Question Big Green Egg or Weber WSM 22-1/2"

I have a WSM and it works great. After using it a few times, it's very easy to control and maintain temps, and I usually can keep it at 225 for 8 hrs on batch of lump charcoal. I have heard very good things about the BGE but have never used one. It really depends on how much you want to spend. The BGE is significantly more than the WSM.

Make sure to use the chimney starter to get your coals going real good before putting them in the smoker. Open the vents all the way till you can get an idea of how hot the temp is. Once you let it burn for awhile and have a good temp reading, you can adjust the vents to lower the temp. If you don't ever get up to 225 it's probably because you aren't letting the coals burn long enough in the chimney starter. Also, I find that the lump charcoal burns hotter than the briquettes.

I cooked a thick t-bone on the BGE last night. Got the heat up as high as it would go. Put that steak on and got an excellent sear on both sides. Perfect. Best steak I've ever cooked myself.

true - no contest between them.


if you are a good cook - get an Egg

DB, take a look at this The Professor!

Hopefully this will help with your WSM...sry for the hijack

I got the 18 1/2 inch WSM for Christmas is is awesome. I did an overnight cook with a 9 pound pork butt on the top rack and a 12 pound brisket on the bottom rack. I put them on at 6 p.m. and by 10 a.m. the next morning the brisket was done and by noon the pork butt was done.

I held a temperature of between 210 and 250 degrees from 7 p.m. till 7 a.m. without having to add charcoal or adjust the vents on the bottom. When I woke up the next morning I did have to add about 20 unlit briquettes to finish the cooking.

The key is to use the minion method. Follow these steps and you are all set for long cooks at even temperatures.

I'm sure the BGE is great, but for $700 more it better be. In my opinion, the WSM is the best smoker you can get for the amount of money you spend. Best bang for your buck if you will.