Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker

[Attjack]

How many people do you figure the 22" would feed at full capacity? Peggy might not need that much space.

[Mr. Bones]

WSM's smoke stuff jus fine, an there are folks who've won National BBQ Championships, usin em...

Welcome, an wishin ya th best of luck, in yer decision,,,,

BTW: Snazzy Brim ya got, goin on there, Lady!

[DavidNorcross]

Welcome Peggy. You came to the right place. I do not have an WSM now but have in the past. Great smoker. You have already gotten great advice. Does he have other cookers? Depending upon the rest of his lineup, I would also echo the SNS Kettle.

[ecowper]

Hi Peggy and welcome to Pitmaster! It’s a very friendly place, for sure. No flame wars happen here. Except over what we put in our chili, but that’s another story ;-) …. Anyhow, I have a Weber Smokey Mountain 22” and think it is outstanding. I would highly recommend getting the 22” just because of the amount of food it can cook. It has two racks and each can handle a full brisket or 3 racks of ribs laid flat. Two weeks ago, I cooked 2 pork shoulders and 3 racks of ribs in mine and it handled it like a champ.

The WSM 22 costs about $400. Plus you could buy him a box of wood chunks from Fruitawood for adding to the fire for smoke. And you will be right there, price wise. And he will think you are amazing!

[Attjack]

With a $500 budget, you could purchase an 18" WSM and a fan and controller. That would deliver a set it and forget it smoking experience.

[STEbbq]

Another option is the Masterbuilt Gravity smoker. Mine is pretty awesome.

https://www.masterbuilt.com/collections/gravity-series

[radiodome21]

I love mine. It took some time to figure it out but that’s part of the fun. I added a pellet grill to compliment it and still use it.

[Jared49]

⬆️ What he said and welcome to the pit family. I have WSM 18.5” and love it. He will love the 22”

[STEbbq]

Bronco experiences here:

https://pitmaster.amazingribs.com/forum/charcoal-drums-barrels-and-bullet-smokers/oklahoma-joe-bronco

[STEbbq]

Yup. If your husband has something already to grill steaks, then the WSM is a good choice. Another option is the Oklahoma Joe Bronco barrel smoker, which is just $350.

https://www.oklahomajoes.com/bronco-drum-smoker

if he does not have a grill already for steaks, then it is hard to go wrong with a SNS grill which is essentially a Weber kettle with a bunch of thoughtful upgrades that most Weber owners have to make to their kettles anyway.

https://snsgrills.com/products/original-kettle-grill?variant=39292623552548

[RonB]

+ 1 and welcome to The Pit.

[SmokingPat]

I've had a WSM 18" for 5 years, and I'd buy it again if it broke (which it won't).

[Henrik]

I’m a big fan of the WSM. Easy to use, and easy to keep temps on. I don’t own one, but have used it several times.

[Steve R.]

I think the Weber Smokey Mountain would be a fine choice in your price range. I have the 22.5" and really like it, although I am still learning the ins and outs of it.

[Jfrosty27]

The WSN smoker is certainly a good cooker. As noted above, not a set and forget cooker though. Perhaps as alternatives a Pit Barrel Cooker? (PBC)
Or an Oklahoma Joe’s Bronco?