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Started By
Message
re: Small smoker recommendation
Posted on 5/18/21 at 7:58 am to Corporal Beavis
Posted on 5/18/21 at 7:58 am to Corporal Beavis
I started on a 22" Weber Kettle. Its a great way to learn about fire management / smoking at a very cost effective price. With the snake method I can run 6-8 hours without having to check it. If you decided to upgrade in the future you'll still at least have a charcoal grill for direct grilling (if you don't already have one).
I've knocked out killer pulled pork and brisket on this thing. If you're doing more than one rack of ribs you'll need a standing rib rack ($15 at hardware store) and briskets are probably limited to under 12-15lbs pre-trim.
The only reason I would upgrade is for a more "set it and forget it" smoker - I don't do overnight smokes on the kettle. Or if I wanted more surface area for a >15# brisket or > 4 racks of ribs using hanging attachments. A vertical drum smoker or WSM is likely the next step. But for now the 22" Kettle meets all my needs.
I've knocked out killer pulled pork and brisket on this thing. If you're doing more than one rack of ribs you'll need a standing rib rack ($15 at hardware store) and briskets are probably limited to under 12-15lbs pre-trim.
The only reason I would upgrade is for a more "set it and forget it" smoker - I don't do overnight smokes on the kettle. Or if I wanted more surface area for a >15# brisket or > 4 racks of ribs using hanging attachments. A vertical drum smoker or WSM is likely the next step. But for now the 22" Kettle meets all my needs.
This post was edited on 5/18/21 at 8:08 am
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Posted on 5/18/21 at 8:40 am to Corporal Beavis
Temp control on the Weber kettle can be tricky, especially on a long cook. It's kind of hard to mess up whole chickens of Boston butts, so not that big of a deal, but if you're wanting to do ribs, brisket, turkey, and other meats with a smaller margin for error, get a dedicated smoker. The Weber Smoky Mountain line is pretty much set it and forget it once you learn how to use it. It only took me 3 or 4 smokes to learn it, but even on those first 3 or 4 uses I wasn't getting huge temp swings. They make 3 sizes, and I'd avoid the smallest one.
Posted on 5/18/21 at 8:43 am to Corporal Beavis
I hear the weber smokey mountain is a very good one and sounds like it fits what you're looking for.
Posted on 5/18/21 at 8:48 am to AyyyBaw
quote:
Get ya a Weber Smokey Mountain and call it a day.
Posted on 5/18/21 at 8:51 am to The Spleen
quote:
They make 3 sizes, and I'd avoid the smallest one.
Yeah - if you go Weber Smokey Mountain and plan on hanging ribs - you need the 22". Anything less and you'll have to cut the racks in half.
Posted on 5/18/21 at 8:52 am to Corporal Beavis
Oklahoma Joe Bronco
Posted on 5/18/21 at 9:05 am to xXLSUXx
quote:
Yeah - if you go Weber Smokey Mountain and plan on hanging ribs - you need the 22". Anything less and you'll have to cut the racks in half.
I've had a couple of racks that were a tight fit on my 22" WSM. That reminds me, I need to bite the bullet on one of those rib racks.
Posted on 5/18/21 at 8:12 pm to Corporal Beavis
Does this count as small? I grill and smoke, all wood fires only. Hang sausage, stack ribs in there, multiple butts. Brisket is a tight fit if it's a big one, but I did one last week. There are better ones and I will upgrade when this one falls apart, but it's pretty cheap and going strong 5 years now.
Posted on 5/19/21 at 2:25 am to calcotron
I have one of these Bandera's. I guess mine is around 3 years old now. It smokes much better than the traditional horizontal barrel smoker. I had the Okie Joe's Longhorn smoker for over 20 years. It was the real deal as far as construction went. It was made from 1/4" steel pipe, and not this stamped shite that CharBroil makes them from today. Keep a cover on it when not in use and it should still last a long time. I have had up to three 12 lbs. turkeys in my Bandera smoker at the same time, so it probably doesn't fall into the small smoker category, but it isn't overly large. It is also very easy to move around.
This post was edited on 5/19/21 at 2:26 am
Posted on 5/19/21 at 7:06 am to Corporal Beavis
quote:
I like the size and price range($200-300)
Posted on 5/19/21 at 12:08 pm to Corporal Beavis
I say weber kettle, and I'd personally recommend the 26".
msrp is $319 so it would be stretching your budget. however, it's priced similar to an 18" weber smokey mountain, and $100 less than the largest size WSM (22').
