Just got it delivered today!! Took it out of the box and so far that's it. Will cook with it this coming weekend.....Garland since you are the expert with the WSM....any words of advice?

Doug

Have fun with your new toy!!

Hope you have fun with it.

you're gonna love it!

congrats doug, i hear that some guys are useing a smaller charcoal ring to keep temps lower

Use the smaller charcoal ring from an 18/12 inch WSM, if you have one. It seems to provide sufficient heat for low & slow. As I am sure you already know, a bigger fire creates more heat. IMHO, the difference in the size of the smaller vs. larger WSM is not enough to cause that much difference in thermal dissipation.

If you don’t have a smaller charcoal ring, I would put something in the larger ring to take up some space. Like a fire brick or two. Something safe and able to withstand the fire. It should reduce the fuel level and provide some heat stability.

I would use the minion method and only start about 15 to 20 coals at the beginning. This will help with control ramping up to your target temp. You don’t want to overshoot your target temp as the WSMs are easier to heat up then cool down. Once the WSM has settled down in your target range, only make small adjustments with the bottom vents. Keep the top vent fully open at all times.

Also, I wouldn’t load the cooker up full during my first cook. I would only cook at half capacity for the first time to establish a reference point for future cooks.

I believe Captain Morgan has a large WSM. Maybe he can chime in with some advise from his experience.

heck I just load it up and fire it up. If this is your first wsm you need to head
over the virtual weber bullet forum and get the best instructions for any grill
anywhere. Almost everyone I know with a wsm learned from that forum.
If you don't have a smaller charcoal ring, you can just use less charcoal in the
big ring. Garland is right about cooling it down. Start shutting down your lower
vents as it climbs, not when it gets to your target temp. Once it locks in,
it'll hold those temps like magic if it's protected from the elements.

it is a good site. thanks guys

al so you can ck out lowslowbbq.com good step by step instruction