Beginner here- questions

dietz777

Fire Starter

Original poster

Apr 24, 2013

30

10

• Apr 24, 2013

• #1

I am brand new to smoking meat but have decided I am ready to make the commitment to learning and spending a descent amount of money on a smoker. I have watched friends smoke meat for years and I am ready to take the plunge. I am not really sure if I should go with a electric or charcoal smoker. I am willing to spend $200-400 range, I have read the WSM gets great feedback and reviews by almost everyon. I also didn't know if the 18.5 is big enough or if I would need to jump to the 22'. I was also looking at the Traeger JR electric ($400) which might be to small but I am not sure, I have not seen it in person. I will be smoking ribs, briskets, pork shoulders, chicken the normal stuff but I don't know how big of a smoker a guy needs? The other option is just a simple masterbuilt or any brand barrell style smoker/grill combo, they seem less expensive but also sound like they need a lot of work to set them up correctly. Any feedback on a way to go for a beginner would be appreciated!!!

 

fwismoker

Master of the Pit

Dec 31, 2012

4,279

1,033

North East Indiana

• Apr 24, 2013

• #2

The WSM would be a solid choice imo.   If you like the "charcoal" taste  then you only get that from wood and not electric. ..wood/charcoal cookers gives you more complex flavors.  I guess it depends on how much simplicity you want or not. 

 

Last edited: Apr 24, 2013

dietz777

Fire Starter

Original poster

Thread starter

Apr 24, 2013

30

10

• Apr 24, 2013

• #3

My only concern on wood compared to electric is I heard the WSM does not have a thermomoter on it, therefore that seems to leave a lot of trial and error and the possibility of wasting a lot of meat. I may be wrong though, like I said I am a beginner. Also is the 18.5 plenty big for someone at my level and not planning on doing huge smokefests with tons of different meats at the same time?

 

fwismoker

Master of the Pit

Dec 31, 2012

4,279

1,033

North East Indiana

• Apr 24, 2013

• #4

Dietz777 said:

My only concern on wood compared to electric is I heard the WSM does not have a thermomoter on it, therefore that seems to leave a lot of trial and error and the possibility of wasting a lot of meat. I may be wrong though, like I said I am a beginner. Also is the 18.5 plenty big for someone at my level and not planning on doing huge smokefests with tons of different meats at the same time?

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They have dome thermometers but you'll want to pick up a meat thermometer to monitor your meat internal temps.  You won't wast meat by over cooking if you watch your temp but that's the same for any cooker. 

As far as what size to go you'll probably outgrow the 18 soon and wish you'd had gotten the 22...lol.  Smoking meat is lots of tasty fun!

 

Last edited: Apr 24, 2013

jirodriguez

Master of the Pit

OTBS Member

SMF Premier Member

Jun 5, 2009

4,656

143

Portland, OR

• Apr 24, 2013

• #5

The WSM is a great choice for both starting and doing advanced stuff. It is very easy to use, and produces great que. I use the lid therm to keep general track of temp, but also have several probes for more accurate temps at each grate level and internal meat temps. If you look bellow my signature you will see the eyelet mod I came up with for using probes with no issues.

 

figjam

Meat Mopper

Nov 13, 2007

214

13

St Louis (area)

• Apr 24, 2013

• #6

dietz, how many people will you typically be cooking for?  I have a family of 5 and don't do much smoking outside of feeding them, so I went with the 18.5" and it has had plenty of room for my needs.

 

dietz777

Fire Starter

Original poster

Thread starter

Apr 24, 2013

30

10

• Apr 24, 2013

• #7

5 is a good number. I am not married or no kids so just for friends here and there. master build 40 first generation has been recommended to me highly

 

fpnmf

Gone but not forgotten. RIP

OTBS Member

Jul 19, 2010

7,283

82

Fl

• Apr 24, 2013

• #8

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/135116/how-i-start-and-use-my-wsm

 

weinnmann

Fire Starter

May 23, 2008

32

10

Thief River Falls, MN

• Apr 24, 2013

• #9

I would not go with the traeger it is too small for what you want, I have the lil tex and its just big enough for briskets. They have hot spots around the edges where the drip tray/ deflector ends which makes the grilling area even smaller. I even regret not spending the extra money on getting a bigger grill. Just take your time and think about what you want to cook and make sure it fits your needs other wise you will be looking for another one in a few years, which isn't so bad.

 

dirtsailor2003

Epic Pitmaster

OTBS Member

Oct 4, 2012

21,947

4,224

Bend Oregon

• Apr 25, 2013

• #10

I really like my mini-wsm. If I didn't have it, I would get a 18.5 WSM. If you can run a drill a Mini-WSM can be made pretty easily:

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/129771/my-5-00-craigslist-find

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/139346/more-mods-to-the-mini-wsm-double-decker

 

sound1

Smoking Fanatic

Oct 10, 2011

775

22

Northern Arizona

• Apr 25, 2013

• #11

Dietz777 said:

5 is a good number. I am not married or no kids so just for friends here and there. master build 40 first generation has been recommended to me highly

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LOL    You're dreamin.  Once you get the thing going, friends will be coming out of the woodwork. And then there is the friend of a friend thing. 

BTW, I'm happy with my MES 40 combined with the AMNPS for the smoke. Bang for the buck, a tough combo to beat.  Just my $.02