Why should I buy a model 2
- Thread starter vincel
- Start date
I am very satisfied with the size of my #1. I recently did 3 racks of baby backs with no problem. I did have to cut about 4 inches off of each one and placed the ribs diagonally on the racks. They came out fine.
My situation is similar to yours with it being only my wife and I. I would say that if you are feeding 6 to 8 people throw in a couple pork butts and you will have enough for a big feast with leftovers to send home with them.
Another thing I like about the #1 is that it is easy to lift, move around and store.
Hope this helps.
My situation is similar to yours with it being only my wife and I. I would say that if you are feeding 6 to 8 people throw in a couple pork butts and you will have enough for a big feast with leftovers to send home with them.
Another thing I like about the #1 is that it is easy to lift, move around and store.
Hope this helps.
That's a tough question... by all rights, the #1 will serve you perfectly well. Everything that one makes in a #2 also gets made in a #1 in smaller quantities/sizes. At the same time, if the $160 isn't a hardship then it's hard to not go with the #2... because reasons. 
I actually have a #2 and love it... I'm pretty sure a #3 would be too big for me 99% of the time and that I would do just fine with a #1 50% of the time. I like the extra space even if I don't use all of it. I know I have the capacity if I want to throw a party and that it's still small enough to be out of the way and efficient the rest of the time.
I actually have a #2 and love it... I'm pretty sure a #3 would be too big for me 99% of the time and that I would do just fine with a #1 50% of the time. I like the extra space even if I don't use all of it. I know I have the capacity if I want to throw a party and that it's still small enough to be out of the way and efficient the rest of the time.
Vince - The heating element wattage is sized according to the volume of the smoker and the load it could conceivably handle. Bringing a small cavity to temp will require less output than bringing a larger cavity to temp. I believe a 5 hour smoke will be a five hour smoke be it in a model 1 or the new model 5.
SconnieQ
New member
I have the #1, and it's perfect for 2 people. But you can also serve a crowd of 6-8... or more... no problem. My #1 can fit up to:
3-4 racks of ribs (depending on how many shelves you have). Each rack cut in half, and one rack per shelf.
Two 3-4 pound chickens
One huge pork butt
One 14 pound turkey
15+ pound brisket, cut in half and placed on two racks.
I bought the #1 because of how space efficient it is to store (and it suits my meat output needs 99.9% of the time). It disappears behind a chair on my back porch when not in use. I've had mine for over two years, and I still would not want a larger one. But the general consensus here is that if you are considering the #2, then maybe that's what you should get. I never even considered the #2.
3-4 racks of ribs (depending on how many shelves you have). Each rack cut in half, and one rack per shelf.
Two 3-4 pound chickens
One huge pork butt
One 14 pound turkey
15+ pound brisket, cut in half and placed on two racks.
I bought the #1 because of how space efficient it is to store (and it suits my meat output needs 99.9% of the time). It disappears behind a chair on my back porch when not in use. I've had mine for over two years, and I still would not want a larger one. But the general consensus here is that if you are considering the #2, then maybe that's what you should get. I never even considered the #2.
SconnieQ
New member
vincel said:Thanks folks for your input. Looks like the model 1 will work best for my needs. Doesn't take up much room and perfect for family of 2. I just wish you could get the PID on the model 1
Will pull the trigger today before the fathers day special expires.
Vince
You can purchase it as a separate unit for the #1 if you would like, for not much more than the cost if it were actually built into the unit. But frankly, I don't think you need it unless you are doing a lot of cold smoking, and even then, I do the occasional cold smoking just fine without it, with a little extra interaction from me. The analog temperature swings are no big deal for practically everything else. You can always use your #1 for a while with the analog controller, and decide later if you want to add the PID. I like the simplicity of the analog dial myself (and I am in a tech related industry).
http://www.smokin-it.com/product-p/wsd-1200gph.htm
