I bought my WSM 14.5" smoker to supplement my existing 22.5" WSM because I wanted a smaller unit that would be more fuel-efficient when performing smaller smoke jobs. As always, Weber has consistently demonstrated that they are able to create a product that merges functionality with simplicity which is why I chose to stick with the trusty WSM series of smokers over other brands of charcoal-based smokers. The unit comes well packed in an ingenious manner to minimize the amount of cardboard and space needed to transport the cooker. Assembly was super easy and was completed with a basic wrench and screwdriver. The fit and finish, like all Weber products, is great and all brackets and holes are lined up perfectly and the provided instructions were easy to follow. ... MoreI bought my WSM 14.5" smoker to supplement my existing 22.5" WSM because I wanted a smaller unit that would be more fuel-efficient when performing smaller smoke jobs. As always, Weber has consistently demonstrated that they are able to create a product that merges functionality with simplicity which is why I chose to stick with the trusty WSM series of smokers over other brands of charcoal-based smokers. The unit comes well packed in an ingenious manner to minimize the amount of cardboard and space needed to transport the cooker. Assembly was super easy and was completed with a basic wrench and screwdriver. The fit and finish, like all Weber products, is great and all brackets and holes are lined up perfectly and the provided instructions were easy to follow. Starting up this cooker is EXTREMELY easy b/c of its diminutive size. Simply load up approximately 5-6 lbs of charcoals (not exceeding the height of the coal ring) and place a fire lighting cube in the middle of the coals and light and wait approximately 20 minutes and you're more or less ready to smoke! Don't let the small size of the 14.5" WSM fool you into thinking that it can't cook much! This smoker has dual 14.5" cooking racks and I've EASILY smoked 2 - 7 lb briskets without feeling cramped. Other capabilities include being able to smoke 2 racks of ribs (you have to get a little creative and roll the ribs to fit because you can lie them flat). Alternatively, I can smoke 4 small full-sized chickens or 2 LARGE cornbread or mac and cheese dishes. PLENTY of space to accommodate the cooking needs for families of 4-6 people. As far as cooking ease and consistency, the cooker (permitted it is set up properly) will hold temperatures consistently permitted it isn't cold, rainy, or windy. This is a single-walled cooker so external environmental influences can impact the performance of the cooker. My suggestion is to try to find a sheltered location for this cooker and it will pay you back with fantastically cooked meats that in my opinion, trump the more commonly sold "pellet fed" smokers. Heat control is easy and a load of coals under mild weather conditions will yield enough fuel to burn for 6-8 hours before a fuel top-up might be needed. When you're done cooking, extinguishing the coals is done by simply closing off all the vents and letting the cooker cool for at least 24 hours - charcoal can remarkably hold a lot of heat and can burn for a long time so it is best to make absolutely sure that the coals are out. Cleaning the cooker is super easy, simply soak the small cooking grates in your sink and scrub clean, dump the ash out of the fire bowl and place the included cover over the cooker. No need to scrub the inside of the cooker - the more you use it the better seasoned it becomes. Another benefit of this cooker is that it is so darned cute looking and its tiny size occupies very little space in your yard, deck, shed, or garage. I use this size of cooker the most and anyone that is considering the WSM should stop waffling and just get it!

We love our Weber Smokey Mountain. We've done four cooks on it so far and everything has turned out great. The first cook was a small learning curve on how to adjust the grates to dial in the temperature, but the Mississippi Pot Roast we turned into Poboy sandwiches was excellent and fell apart with a couple forks. The second cook was a lot easier to get this smoker up to the right temperature and keep it there. The ribeye roast was perfectly cooked. The third cook was spicy pork ribs and again the temperature was easy to lock in and the meat fell off the bones. Last weekend we cooked chicken leg quarters, but it was a lot colder outside - about 50F and windy - and we had some struggles getting the smoker up to the right temperature. Not sure if we didn't have ... MoreWe love our Weber Smokey Mountain. We've done four cooks on it so far and everything has turned out great. The first cook was a small learning curve on how to adjust the grates to dial in the temperature, but the Mississippi Pot Roast we turned into Poboy sandwiches was excellent and fell apart with a couple forks. The second cook was a lot easier to get this smoker up to the right temperature and keep it there. The ribeye roast was perfectly cooked. The third cook was spicy pork ribs and again the temperature was easy to lock in and the meat fell off the bones. Last weekend we cooked chicken leg quarters, but it was a lot colder outside - about 50F and windy - and we had some struggles getting the smoker up to the right temperature. Not sure if we didn't have enough coals or what exactly the problem was, but there was also a lot more smoke leaking from around the lid and from the door.Which brings me to the only thing I would change on this smoker - the door. It's the only weak point on this thing, and there are after market replacements available, but I think Weber should change the design of this to make this smoker even better.Thanks for a great product and I highly recommend this to anyone looking for a reasonably priced smoker.

I've owned my 22 Smokey for about 8 or 9 years now. I love it. It works great has a large capacity and is durable. First before you use it once order the Unknown BBQ hinge lid. Do it the same day you order your Smokey. It will save your life and experience with the product. I tried using mine before I installed that, like other people will attest I dropped the lid day one it dented in the handle and the weld spots have been rusting away ever since. It's a must have almost to the point it should come with the product. Also familiarize yourself with the minion charcoal smoking method, look it up, use it with this smoker. Also order a second bottom charcoal grate place it on top of the other gate at like a 45 degree offset to make smaller lattice s style holes to keep ... MoreI've owned my 22 Smokey for about 8 or 9 years now. I love it. It works great has a large capacity and is durable. First before you use it once order the Unknown BBQ hinge lid. Do it the same day you order your Smokey. It will save your life and experience with the product. I tried using mine before I installed that, like other people will attest I dropped the lid day one it dented in the handle and the weld spots have been rusting away ever since. It's a must have almost to the point it should come with the product. Also familiarize yourself with the minion charcoal smoking method, look it up, use it with this smoker. Also order a second bottom charcoal grate place it on top of the other gate at like a 45 degree offset to make smaller lattice s style holes to keep charcoal from falling through the grate. With the minion method and fussing with the vents the smoker works really well and holds temp really well, but if you want a game changer order a BBQ Guru fan system. It is a time and hassle saver and wished I bought mine 5 years earlier! Also get a temp monitor for the grill and meat from maverick or thermopro something like that, make monitoring the food and pit temp easy peasy from indoors. Buy the lid hinge, charcoal grate and thermometers at the very least. You can buy the other stuff later if it starts adding up too much but trust me the money is well spent and I full heartedly recommend those products with hundreds of personal uses for them. This thing makes amazing BBQ and is easy to use. Pressure wash the thing when it gets dirty, works great to clean it easily.