Weber Kettle Club Forums
Cooking & Food Talk => Charcoal Grilling & BBQ => Topic started by: blieb on August 27, 2015, 07:11:57 PM
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What do you think? WSM 14.5 or Mini WSM project?
I'm torn. I like the idea of a small batch smoker, something we can take on vacation. The WSM 14.5 seems appropriate.
But then I'm reading about all the Mini WSM's people make from Smokey Joes. Seems nice because you can leave out the pot and grill.
Few years ago I wanted to make an UDS, just never got around to it and got a sweet deal on a 22" WSM.
I need to make a decision this weekend. Whatever I do is coming with me to a bachelor weekend next week.
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Mini. They are cheap, fun to make, and work incredibly well. For a small portable smoker, you don't need much more.
Winz
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I love my mini wsm. Definitely does a great job; extremely pleased with the results I've gotten over the last couple-few years. Never thought I'd even want a 14.5 WSM. That being said, I just picked up a 14.5 WSM on clearance @ Target last night for $60 (which is probably less than the cost to make a mini); for that price, there was no way I could pass it up. Now I can't wait to try it out!
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@Bob BQ I was at Target last night and they had a Smokey Joe for $15 and an 18.5 for $35. I have NEVER seen a Smokey Joe at Target even back in STL. Is there any way to find out what Targets may have them? What a great score!
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@Bob BQ I was at Target last night and they had a Smokey Joe for $15 and an 18.5 for $35. I have NEVER seen a Smokey Joe at Target even back in STL. Is there any way to find out what Targets may have them? What a great score!
They usually don't discount the SJ's. There are several threads covering the Target clearance & how to tell what they have in stock & for how much:
http://weberkettleclub.com/forums/trading-post/target-weber-clearance-has-started-(ymmv)/
http://weberkettleclub.com/forums/trading-post/weber-22s-49-98-target/msg173597/#msg173597
http://weberkettleclub.com/forums/weber-kettles-accessories/weber-kettle-for-under-$50-at-target/
…and now back to your regularly scheduled thread...
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I love my mini, it's my go to cooker for appetizers, moinks, scotch eggs and the like.
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I love the versatility of my mini. I love the portability of my mini. I have craycorts for my mini. I would not pass up the chance to own a WSM.
Jeep
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If you don't mind spending the money, and you don't want/need a portable grill, then get the WSM. If you don't want to spend $200 and want or need a portable grill, build a mini.
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Thanks for the replies! It's great to see all the MINI love.
I have a WSM 22" ... I found a WSM 14.5" for a good deal. Have approval from Mrs. Blieb.
I want to have enough time to do the MINI right. Since I'm going to a bachelor thing next weeekend, I'll need to do a couple break-in smokes this weekend to get it dailed in.
Thinking I'll pick up the 14.5", then go covert ops for the MINI because I can piece that together without needing to budget.
N+1!!!
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Thanks for the replies! It's great to see all the MINI love.
I have a WSM 22" ... I found a WSM 14.5" for a good deal. Have approval from Mrs. Blieb.
I want to have enough time to do the MINI right. Since I'm going to a bachelor thing next weeekend, I'll need to do a couple break-in smokes this weekend to get it dailed in.
Thinking I'll pick up the 14.5", then go covert ops for the MINI because I can piece that together without needing to budget.
N+1!!!
My thoughts exactly. Why choose? Probably the best way for both.
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Too tempting to pass up. For a month or more, there were TWO at the Walmart nearest to my house (~3 miles) at $154. Then when the Mrs. finally caved, they were back to $199. She actually bought me one covertly for father's day. I returned it. I refused to pay full price when it was selling for $154 just days earlier.
Thanks @crumbsnatcher for mentioning the Walmart APP in another thread, and how to see lower local price.
I saw the Walmart about 8 miles away (long drive, I know) had them at $154. BAM! They had 7 of these beauties!
3535 Apalachee Pkwy, zip 32311
Now I'll start casually acquiring MINI parts. N+1.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/h0XvRuwS7zdasA2TB4fHKyU718qX_ChWUXfbG9wErhma=w600-h799-no)
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@blieb I'm glad to hear someone was able to capitalize on the sale. I actually read about the sale on the slickdeals.net site. If I didn't already have an 18.5" WSM, I'd probably spring for one. Let us know what you think after you get some cooks under your belt with this little guy.
