This Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker (aka WSM) is a unique and rare smoker that I have been fortunate to be involved with. It was a special project of the owner of the The Virtual Weber Bullet – the best resource for the WSM on the Web – Chris Allingham. He wanted to assist the people in Florida who were affected by Hurricane Charley* that hit in 2004. You can read the story of his build here. This is real porcelain just like the original, but in blue. Once his project was complete he auctioned it off on eBay, and made a very generous donation to the Red Cross with the proceeds.
KCBS contest, Sept. 2-3, 2005. Kasihta Sand Town Festival, Cusseta GA
I took ownership of it on October 30, 2004. The winner of the auction was not interested in keeping it, he wanted it put to good use. I mentioned I could use it for cooking projects with the special ed kids I teach, so he delivered it to me at the Minneola Fall Fest, in Minneola FL. I was competing there in the Florida BBQ Association’s Florida State Championship. I used it with my students on a handful of cooks. I also competed with it once in Cusseta, GA, and once in Barnesville, GA,
After a few years I had a stickburner of my own and was using it most of the time with the kids. The WSM wasn’t getting much use. I asked my nephew if his Boy Scout troop could use it for camping etc. and of course the answer was yes. We agreed that if they no longer used it, the WSM would return to me. I knew it would be a part of WSM history, and I wanted to ensure it stayed alive. It was with his troop in Plant City FL for about 6-7 years. He eventually went off to college, so I asked about ol’ blue. I learned it had been retired from smoking duties and was parked behind his parent’s home outside. I rescued her about 2 years ago and she has been under my bbq shack staying out of the rain and sun since then.
For my project this summer I thought I would get her out and give her a thorough cleaning and sprucing up. With help and guidance from a fellow enthusiast, my project is complete. I think she is in great shape considering her age and history. The Two-Tone Blue is now ready for the next adventure, whatever that may be.
