Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker Smoker Product Information & Photos	Last updated: 08/11/2010

What is the Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker Smoker? Just scroll down the page past the Self-Guided Tours section and I'll give you an overview.

In the Self-Guided Tours section:

• You'll find detailed photos and descriptions of all the component parts that make up the Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker.
• You'll see how the unit is packaged for shipping to your home and how you assemble it once it arrives.
• I'll tell you about some problem areas to be on the look-out for when unpacking and assembling a new Weber Bullet.
• I'll toss in some WSM history just for fun.
• Finally, don't forget to check-out the WSM video tour.

I hope you find these articles interesting and informative, especially if you're considering the purchase of a Weber Bullet. Have fun exploring!
 

Do you want to create old-fashioned, slow-cooked barbecue? Are you looking for an affordable, easy-to-use, high-quality barbecue cooker for use in the backyard or in barbecue competitions? If so, the Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker Smoker should be at the top of your list.

The Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker Smoker (Weber Bullet or WSM for short) is a specialty grill made by the Weber-Stephen Products Co. It comes in two sizes: 18-1/2" diameter and 22-1/2" diameter. Both WSMs are specifically designed to produce barbecued meats cooked "low and slow" over charcoal and smoke wood.

The cooker is comprised of three sections—a charcoal bowl, where the charcoal briquettes and smoke wood reside; a cooking section containing a water pan, two cooking grates, and an access door; and a classic Weber domed lid.

Two cooking grates provide plenty of space to cook large quantities of barbecue—for example, two large briskets, or four Boston butts, or six whole chickens, or eight slabs of baby back ribs—and are triple chrome plated for easy cleanup and durability. The water pan shields the meat from the coals, creating an indirect heat source that's essential when cooking barbecue. The water in the pan also moderates the cooker temperature and provides a moist cooking environment which benefits certain cuts of meat.

Temperature control is one of the most important aspects of creating great barbecue, and the near air-tight design of the WSM allows you to maintain the perfect 225-275°F temperature for eight to ten hours or longer with minimal effort. Three adjustable vents in the 18-1/2" charcoal bowl (four vents in the 22-1/2" charcoal bowl) and one adjustable vent in the lid give precise control over fuel combustion. With other competitive products, poor fitting parts and leaky designs have you constantly "babysitting" the fire to make sure it's not too hot or too cold. With the WSM, you can cook for many hours without making any adjustments at all.

A convenient access door is mounted in the side of the cooking section so you can add water or smoke wood during cooking without disassembling the cooker. Three sturdy legs attached to the bottom of the charcoal bowl provide stable support for the unit.

Like all Weber products, the WSM is built to Weber's high standards of quality. Porcelain enamel on heavy-gauge steel construction gives the unit substance—about 37 pounds for the 18-1/2" model, 52 pounds for the 22-1/2" model—when assembled. Vents, legs, and access door are made of rust-resistant aluminum. The durable lid handle will provide years of reliable service, and a premium-grade vinyl cover is included to help protect your investment in Weber quality.

The WSM is also backed by a 10-year limited warranty and Weber's excellent customer service and toll-free telephone support.

Assembly takes only a few minutes...just attach the three legs to the charcoal bowl and four support brackets in the cooking section using the screws, washers, and nuts provided. The only tools needed are a straight-blade screwdriver and a small adjustable wrench. Easy to follow assembly instructions are provided, and an informative Owner's Manual and recipe book is included.

"Save for its lack of handles, (the Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker) literally smoked the competition: Plenty of cooking space, a water pan, and multiple vents that allowed for precise temperature control added up to meat that came off the fire consistently moist and smoky with little tending necessary."

- Cook's Illustrated magazine, July/August 2010

List price for the 18-1/2" WSM is $349, but may be purchased online for about $299. List price of the 22-1/2" WSM is $499, but may be purchased online for about $399.

Both of these cookers cost several times more than competitive models, but as they say, "Buy the best, and only cry once."

Photograph of Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker cutaway: 2003 by Amazon.com.
Photographs of 18-1/2" & 22-1/2" Weber Smokey Mountain Cookers: 2008 by Weber-Stephen Products Co.

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