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Glad you were able to pick one up! I ran into a Walmart this evening (they also had a 14.5 at $154), to see if they would price match the Target $59.98 clearance price. They would not. Worth a shot...
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I'm probably going to swing through local Target this weekend just in case they have anything at insane prices.
And of course some $9 charcoal at Lowe's / HD.
So much to do, I don't know, I don't know if we'll have enough time!
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Made mine. Fun to make, and only $125 with paint. (http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/08/29/f91678ce0eab02727c127f37837704fa.jpg)
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Haven't used the mini since I bought the WSM last fall!
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Assembled last night. Lid just didn't fit right. I tried to hug the unit and reshape a little, but then I noticed some enamel notches on the inside rim.
Swapped it out for another, checked before I left the store. PERFECT.
Threw some pork belly on there earlier to season and get some grease in the nooks and crannys.
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@blieb That Walmart is 2 minutes from my office.. Must resist temptation. Thanks for the heads up
Just FYI, at Earthfare this weekend I saw they had prime packer brisket for $3.99/lb and pork belly for $2.99
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@jdefran so far, it's cute. No regrets. When I use the WSM 22", I dump an 18-20lb bag of charcoal in - big space to heat. This 14.5" sucker uses a fraction of that, so far I'm amazed.
I'm definitely going to check out Earthfare, thanks for the tip! I've only been in there once. I saw they have a killer prime rib night, but haven't checked it out.
If the brisket is cryovac'd it will last for a long time in the freezer.
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I'm about to start my mini build this week with a uline lime. I'll try to document as I go!
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I loved my mini but haven't used since i got my 18" wsm. That said it was between a full price 14" WSM and a Mini, i go mini all day. Less expensive and and a great conversation piece. If the 14" was on clearance then its a much tougher call...
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I use my mini for ribs and chicken and such, since I can get 7-8 hours...use the big boy for longer cooks.
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I have a mini WSM and an 18.5 WSM. Just like a mini you could grill on the 14.5 WSM in a pinch. You can take the middle section off and put the lid on it... You get a round weber grill. If you are trying to save funds go with the mini and don't paint.
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I was comtemplating a mini but when I found a 14.5 for $100.00 at Camping World I bought it. After 3 cooks I a very satisfied.
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Plus with the mini you get the smokey joe to use also by itself, I love mine. @jfbincypress nice build!
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Thanks Josh!
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14.5" hands down..im sure the mods work well...but how can you beat a weber wsm factory build. I think the 14.5" is often overlooked as a prime weber product
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(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/09/19/7807ecc92de16a771f9fc8830124b42a.jpg)
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Love my mini. Use it for ribs and small
Brisket flats. My only problem is the pot
I bought is aluminum from kitchen supplier
An when it gets warm it expands and gets
Stuck to the base so I can't add any more fuel
During the cook? Any suggestions?
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@Lemans
With some of the aluminum pots, you can attach the lid that came with the pot to the bottom of the pot. That way, the whole thing rests on the rim of the SJ bowl and not inside the SJ bowl. I saw this mod posted somewhere else and decided to do it. The whole thing is way more stable doing it like this. Oh, I used the Vasconia steamer for my Mini build. I'm not sure if the IMUSA pots, or others will work the same.
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/04/23/6a162066b2a4cd1995e2094f8a6ac427.jpg)
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/04/23/ac7bbcdabe452353fb72f115c85c19c1.jpg)
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@LemansI'm not sure if the IMUSA pots, or others will work the same
IMUSA pot will work, as well.
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(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/09/19/7807ecc92de16a771f9fc8830124b42a.jpg)
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yep
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I love my mini! I kind of went a little overboard painting and got a bigger pot and what not. I don't think it came out much cheaper then $150...
(http://i822.photobucket.com/albums/zz145/tmbrookeolemiss/Smoker/IMG_2727.jpg) (http://s822.photobucket.com/user/tmbrookeolemiss/media/Smoker/IMG_2727.jpg.html)
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(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/09/19/7807ecc92de16a771f9fc8830124b42a.jpg)
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yep
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5673/21785755616_3dff539427_c.jpg)
Yup
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Personally I prefer my Mini Drum Smoker.
(http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t310/swamprb/Ugly%20Drum%20Smoker/IMG_1124.jpg)
....but then again, maybe not??
(http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t310/swamprb/Ugly%20Drum%20Smoker/Weber/IMG_1284.jpg)