WSM 37/47/57 What size do I need!?

[nanoo]

So decided to get into smoking and looking to pick up a Weber Smokey Mountain. What I can decide upon is what size to get. They appear to come in three sizes 37/47/57cm (14/18/22 inch).

Money is not so much an issue in making a decision, but most adults I'd ever expect to feed is six, plus a few kids. Can anyone comments on WSM size to perhaps meat weight? Think I've seen a video of the largest 57cm taking about 40lbs of meat; which is rather too much meat for even me!

[Swindon_Ed]

I'd go with a 47cm. I've seen friends cook on the 37cm and it's really small and i've got the 57cm and hardly ever use it, most of my cooking at home is done on my 47cm

[BraaiMeesterWannabe]

I have a 47cm and its perfect. You could cook for 12 or more on it. 37cm is too small - you wouldn't get a rack of baby backs on without cutting it I reckon. I believe that 57cm can run hot and be a little harder to maintain consistent heat, but have no personal experience of one.

[Tiny]

Welcome chum, Probably the wrong forum to ask, as having analysed the content of your post the "money not an issue" leads me to the most obvious answer.....buy them all, you probably will eventually.

I own none of them, so am probably ill qualified, but have spent time feeling each of them in various garden centres (I am blind so this isn't as odd as it may sound)

The caveman bit of me wants the 57cm version but cant tell why other than "more meat is just better" The 37cm I reckon would do the job, you could get a decent chunk of meat on each rack and who needs more than 2 joints of meat really? but in the end it is rib space that puts the 47cm out in front in my opinion, small enough to do a family cook but when you need plenty racks of ribs this one is the thing.

Have not purchased one as I think the future for me is an pellet grill........but good luck with your purchase,
Cheers
Tiny

[nanoo]

That's great. Thanks guys. I'll go with the 47..

[AlanL]

Hi Nanno,

I went through a similar decision this time last year when the 37cm had just come out. Half of the time I'm cooking for just myself so was thinking the 37cm might be the better option. However I decided to go with the 47cm and glad I did as it just gives you more flexibility. I'd rather half fill the smoker a few times than end up having to try and cram too much in at others times and not get the smoke flavour as there is no room for the air to circulate. I can't say I've found the 47cm too big.

[nanoo]

Found a great video on the Riverside website that shows all three next to each other giving a good indication of their sizes. Here's a still from said video:

[RobinC]

I've got a 47 and a 57. Typically I'm cooking for family and small groups. The 47 is enough for this and my 57 doesn't see much use these days. I do like the 57 when I'm cooking lots of different things at the same time though.

One other point, the 57 eats through fuel at a quicker rate than the 47.