't go with the digi Q I would probably go with the Maverick. Otherwise they do just about the same, minus the fan.

The DigiQ will give you the pit temps and food temps like the Maverick (in addition to controlling the pit via the fan's air).  I have found that since I got my DigiQ several years ago, 99% of the time I no longer get out the Maverick except to use it as a count up or count down timer (just use the receiver unit alone).  I'm so confident the Guru will reliably control the temps I just don't bother with the wireless remote transmitter any more.   I might peek out at the Guru display as I walk by the kitchen door, but other than that.... Trust in the power of the Guru!

Just something to think about which might save you a little money if you are on the fence about buying both of them.

Also my Maverick is the older model 73 and not the 732.  This is also why I have not bothered to buy a 732 yet as I'm not sure I really need it.  Although it's great as a timer for moping, spritzing, or whatever.

 

[sawzall]

I would think about building a small fleet of UDS.  They can be controlled with an electronic controller just as easily as a WSM, can hold just as much as a single 22.5" WSM and can be built for 1/4 the price in most cases.  Seen lots of them in competitions too.  Can put some high heat paint on them and stencil your company logo on them for a personalized look too to help promote your company!

 

[jsbguin]

I've started a similar type of business myself. I have the 18.5 model and it works perfectly for me. I've but over 100 lbs of meat through it in the last two weeks and it has handled it like a champ.

Check Craigslist. That's where I bought mine. It was barely used, and was already seasoned with 5 or 6 cooks on it by the previous owner. I paid $200 for it.

 

[badmoont2]

Sounds like a plan to me. We have a 22.5 at work that I use to make Q about once a month. I am able to feed 20+ people with it. They're easy to move and you can use one or two as the size of the crowd dictates, saving a little fuel in the process, as opposed to firing up a large trailer mounted smoker for a smaller crowd. Good luck on your new enterprise.

 

[flyweed]

I would agree.if you are gonna start a serious bbq business....forget the WSM's and build your self 4-6 UDS's....they smoke every bit as well as a WSM and cost next to nothing to create. You can put "pit contollers" on them as well.

HTH

Dan