WSM 18 is it worth it?

[beast]

I'm new to smoking and have been using a Weber Kettle.  It works pretty good, but I may have an opportunity to buy a WSM 18 at a discounted price. What differences will I see? What is a fair price for a WSM?

 

[davesfroggin]

The average price for a brand new 18.5 WSM is about $300.

 

[jcollins]

Well if that used 18.5 WSM is more than 250 i wouldn't buy it because you can buy a brand new one for 300 also depends on current condition. I am not sure how long of a smoke you can do on a kettle. but i do know you can get upwards of 20 hours on 1 load of coals for a 18.5 @ 250 and i would assume that its alot easier to control temps as well because a wsm is made for smoking and a kettle if more fore grilling but can smoke same with the wsm they can be grilled on as well 

 

[beast]

Price is 230 new in box. I am trying to decide if it's worth it to drop the money on or try to build a drum smoker or modify a brinkman or something like that.

 

[freiesleben]

Hi beast,

I have a WSM 18.5 myself, and I really like it. I have been cooking following in it, with a lot of happy family and friends :) :

Brisket

Chicken

Ribs(beef once and quite a lot of times pork)

Salmon

Links

Boston butt(for pulled pork)

It took a while to control the temperature, but I now have the hang of it. 

This weekend I made a mod for it as well, so I can now fit 3 cooking grates inside the original cooking chamber, which is really when I am making ribs and maybe link/sausages. 

I would recommend buying a gasket kit for it as well. 

So yes, I can recommend buying a WSM, but it is of course a bit limited with cooking surface, but the mod I made this weekend helps a lot.

I can send you some info if you want, I have made a table for mine as well, which is pretty nice when you have to handle the meat for adding sauce etc. 

 

[dward51]

$230 is a great price on a new in the box WSM.  I've had a 18.5" since 2005 and love it.   Unless you are regularly cooking for a heard, the 18.5" is plenty.  I can do 4 large pork butts on mine with no problems.

 

[bbqwillie]

Difference will be like night and day.  The kettle is really for  grilling, the WSM is for smoking. Different tools for different tasks. If you try to build a drum you will invest at least $230 before your done. And 230 is a great price for a NIB 18.5! I'd jump on that deal.

 

[timstalltaletav]

Price is 230 new in box. I am trying to decide if it's worth it to drop the money on or try to build a drum smoker or modify a brinkman or something like that.

$230 is a great deal. I'd jump on it.

 

[sawinredneck]

Maybe build a drum, but walk away from the Brinkmann idea! Wish I'd have bought a WSM instead of the horizontal trailmaster I bought, but my back issues were the winning plea, I just couldn't bend or hunch over like that to operate it.
For that money, being nib, I'd jump on it and buy the goodies from Cajun mods? I believe? The gasket kit and door mod in particular.
Then be happy!

 

[b-one]

I've been very pleased with my WSM! I bought as $1000 gas grill thinking it would be easier as I'm at work a lot but after reading about them here and other places I took the plunge if you get it I highly doubt you'll regret it!

 

[davesfroggin]

I have the 22.5 WSM and I love it. I've done just a couple mods and it's helped out. That's a great price and I'd jump on it for sure.

 

[JckDanls 07]

you'll never find them ON SALE at that price...