I'm A Smoker & Proud of It!

Smokey Mountain Cooker Smoker
 
I am fortunate enough to live in an area of the country where we can BBQ probably 10 months out of the year. Heck, it's November and I sit and write this in shorts and a tank top and will most likely be using this grill this evening! Enough of the joys of living in the South. We southerners are renown for our BBQ and if you've ever ventured down our way and sampled the fares you might well agree. Being a BBQ master down in these parts sets you into a status level equivalent to being a doctor or lawyer in other parts of the country! BBQ in the south is not a quick process, I've had smokers going through the night to get the brisket to just the right flavor and doneness. Grilling is different and much quicker. Smoking is accomplished by cooking your meat at a lower temperature, not right over the coals for an extended period of time. So if you're in the mood for dogs and burgers break out the grill, if you're hankerin' for some good 'ole fashioned brisket, juicy turkey, or mouth watering ribs, then this smoker may be just what you need. So with the BBQ history of the south out of the way I will fill you in on the finer details of my Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker/Smoker.

I choose this model for several reasons: 1) Great price 2) Style & Functionality and 3) Weber's fine reputation for quality products.
 
Out of the Box
I like appliances that if assembly is required, I can do myself. I don't like waiting for my husband to "get around to it", I'd still be waiting. I like to read manuals and find places for all necessary screws, etc. Whenever the other adult in this house assembles somethings there is usually a handful of extra parts that haven't found a home, that really bugs me. Yes, I know products usually come with a couple of extra's, but that unopened entire bag of hardware makes this writer more than nervous. So back to the grill, the Weber Smokey is easy to put together and I accomplished the task in less than 1/2 hour. The instructions were easy to understand and didn't require an engineering degreee to finish the job. No power tools were even required. Simply attach the 3 legs with the bolts and washers provided. Then you will attach the brackets that hold your water pan and grates in the same fashion.

From the bottom up this is a quality grill. The bottom pan is for your charcoal. I lined this pan and don't change until after 3 or 4 uses (the aluminum that is). Above the charcoal pan you will place your water pan. The water pan is where you place water and your wood chips and other secret ingredients for smoking. I enjoy smoking chicken and turkey alike because the meat stays so much more moist than when grilling. You will find a fuel door that makes stirring your charcoal or adding more a breeze when cooking for 4 - 8 hours at a time you may you want to add water or fuel to the fire. Above the water pan you can place your first grate. When smoking I like the ability to have 2 grates which this Weber comes equipped with. You can cook twice as much or when cooking small items you can "cross hatch" the grates so nothing falls through. On the lid of the cooker you will find a thermostat and and two adjustable air vents which will allow just the right air flow into the unit to perfect your cooking process. If your a dimensional kind of person you may want to know that the grill stands 41" tall from ground to lid, is 19" wide and 18.75" deep. I'd say it weighs in at around 40 pounds.

Looks
My Weber has a porcelain-enameled bowl and lid which makes it so easy to clean. At Weber's suggestion I did line my bowls with heavy-duty aluminum foil for even easier cleaning. The cooker also came with a nice, heavy vinyl cover that protects it outside.

Size does Matter
The size of the grill makes it perfect for our family. I frequently place a can of beer inside a chicken and season it up well. This can of beer provides great flavor and moisture and allows the chicken to stand up on the grate. I can fit well inside this smoker, my large chicken (I've had up to 8 pounders), 6 ears of corn, a couple of onions, 4 potatoes and some garlic all cooking at the same time! So while the unit may look compact you really can load it up with the 2 grates.

Quality
Weber products are built using premium-grade steel coated with porcelain enamel. This is wonderful since I would prefer that my grill did not rust, I don't need the added iron in my diet!

Extras
Like I stated earlier the cooker comes with a nice vinyl liner and a cookbook that has some interesting recipes. Weber products are backed up by a 10 year limited warranty.

Nothing is Flawless
What I really was disappointed in is the fact that this particular model unlike other Weber products is only available in one color: black. I prefer red grills but since color has no effect on taste, this is a disadvantage I can definitely live with!

I recommend this grill to all back yard to everyone from beginners to advanced BBQ masters. This grill/smoker is compact enough for people who live in apartments with limited patio space and yet still large enough for the country sprawlers with acres of space.