Weber Smokey Mtn. Smoker - - - Need Info Please

[OldUsedParts]

I've been grilling and smoking on an ECB for many years and mine is about to lose it's ability to perform as I want any longer. I would just get another one had they not stopped making them any longer.

So I'm seriously considering a 22" Smokey Mtn and would like any and all pros and cons from Y'all.
https://www.weber.com/US/en/grills/char ... 31001.html

It's either this or a UDS because I like the option to have the meat a good distance above the coals.

[Joetee]

I never had one but have heard they are really a good smoker. But I think you will find a few mods that make them much better.
One is replacing the door for a better deal. I'm sure others will chime in on this.

https://www.smokedbbqsource.com/weber-s ... tain-mods/

[OldUsedParts]

Thanks for the input.

[Norway Joe]

I have the 18.5 inches version.
I'm happy with it. I don't have much experience with other smokers but I find it easy to use. I haven't done any modifications to it but it still keeps the temperatures steady. I use the water pan with water. Drawback is that it's messy to clean.

After I bought the Weber Smokefire pellet smoker I haven't used the WSM much. I guess I'm to lazy.

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[OldUsedParts]

Thanks, Joe, I've never seen one ?in person? and I really need to do that. I've also considered Kamado but I like to have that distance option that these taller ones give.

[Norway Joe]

Thanks, Joe, I've never seen one ?in person? and I really need to do that. I've also considered Kamado but I like to have that distance option that these taller ones give.

There is a separate forum on the web for the WSM

https://tvwbb.com/#weber-smokey-mountai ... -smokers.4

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[k.a.m.]

We have both the 18.5" and the 22.5". I can honestly say once we got 22.5" the smaller one does not see much service.
If you are handy and have access to an unlined drum you can be cooking on a UDS for under 150.00. Less if you do not go overboard on parts.
You can order bolt on parts at https://udsparts.com/

[OldUsedParts]

Thanks KAM - - - I'm really wanting the 22" Smokey Mtn. - - - I hardly ever build or fabricate or fix anything any more because of my "old" hands so I've given most all of my tools to my Sons except for the basics.

[k.a.m.]

Thanks KAM - - - I'm really wanting the 22" Smokey Mtn. - - - I hardly ever build or fabricate or fix anything any more because of my "old" hands so I've given most all of my tools to my Sons except for the basics.

I understand completely.
The only problem in my opinion with the smaller one is as you already know space. The 22.5" Allows you to easily cook full packers or two to three pork butts. I know you can can trick a brisket on the smaller one but for me it ain't natural lol. I can tell you this the smaller one controls heat much better than its bigger sibling I attribute this to the larger cooking area and not sealing well. Our 22.5" likes 300° but I do run dry foiled pans and no water.

[Scott P]

I've had an 18.5" WSM since 2006 or so and a 22" for a few years. I think they are one of the best values in smokers. Capacity is greater than a BGE. Adding a controller like a Cyber Q/DigiQ makes it set and forget it easy. Adding charcoal and wood chunks is easy too. But, you usually don't have to do that as a full load of charcoal lasts 12+ hours. As far as capacity goes, you can generally fit a couple 15 lb briskets in an 18.5" WSM and bigger ones in the 22" one. The 18'5" is much more efficient. The 22" burns through charcoal at a higher rate, plus it uses more just due to its size.

I retired my 2006 WSM in 2020 when a small hole burned through the bottom and the grates needed replacing again. Still, it saw thousands of pounds of charcoal and was worth the $200 it cost way back when. You can find them used on Facebook marketplace for a pretty reasonable price. That is where I bought my 22" and 18.5" replacement.