Weber 2820 Smokey Mountain Cooker/Smoker

I've been waiting towards the end of summer to buy one of these. I went to a few places to find a Weber SMC/S and the only place I was able to find one available was at Ace Hardware.
The only reason I did not buy from Ace was because of the price. Ace was asking $249.00 + tax.
Amazon has (had) it on sale for $209.99 plus the option for Free Super Saver Shipping. Even if you chose standard shipping the price was still right.
I'm just anxious to use it by the time Thanksgiving rolls around.

Excellent size and easy to use. Able to hold enough fuel for several hours of cooking.

I purchased this item when it was a flash buy it was a good price yet still for me expensive,so i was a little leary. But, This item is great! My husband sings its praises every time he uses it. He was a great bbq chef before this brought him up one more step. Everything cooked on it comes out tender juicy and delicous.

I have looked for a smoker for some time, ruling out the Weber because of its price. Then my wife suprised me with the Weber 2820 for my birthday.

Set up and assemby takes about 5 minutes. The shell of the smoker is a heavy guage enameled steel. The racks are sturdy and heavy guage steel also.

One caveat, I normally use a gas bbq so haven't purchased charcoal for some time. Without much thought I picked up a bag of 'matchlight' type of charcoal. The manual does warn about not using lighter fluid. Well my first batch of smoked ribs had a distinct lighter fluid taste and smell. Go with the regular briquets.

You can really load up the two racks with meat and fish, do use a meat thermometer to insure not over or under cooking.

I didn't get this smoker with the intention of bbq'ing or steaming, so can't comment on that.

But I can tell you that this in a fine little smoker!!!!

I've never smoked before and since getting this 2 weeks ago, have smoked a ham and pork ribs. I watched how to prepare the meats and use the WSM at virtualweberbullet.com. The Weber Smokey Mountain Smoker is just awesome. I was really surprised how it holds the temperature so well. I was able to cook the ribs for 4 hours and have the temp hold around 225 degrees by adjusting the 3 vents at the bottom. Use a little Apple Wood and it will give some great flavor to the meats. I also suggest getting a wireless thermometer like the MAVERICK ET-73 that you can use to measure the meat and the air temp. Amazon shipped both at a great price. There is a larger one coming out in October.