I think it's the best value.
if you need to stay within budget, ket the weber 22" master touch kettle, or the entry level kettle performer.
msrp is $319 so it would be stretching your budget. however, it's priced similar to an 18" weber smokey mountain, and $100 less than the largest size WSM (22').
I think it's the best value.
if you need to stay within budget, ket the weber 22" master touch kettle, or the entry level kettle performer.
Posted on 5/19/21 at 1:06 pm to Corporal Beavis
quote:
I think I will be looking into the Weber Smokey Mountain vs the Kettle. Versatility on the Kettle seems useful but I really only want this for brisket, pork, chicken etc
Do yourself a favor and get the 22” model. You’ll be happy that you did. Great smoker and much better suited for full racks and briskets.
This post was edited on 5/19/21 at 1:08 pm
Posted on 5/19/21 at 3:53 pm to SmokedBrisket2018
I’ve done like 3-4 cooks on my WSM, and I love it.
Posted on 5/19/21 at 3:57 pm to Bigryno7
quote:
A kettle gives you versatility to bbq and smoke
THIS!
Posted on 5/19/21 at 5:13 pm to 632627
My budget concern is more with this being my first smoker. If I went weber I'd probably just get one off Facebook marketplace and give it a good rinsing. Does anyone know how well the temp of the kettle holds vs a WSM? Seems like the WSM holds temp pretty damn well for 8ish hours if started correctly. I don't mind having to make adjustments every couple hours but I definitely don't have to watch my phone for 8 hours.
Also I just got a top notch weber gas grill so the bbq aspect doesn't matter as much for the kettle.
Also I just got a top notch weber gas grill so the bbq aspect doesn't matter as much for the kettle.
This post was edited on 5/19/21 at 5:14 pm
Posted on 5/19/21 at 7:21 pm to Corporal Beavis
If you decide you have a single outlet to spare the Green Mountain Davy Crockett would work for you.
Posted on 5/19/21 at 9:37 pm to Corporal Beavis
quote:
Does anyone know how well the temp of the kettle holds vs a WSM?
WSM holds temp much better, and much longer.
I’ve smoked often in my kettle. There no comparison in ease of use. The WSM is much easier.
Posted on 5/20/21 at 6:06 am to Corporal Beavis
Weber Smokey Mountain. Great info available at The Virtual Weber Bulletin Board and related site.
Many tout the 22, but compared to the 18 it takes up way more space (if that is an issue) and uses more charcoal. I have the 18 and have cooked tons of whole packer briskets and as many as 4 pork butts at once.
If you want to do whole racks of ribs on an 18, they will fit.
18 on left, 22 on right. Photo from board linked above.
My neighbor is a Tim Taylor type and just had to have the biggest, even though he never cooks for more than 2-4 people. He finally admitted that he made a mistake getting the 22 because it is a fuel hog. Hasn't used it in years. Just fires the kettle.
Another comparison shot:
Many tout the 22, but compared to the 18 it takes up way more space (if that is an issue) and uses more charcoal. I have the 18 and have cooked tons of whole packer briskets and as many as 4 pork butts at once.
If you want to do whole racks of ribs on an 18, they will fit.
18 on left, 22 on right. Photo from board linked above.
My neighbor is a Tim Taylor type and just had to have the biggest, even though he never cooks for more than 2-4 people. He finally admitted that he made a mistake getting the 22 because it is a fuel hog. Hasn't used it in years. Just fires the kettle.
Another comparison shot:
This post was edited on 5/20/21 at 6:08 am
Posted on 5/20/21 at 7:36 am to Twenty 49
quote:
. I have the 18 and have cooked tons of whole packer briskets
What size whole packers are you able to fit on your 18? Where do you find them? I have the 18 and struggle to find any that will fit.
Posted on 5/20/21 at 8:09 am to 22jctiger22
quote:
What size whole packers are you able to fit on your 18? Where do you find them?
My notes show they have ranged from 12 to 17+. Most common was a little over 14 lbs. Mainly buy at Sam's.
If it is a long one, I sometimes tuck under the tail of the flat at the beginning, but it shrinks quickly as it cooks.
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