Weber Kettle Club Forums

Cooking & Food Talk => Charcoal Grilling & BBQ => Topic started by: Bbqmiller on October 12, 2013, 05:14:09 PM

Title: 14 WSM first cook
Post by: Bbqmiller on October 12, 2013, 05:14:09 PM

Well, after I cleaned up the leaves today, it was time to fire this little puppy up.
Lighting some coals with the small chimney
(http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i480/okmiller/null_zpsb481babb.jpg)
Half ring of TJ's briquettes with a chunk of mulberry
(http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i480/okmiller/null_zpsc215fbc8.jpg)
Maverick thermo via the silicon grommet.
(http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i480/okmiller/null_zpsd9ad8846.jpg)
Chugging along
(http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i480/okmiller/null_zps425c45cc.jpg)
Looks tiny next to the 26
(http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i480/okmiller/null_zps7a12a674.jpg)
Chicken leg quarters done
(http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i480/okmiller/null_zps00280a15.jpg)
These were tasty - they were rubbed with plowboys yardbird.
(http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i480/okmiller/null_zps07e6e057.jpg)

Temp control was great. I did use water in the pan, and ran it around 250 or so. They were done in a about 2 hours. Had vents wide open, but shut two lower vents towards the end.

Tomorrow's menu is a Jack Daniels-honey brined turkey breast.

Title: Re: 14 WSM first cook
Post by: Bob BQ on October 12, 2013, 05:18:49 PM

Thanks for sharing... Looks great with the wood handle!

Title: Re: 14 WSM first cook
Post by: landgraftj on October 12, 2013, 06:15:18 PM

Looking good! You really need to post the JD honey brined turkey. Love me some JD!

Title: 14 WSM first cook
Post by: Bbqmiller on October 13, 2013, 07:37:43 AM

Just cleaning up after last nights cook - a lot of coals left.
(http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i480/okmiller/null_zps6db2a46a.jpg)
Quick and easy cleanup ready for today's brined turkey breast - what is that red thing on the table.
(http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i480/okmiller/null_zps1d06949b.jpg)

Title: Re: 14 WSM first cook
Post by: G$ on October 13, 2013, 07:48:35 AM

I see you had the temp probe on the bottom grate, and the top was "full" with food.  Do you think this effected your temp readings? 

By this i mean, on the larger WSMs the bottom grate is typically hotter especially if you run the pan dry. Also, putting a therm under a big mass of meat sometimes monkeys with temps.

Obviously your cook turned out super, i just wonder what differences may have been at top grate vs. bottom on that cook.  Can't wait to see this next one!

Title: Re: 14 WSM first cook
Post by: HankB on October 13, 2013, 08:00:31 AM

You have great looking legs!  8) (I also like the chimney collection. I have the same but the oldest one is now rusted through in some spots. However it still soldiers on when needed.)

One question I have not seen answered is about the heat shield/ash pan that some parts diagrams show inside the bowl. Is there anything under the charcoal grate in this cooker? I can see it does not have the heat shield on the outside like the newer WSMs.

Title: 14 WSM first cook
Post by: Bbqmiller on October 13, 2013, 08:48:13 AM

Quote from: G$ on October 13, 2013, 07:48:35 AM

I see you had the temp probe on the bottom grate, and the top was "full" with food.  Do you think this effected your temp readings? 

By this i mean, on the larger WSMs the bottom grate is typically hotter especially if you run the pan dry. Also, putting a therm under a big mass of meat sometimes monkeys with temps.

Obviously your cook turned out super, i just wonder what differences may have been at top grate vs. bottom on that cook.  Can't wait to see this next one!

I had food on both grates and water in the pan. Early on in the cook the temps were very similar. Towards the end the lid temp was higher (~30 C). I wanted to see how the temps varied from the bottom grate vs lid. I feel after a few cooks, I won't need the maverick and can base everything off of the lid thermo.  Temp control was a breeze - it is very responsive to vent changes.

Title: 14 WSM first cook
Post by: Bbqmiller on October 13, 2013, 08:53:16 AM

Quote from: HankB on October 13, 2013, 08:00:31 AM

You have great looking legs!  8) (I also like the chimney collection. I have the same but the oldest one is now rusted through in some spots. However it still soldiers on when needed.)

One question I have not seen answered is about the heat shield/ash pan that some parts diagrams show inside the bowl. Is there anything under the charcoal grate in this cooker? I can see it does not have the heat shield on the outside like the newer WSMs.

The heat shield sits beneath the charcoal grate. I was worried as there isn't much room underneath the grate. Figured ash will fill up quickly. It doesn't seem to matter as the bottom vents sit high. You would need a lot of ash to clog them up.
(http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i480/okmiller/null_zpsd289f443.jpg)

Title: Re: 14 WSM first cook
Post by: sparky on October 13, 2013, 09:03:45 AM

Great lookin cook ! It is a fun little smoker :)

Title: Re: 14 WSM first cook
Post by: Weber MD on October 13, 2013, 11:59:09 AM

Man, that's a sweet lil smoker.  That chicken looked moist.

Title: 14 WSM first cook
Post by: Bbqmiller on October 13, 2013, 12:54:22 PM

Quote from: Weber MD on October 13, 2013, 11:59:09 AM

Man, that's a sweet lil smoker.  That chicken looked moist.

It was. My 6 year old son really liked it. It's portability is one of the pluses. Especially when you want to cook a small amount food.

Title: 14 WSM first cook
Post by: Bbqmiller on October 13, 2013, 12:55:16 PM

Quote from: sparky on October 13, 2013, 09:03:45 AM

Great lookin cook ! It is a fun little smoker :)

Agreed - it is a fun little smoker.

Title: Re: 14 WSM first cook
Post by: Weber MD on October 13, 2013, 01:20:43 PM

It's on my Christmas list.  That grommet will come in handy.