Weber Smokey Mountain or ProQ Excel 20?

[zed4]

Hi,

I'm looking to buy a new smoker, probably 47-50cm. I want it to be ceramic coated as it may live outside for a while. I have a Weber One Touch Premium 57cm, so I don't need another BBQ, just a smoker.

I've done a couple of smokes on the BBQ, but I am really a beginner, so which do you recommend? Anyone used both! I read that the ProQ has more features and is on paper a better smoker, it's also cheaper, but it can be more difficult to maintain a constant temperature.

[zed4]

[Davey S2]

My local Costco have these bad boys in stock at the moment. £210 iirc

[Scantily]

I have the 47cm WSM and it's my favourite thing in the world, have used it weekly come rain or shine since last july. Only truly torrential rain or gale force winds will stop me.

Can't comment on the pro Q, but the weber is enamel coated and comes with a 10 year guarantee against rust.

I am well and truly addicted to proper BBQ.

[ibisti]

I would say the WSM if you can afford the price difference as it will stand the test of time as it's a webber. I had the same dilemma 4 or 5 years ago and went for the webber and haven't looked back.

[MyM2006]

Bought a WSM a long time ago, bought a ProQ to replace it when the Weber started to look a bit ropey after 8-10 years or so, mainly outside. My ProQ got binned a few years ago, WSM was on its last legs last year, Weber build quality is so much better, can't remember the exact model of ProQ but was WSM style.

[zed4]

MyM2006 said:

Bought a WSM a long time ago, bought a ProQ to replace it when the Weber started to look a bit ropey after 8-10 years or so, mainly outside. My ProQ got binned a few years ago, WSM was on its last legs last year, Weber build quality is so much better, can't remember the exact model of ProQ but was WSM style.

Ok, that’s good to know but I wonder if you had the ProQ Excel? The ProQ Frontier is the Weber style and Weber size, but only had one vent and was not enamel coated. However, there is a new model the Excel, which has the same number of vents as the WSM and is fully enamelled. So it should compete with the Weber.

However, I am swaying towards the WSM.

[Mustafa95]

Hi, I know this is a while later but I am actually in the same position...deciding between the ProQ Excel and WSM. I’ve read stuff about the ProQ not maintaining temp for as long a period as WSM. Just wanted to know, which one did you end up going for out of the two?

[chml]

Mustafa95 said:

Hi, I know this is a while later but I am actually in the same position...deciding between the ProQ Excel and WSM. I’ve read stuff about the ProQ not maintaining temp for as long a period as WSM. Just wanted to know, which one did you end up going for out of the two?

I’d ask in this thread: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[Raging Bu11]

I have no experience of the ProQ Excel, but can vouch for the WSM. I've had mine for 8 years now and it gets fairly heavy use most of the year round, and TBH I don't look after it that well. it hasn't had a cover on it for the past 3 or 4 yrs, but when i clean it up it still comes up like new. I've had to replace 1 grill grate in that time as it sort of wore out, but another plus for weber is that the replacement parts are readily available.
I've done plenty of overnight cooks and it holds temp well i use mainly weber briquettes for long cooks as they seem to be most consistent . You can end up getting through a lot of coals though :-)