#2 or #3

DivotMaker said:
va_rider said:
I'm very happy with my #2, but I wouldn't have regretted getting the #3. Something that Tony (DivotMaker) indirectly reminds me of quite often is that the larger size is really only an advantage if you're smoking a lot of the same thing. (Or things with similar cooking times) It's not the best idea to load up a smoker with a brisket, several racks of ribs, ABT's, and chickens. If you're cooking up several briskets, or loading it up with half a dozen racks of ribs, it's all good. But, if you've got a pile of things with different cooking times, you'll be opening the smoker far too often.

So, take a look at what you plan to be smoking, and how many people you'll be serving. For my needs, the #2 is great. My first smoke was 3 racks of ribs, followed by a whole chicken, brats, and a tray of mac n' cheese. The next smoke was a ~6lb brisket. The next, more ribs. The next,(Father's Day) a 12.5lb brisket, followed by ABT's and a Fatty. Then did some St Louis ribs last Friday. The #2 performed admirably for all of these. Now, I've got a ~16lb brisket waiting in the freezer, and my admin at work is bringing me another ~7lb brisket.

Once I learned the best way to load it up, and the limitations of cooking different things at the same time, I was much happier and got much better end results. My house fills with neighbors every time they smell smoke in the neighborhood, lining up to eat. I've only had mine for just over a month, but it's keeping me happy no problem.
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Well-said, Grasshopper! ;) 8)
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I'm sure that's what all you #2 guys tell yourselves to help you sleep at night.  LOL! 
 
I was referring to Aaron's grasp of loading, more than the size of the smoker.  lol!  I love the #2, but certainly love the flexibility of the #3!  Maybe someday, I'll round out the family with a #3! ;)
 
DivotMaker said:
I was referring to Aaron's grasp of loading, more than the size of the smoker.  lol!  I love the #2, but certainly love the flexibility of the #3!  Maybe someday, I'll round out the family with a #3! ;)
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I was just yanking your chain.  I should have bought 2 - #3's for what the #4 cost but these things don't stretch very well so extra room is always nice. 
 
I ordered the #2 today. After doing a lot of thinking about which one would be the better for me I decided I really didn’t need the extra space of the #3 since I don‘t do large quantities at any one time.  I was in no rush to make the decision since I am happy with my WSM but with colder temperatures not all that far away a good quality electric smoker was on my wish list. During the warm weather months I enjoy sitting on my patio reading a magazine or whatever while keeping an eye on the progress of the smoke with WSM but with cooler to cold temperatures I would much prefer lounging in the house.

Thanks for all the replies! 
 
The #2 will work well in the cold.  I've done some great food in the #2 in cold weather.  Who wants to mess with charcoal in the winter!  Enjoy
 
Received my #2 earlier this week. I’m very satisfied with the size and feel I made the right choice for myself between the #2 and #3.

Today I installed the wall mount PID sensor, bypassed the analog controller and seasoned the unit. Did the auto-tune .. P-61 .. I-346 .. D-336.

One of these next weekends I’ll get myself a 2/pack of ribs and make one in the Smokin-it and the other in my Weber Smoky Mountain just to see if there is a difference other than time spent monitoring the temperatures in the WSM.
 
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