Craigslist SCORE - WSM for $40

[polishmeat]

Hey Guys!

Was browsing Craigslist during a break at work, and just happened to come across an ad, 20 minutes after the guy posted it.  

wsm.jpg

• polishmeat
• Aug 20, 2013

It's the 18.5 model, and going from the date code (DU), it's from 2002, so missing the thermometer, and I'm sure some other bells and whistles. 

Here are some pics of it after I made the wife pick it up, while I'm still at work:

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• polishmeat
• Aug 20, 2013

20130820_101012.jpg

• polishmeat
• Aug 20, 2013

20130820_101032.jpg

• polishmeat
• Aug 20, 2013

I already have a GOSM and use my Performer for most of my smaller smokes.  I'm sure I need to do some mods (thermo to start for sure) to it, and I was hoping you guys could share some input also.

All and all, I think it was a great buy with the condition it's in.  

Thanks.

Martin

 

[bad santa]

Nice score, you couldn't have beat that deal with a stick. You are going to love cooking on it.

 

[jirodriguez]

Nice score!

You can find therms on e-bay or contact Weber. Bellow my signature is a link for making eyelets out of lamp rod for your probe therms, or look up the one where you cut a slot in the lid rest rim. Other than that you should be good to go!

 

[polishmeat]

Thanks you guys!  So far, really good input.  I just need some alone time with this thing, so I can get used to how she cooks, adjusting temps, etc, etc. 

Martin

 

[mdboatbum]

Great deal!! I'm not sure why everyone is so intent on putting thermometers in the lids/bodies of older WSM's and Mini WSM's. They're almost always inaccurate and at best locked into one spot. Why not just get a decent probe thermometer and use that instead. You can get them for anywhere from $15 on up to a couple hundred bucks. The cheaper ones may not be the most accurate and might have probe issues, but the middle range ones (Maverick ET 732 comes to mind) are reasonably accurate and with a little care will last for years. Until you decide where and if you want to drill a hole for the probe wires, you can just run them through one of the vents or in through the door. With  probe thermo you can move the probe around to check different areas of the smoker and to make sure the meat isn't affecting temperature readings. You can also use a dual probe unit to have easy access to smoker and meat temps without opening the lid.

Good luck and congrats on the deal!

 

[dirtsailor2003]

Great score!

I'll second MD on the therm suggestion. I will never again use or put a permanent therm in a smoker. I have had great success with my Mav 732, but it has become my backup therm since I got the iGrill. If you have an iPhone or Ipad that iGrill is the way to go. Whatever you end up with, right out of the box test the probes in both boiling water and ice water to see how accurate they are and note the differences for a reference.

 

[rowdyrawhide]

Man that things practically brand new! great find

 

[hagisan]

Sweet score.  I love surfing CL for deals.

 

[den60]

Great find. I will echo the fact that the thermometer on the lid looks good but is essentially worthless. The Maverick ET732 is inexpensive and much more accurate (and can measure meat temperature if needed).

God, if I could find an 18.5 for $40 I'd run, not walk, to buy it. Wouldn't mind the 18 for smaller smokes or having the ability to throw some more stuff on for a big party! I am not saying you can't cook a lot of food on there if you are creative. I just went for the bigger model when I was shopping around.