Like the title says,
Who hear has done WSM upgrades? If so, what have you done, replaced door, gaskets?
If you have, what noticeable difference has it
made if any?
Thanks in advance,
JD
Grill/Smoke/Roast = SnS Grills Kettle + SnS Deluxe Insert & Drip n' Griddle
Grill/Smoke/Roast = Hasty-Bake Gourmet Dual Finish with HB rotisserie and Grill Grates
Smoke = Weber Smokey Mountain 22.5"
Pizza = Blackstone Propane Pizza Oven (Stacy's, but she let's me use it sometimes)
Indoor Cooking = LG Studio 30" gas range
Camp Cooking = Coleman 2 burner white gas stove
Thermometer = FireBoard FBX2 with 2 ambient and 6 meat probes
Thermapen Mk IV = Light blue
Thermapen Mk IV = Black
PID Controller = Fireboard Drive + Auber 20 CFM Fan (FB gen 1 fan)
PID Controller = Fireboard Drive + Fireboard 20 CFM Fan (FB gen 2 fan)
Knives
Wusthof Classic Ikon set: 9" carving knive, 2X 8" Chef's Knife, 7" Santoku and three utility knives
Kamikoto Kuro set: 7" Santoku, 6.5" Nakiri, 5" Utility
Amazing Ribs Brazilian Steak knife set
Favorite wine = whatever is currently in the wine rack
Favorite beer = Sam Adams Boston Lager or Shiner Bock
Favorite whisky = Lagavulin Distiller's Edition 16 year old single malt
Best Cookbooks - Meathead's "The Science of Great Barbecue and Grilling", Chris Lilly's "Big Bob Gibson's BBQ Book", Aaron Franklin's "Franklin BBQ"
Cookbooks to check out - Raichlen's "Brisket Chronicles" and anything by Adam Perry Lang.
Current fanboy cookbook - "Chasing Smoke: Cooking Over Fire Around the Levant"
I haven’t done anything to mine. But I’ve considered these options mentioned. I looked at the door but I wasn’t sure if it’s worth it. I’ve read a lot of positive reviews on it and some not so positive. I like the idea of the a hinge and almost pulled the trigger but then someone pointed out that I’d need to get another cover because the Weber stock one won’t fit. I have a large patio so it’s not a huge problem to find a spot to put the lid. But I do like the idea of a hinge. Wheels: I really wish Weber would just add them in the first place. I keep mine underneath my soffit when it’s not I use and oh I’d love to be able to just roll it over. This is something I may add but I’m not sure. I’ve looked at different charcoal baskets and like the looks of the Arbor Fab one the most. But again I’m still not sure if I want to buy it. I also looked at an insultes cover to use it in the winter that I found online. It was a company out in California. It was nice but really expensive. When I priced these mods out (plus shipping) it came out to like $400. While I love my WSM I also love my pellet smoker too and most of these mods I looked at were for winter cooking. The pellet smoker serves that role mighty fine.
For a cover. I bought the 22 kettle cover, and had my mother in law stitch a black very similar fabric, extension to almost the ground. It is a nice fit, even with the hinge. I personally do not like the hinge, and wish they would have never installed it. I am left with holes for bolts that are not needed. I’m about a 75 percent fan of the door. Good wheels are worth it, if y0u are on a smooth surface, if not smooth, not so great,
I put garage door handles on mid section for handling, I find them handy. Not sure everyone would find them useful. I store the midsection upside down when not in use to keep rain out.
I also have a Billows. I haven’t attempted an overnight cook on my WSM in a few years because I had a few flameouts with some butts. Strong IPAs consumed on those night night have played a hand in me not checking my coals…….
I did the Cajun Bandit Door, hinge kit, & wheel kit. I also added side handles to the middle section, got the upgraded charcoal basket from arbor fabrication, and changed out the stock lid thermometer. I think each mod was worthwhile and added to the WSM to make it an even better smoker.
Have a WSM22. Upgrades:
1. Cajun Bandit door
2. Cajun bandit charcoal ring (SS and larger than stock)
3. Cajun Bandit water pan (SS and larger than stock)
4. Cajun Bandit folding side table.
5. Pit Viper fan and fan port for WSM.
6. Firebird v1
Might do in future:
1. Upgrade thermometer. (not sure I want to drill into the metal. don't really use the lid thermometer anyway)
2. Top hinge kit. (not sure I want to drill into the metal)
3. Wheels. (don't move mine but if I change where I do my cooking, might want to make my WSM mobile)
4. Gaskets for door and between sections. (don't really find this necessary)
Since I use a Fireboard, I never saw a need to upgrade the dome thermometer. The top hing kit is great! Get a step down drill bit at your hardware store. Use a punch to get a starting point for drilling, then drill to your necessary bolt size. Not too difficult, and makes a huge difference. I’ve never seen any issue with the WSM 22 not sealing up nicely, so have never bothered with gaskets.
Agree on the dome thermometer. My thermometer hasn't worked since about a year after I got the WSM. Got water in it when cleaning the inside of my WSM and it hasn't worked since. Using the Fireboard makes the top thermometer obsolete. My sections and SS door seal pretty well so no need for gaskets. Maybe I'll look into the hinge kit again.
Yeah, I’m sure if I still had the stock door I’d be sealing it. From what I see, that stock door basically acts like a second chimney …. Pulls way too much air through the WSM and would make it very difficult to maintain steady 225-250 without choking out the fire from the bottom vents.
all are good suggestions, but if you're gonna do anything make sure you do the gasket--use Island BBQ gasket---I have on my WSM and Kettle---absolutely necessary
Cooking gadgets
Weber Summit Charcoal Grill Center
Weber Summit Platinum D6
Blue Rhino Razor
Dyna-Glo XL Premium Dual Chamber
Camp Chef Somerset IV along with their Artisan Pizza Oven 90
Anova WiFi
Thermometers
Thermapen Mk4 - ThermaQ High Temp Kit - ThermaQ Meathead Kit - ThermaQ WiFi - ThermoWorks IR-GUN-S - ThermoWorks Signals & Billows - ThermoPop -ThermoWorks ProNeedle - ThermoWorks TimeStick Trio x2 - and a Christopher Kimball timer - NO, I do not work for ThermoWorks...I just like their products.
Other useful bits...
KitchenAid 7-qt Pro Line stand mixer
A Black & Decker food processor that I can't seem to murder
A couple of immersion blenders, one a "consumer" model & the other a "high end" Italian thing. Yes, the Italian one is a bit better, but only marginally
Instant Pot Duo Evo Plus 8-qt + accessories like egg-bite & egg holders
All-Clad pots & pans, along with some cast iron...everything from 7" Skookie pans to 8.5qt Dutch ovens
Weber GBS griddle, pizza stone, and wok
Knives range from Mercer to F. Dick to "You spent how much for one knife? One knife?!" LOL
Considered the hinge but never got around to it. Probably would have been the most useful mod for my needs. Though simply removing the lid was never really an issue…the hinge would have just made it a bit better.
Also almost got the Cajun Bandit door…but that was really more about aesthetics than functionality as I never had any problems with my stock door.
All my cookers tend to stay in place year round, so wheels are pretty much superfluous for me. About the only time anything gets moved is when a new toy joins the party.
Comment