WSM 18.5"

[225tostayalive]

bought a used Smokey Joe Gold the other day and the seller mentioned he had a 18.5 he wanted to unload  that was at his cottage

he says it is a pre 2008 model  asking 150 bucks  which seems like a fair price if it is in decent shape

he will send photos of it this weekend before i go over to see it

I always wanted a 22.5 WSM but up here they are over 500 bucks new taxes incl

I feel 18.5 will be adequate for what I will use it for but my question is the pre 2008 model

I know there were some improvements made for the 2009 model year    should I hold out for a newer model?

any suggestions?

[landgraftj]

Nothing different really on the WSM. The pre 2008 may not have a therm in the lid and it may have the smaller water pan. Other that that they are all pretty much the same. $150 is a good deal. If it's in good shape then grab it. I have a 14, 18, and 22. Paid $150 for my 22 but the others were bought new. The 18 does a fine job feeding my family of four.

[mike.stavlund]

+1 for the older style WSM. 

If it's in good shape and the pieces fit together snugly, I'd go for it.  You can add a lid therm if you like, and same for a larger water pan.  But those parts aren't at all essential for successful cooking.

(One thing I *wouldn't* do is clean that WSM back to shiny-- at least on the inside.  Unless it smells funky, you're better off with that gunk, which helps to seal up the sections and keep the smoker cooking at the proper temps.)