My WSM is on the way!

[5lakes]

Greetings!

Well, I did it. I ordered an 18.5 inch WSM.

A little history...

Many years ago, I bought the ECB but was never able to get it to work like I thought it should. It got buried in the shed out back. I had completely forgotten about it when I decided to get serious about smoking meat.

I bought an offset. It works great, with the mods. But it uses way too much fuel for the amount of meat I smoke. It did serve it's purpose though, of getting me hooked on the food.

Then, one day, my boy asked why I didn't use the one I already had. Hmpf, durn kid. Well, I dug that out and researched the mods for it. So, I had two smokers, both putting out great food. However, lots of work went into both to maintain temps, etc. over a long smoke. I know, preaching to the choir...

After thinking about what I've learned, I decided the WSM would be the best choice to fit what I want to do with it.

I also have a friend that owns a wood working business. He is building a wind screen for it. Each panel will be roughly 3 feet wide and four feet tall. It will fit the stainless steel pad that I use for the ECB. Three panels, hinged to fold flat. I can strap it to the luggage rack on the car, then put the canoe on top of that. Or the Suburban for long trips.

So, I should be ready soon to get back to smoking all the meat that seems be piling up in the freezer. If it goes right, there's ribs, chickens, a duck and a bunch of fish that will soon meet the new WSM.

Jerry aka 5lakes

[Mikey]

Congrats on the new smoker The folks that have em, love em. Look forward to some pics of your smokes.

[Slanted88]

Man...Good on ya! Now ya gotta get after it!

[minnbill]

Yer going to love that smoker .I know I do
check out this site .they got a lot of good info for wsm users
http://tvwbb.com/eve?s=98110183&cdra=Y

[rpmorey]

Congratulations on adding to your arsenal! Sounds like that freezer will need restocking in no time! Good luck with the new WSM.

[SmokinLee]

Congrats, they are a great cooker

[Richtee]

Kinda funny...after someone goes thru all the angles and mods on other styles, they order a new WSM ;{)

I love mine. It has some issues, the wind thing being one. But it's incredibly versatile and fun to play with. AND- it does a great job. Congrats!

[HawgHeaven]

Talk about one helluva smoker... You are gonna love that thing!!

[ALX]

I have had one at least 10 years or so...Versatile and straight forward to use...Also have a 22 inch..

Dont forget you can also put 2 lit funnels in and a couple chunks of wood and mine will cruise at 330-350 degree that makes a great smoke oven....I also cold smoke in mine....

Enjoy...A bunch of us have experience,so ask away if issues arrive....

[chisoxjim]

congrats,

Ill echo what others have said, WSM's are really nice. When I got mine I gave away my other smokers.

[5lakes]

Thanks for all the good comments.

I'm really looking forward to getting it. Now, all I have to do is dig through the snow to find the charcoal chimney. I think it's near the ECB, but I'm not sure. The first foot and a half surprised me. After that, it's just been a battle to keep the driveway clean. Another four inches today, with another two to four tonight. Not even half way through the winter and we're already close to a record amount of snow. More than four feet so far. Only another foot to set a record. At this rate, maybe I should just bite the bullet and put a plow on the Suburban.

Wanted to get a snow blower this year, but other things had to take priority.

That, and I figure I could smoke some meat for my boy in college. Maybe, just maybe, he won't ask for grocery money so often...

I'm sure I'll have questions. I'll have a better idea tomorrow night about when the wind screen will be done. I figured that would need to be a priority, given the snow and wind we can get here. It will be tall enough to support a tarp over the whole thing to protect it from snow when not using it.

Again, thanx for all the good words.

Jerry aka 5lakes

[5lakes]

It surprised me by arriving earlier than expected. I have it assembled and just sitting here. Now, I have to dig a space in a snow drift to set it outside to get it going. My wind screen isn't done yet. Design issues. It should be simple, but I just have to make things difficult. The windscreen will double as a canoe carrier for the car. The only part left is to figure out the hinges. I think that's also decided on, but it has to be tested before making the final decision.

For now, the snow is deep enough to provide a good break against the wind.

Jerry. aka. 5lakes

[Slanted88]

Get on it Man!...Good on ya fer the new toy!

[HawgHeaven]

Pix!! We like PIX!!

[5lakes]

I dug a small cove out of a snow bank to set it outside. This is where I will be using it if we get a break in the weather. Tonight is more snow, then this week temps are supposed to get slightly above zero most days, but sink below every night. I brought it right back inside after taking the photo.