Entering the wonderful world of the WSM

[Craig]

Last July, I received my first ever (and only so far) WSM from member Jeep. He was nice enough to pass this along to me to add to the stable. A big THANK YOU goes out to @Jeep ! Appropriately, for a kettle historian geekwad like me, I'm grateful and fortunate to have my first WSM be one of the originals. A 1981 C code 2880. It came with the original instructions and recipe/cooking chart. I finally got some time to get it cleaned up and reassembled with SS bolts. Clean up was pretty easy, the main body and bowl/lid just got a once over wash. The steel legs and door needed a little more elbow grease. Not all of the rust/patina is gone. The legs have a nice patina look to them. The legs are rock solid! Original grates. I am beyond stoked!

Early enough to only have the one row of air holes in the charcoal ring. I believe the second row was added early on? @Harbormaster ?




















The knob that came with it. I'm having trouble getting it to stay on. So for now I'm improvising with a screw and wingnut for a latch.









Of course I had to rededicate it with some St. Louis style ribs.







4 1/2 hours later...






Between this and the 22 CB stacker that I've had for a couple years, I'm ready to smoke it up "BIG TIMES! YUP YUP". This ones a keeper!

[jcnaz]

That one is a beauty, Craig!

[iCARRY]

Nice maiden cook for you. Looks great. Welcome to the club.


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[Travis]

Very cool!


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[addicted-to-smoke]

Interesting about the charcoal ring. With so many people having to close down their vents and/or seal these machines, I'm surprised they added extra holes.

[Mac]

Congrats.  It looks right at home in that corner.  Good job on the spares too.

[MrHoss]

Love that top handle. Although it is your first WSM Craig I am convinced the learning curve will be short.

[Scott Zee]

Welcome to the "C" club @Craig    love the orange peel on the old WSM's

[Jeff]

Nice one Craig! I've got that exact one too! Use it and abuse it!

[Big Dawg]

Great Job ! ! !

(On both the restoration & ribs!)





BD

[Kamado_fan_UK]

Great job-WSM's are awesome smokers-great looking ribs too!!

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[Winz]

I must admit - I am shocked that this is your first WSM, being the kettle expert that you are.  That said, you entered the WSM world in high style - not that we would expect anything less!


Winz

[GregS]

congrats craig! 

[WNC]

Man that's a fine piece of wsm history!
Great score and ribs too!