Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker: Buy The Best & Only Cry Once!

If you're interested in creating real, slow-cooked barbecue, and you're in the market for an affordable, high-quality barbecue cooker for the backyard or barbecue competition, then the Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker Smoker should be at the top of your list.

First, let's make sure we have our terminology straight. In the context of this review, barbecue is defined as cooking large cuts of meat (brisket, pork shoulder, ribs, whole chickens) at low temperatures (200-250*F) for long periods of time (4 to 16 hours) using only the heat and smoke from a real wood or charcoal fire. Barbecue should not be confused with grilling--cooking small cuts of meat (steaks, burgers, chicken pieces) at high temperatures (350*F and up) for a short period of time.

The Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker Smoker (or WSM for short) is a specialty grill made by Weber that is designed specifically to produce old-fashioned barbecue meats, cooked "low and slow" over charcoal and smoke wood. It is comprised of three sections--a charcoal bowl, where the charcoal briquettes and smoke wood reside; a cooking section containing a water pan and two 18" diameter cooking grates; and a classic Weber domed lid.

The two 18" diameter 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 racks of baby back ribs--and are triple chrome plated for easy cleanup and durability. The water pan shields the meat from the direct heat of 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 220-250*F temperature for eight to ten hours or longer with minimal effort. Three adjustable vents in the charcoal bowl and one adjustable vent in the lid give precise control over air intake for 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 45 pounds). Vents, legs, and access door are made of rust-resistant aluminum. The durable domed lid handle will provide years of reliable service, and a premium-grade cover is included that will help protect your investment in Weber quality. The WSM is also backed by a five year limited warranty and Weber's excellent customer service and phone 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.

The Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker Smoker lists for about $189 at retail, but may be found at Web retailers for $179. It cost several times more than some competitive models, but as they say, "buy the best, and only cry once."

You won't find the WSM as easily as a Weber charcoal kettle or Weber gas grill. Start with large national or regional BBQ chain stores, better home and garden centers, and high-end pool and patio specialty stores. You can call Weber or check their Web site to locate a dealer in your area. Some Weber dealers will place a special order if they don't carry the WSM.

For more information about the Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker Smoker, including lots of pictures of the unit and its component parts, cooking examples, usage tips, frequently asked questions, and an interactive bulletin board where you can ask questions and share information with other WSM enthusiasts, visit The Virtual Weber Bullet web site at http://www.virtualweberbullet.com