New Excel 20 vs. WSM...the Battle Begins!

As I was leaving for lunch today, I check the United Parcel Service website to see if it had any new information on the estimated arrival of the brand spankin' new ProQ Exel 20. "On Truck for Delivery" was all that was listed, which meant it could arrive during my lunch hour or it could arrive later this evening. D'oh!

Well, knowing that there wasn't much in the way of variety for lunch waiting for me at home, I decided to go out for a leisurely bite then get back to work. Something inside me told me to grab my camera on the way out of my office and before I made it to the restaurant, I decided to make a trip to the grocery to pick something up for lunch. Well, long story short, my bride called me while I was in line to check-out and asked if I was coming home for lunch. "Yes, I'm about 10 minutes away." I told her. She said, "I think you're in for a surprise."

It took me about 5 minutes to get there.

As I pulled into the driveway, this is what I saw...




A DOUBLE SURPRISE!!

Both the brand spankin' new ProQ Excel 20 (with an additional stacker) AND the shiney new WSM were waiting by my back door!

I hurried through lunch to get them inside where I was able to stand them up side-by-side for the initial comparison...





...and was very impressed by how good the condition was of both of the shipments. Score 2 points for UPS.

After contemplating calling in sick the rest of the day, I decided that I'd better get back to work and begin plotting my next move towards the Battle of the Century...the Battle for Bullet Smoker Supremacy (presented by our Illinois sponsor: The Backyard BBQ Store in Wilmette, Illinois).

The Official battle will take place on August the 9th, but I'm thinking that I may have to do some initial comparisons this weekend ( ) just so we can get down to the nitty-gritty on August 9th...what do you guys think? Should I wait in tortured pain, or begin the comparisons as soon as possible??? (I will be sure to document everything from start to finish.)

Give me your thoughts!

here's a thought






































GET TA SMOKIN BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Congrats on both but I gotta tell ya you will love all the basic extras with the XL.

Show us a step by step of the unpacking process too. The XL is packed very well.

Dr_KY wrote:Show us a step by step of the unpacking process too. The XL is packed very well.

That's the plan. If I get into it this weekend, I'll take a bunch of photos...if I wait until next week, I should be able to get some video...have a new Flip Video camera on the way.

After doing much reading and learning on this forum I need a vertical water smoker, so Im looking forward to this battle.

I agree! Plus you have the added benefit of having both units "seasoned" and ready for the cook-off.

I'm jealous


Jenx

Just found out that my new Flip Video camera is due to be delivered on Monday or Tuesday...I'm doing my best to not open the boxes until it gets here. I decided to come into work today so as not to be tempted...and if all goes well, will be going to a St. Louis Cardinals baseball game tomorrow...that should help with the temptation.

Will let you guys know of the progress as it happens.

What number is on the side of the XL box? Mine was 27 of 227.

Dr_KY wrote:What number is on the side of the XL box? Mine was 27 of 227.

I'll check when I get back home from work, but in the picture above it doesn't look like the Excel has a number on it. The stacker looks to be 79 of 168. I'll check it later on.

The ProQ Excel 20 box has been staring at me for days now. Taunting me. Sitting in my family room just begging me to break the box open so that it could get out, streatch it's handles, and breath free. Though I had been waiting for my new video camera to arrive (to well document the unpacking/building process); the camera has yet to arrive, but I just couldn't take it any longer. I had to open her up.

Within half an hour of arriving home from work, I armed myself with a knife, a screwdriver, a wrench, my camera, and a load of enthusiasm for freeing the ProQ Excel 20 from it's cardboard confines. Fewer than thirty minutes later the shiney new Excel was built and breathing fresh Midwestern U.S. air for the first time.

It would have taken less time, but there were a couple of issues (which I'll go into more with the final report in a few weeks) with figuring out the right nut/bolt/washer configuration. Nonetheless, it is finally together and ready for battle.

I'm gonna tease a little bit here by only offering a few pictures, but the full report will have MANY more pictures.

All the pieces...out of the box...


Out of the box standard...


With the added Stacker...


It's nearly alive...just need to add some heat...but it will have to wait until I get the WSM out of the box and put together. Hopefully this week.

That is one fine mechine right there!

First time I fired one up I closed all the botom vents and only opended one 3/4 of the way. The top vent remaimed fully open and she held 225 all night.

Dr_KY wrote:That is one fine mechine right there!

First time I fired one up I closed all the botom vents and only opended one 3/4 of the way. The top vent remaimed fully open and she held 225 all night.

I was wondering if it that would be the method of choice for best temp controls. When I was smoking on my Weber Kettle (it has 3 on bottom, 1 on top), that's pretty much what I did too.

Thanks for the tip!

Dr_KY, was right own. The same day/might have been the next day, I fired mine up to get a feel for it. I did just what KY said, and so did the grill. After playing around with it for about and hour, I decide to cook something.I didn't have much time since it was about 7:00pm so I half a couple of chics and opened up two bottom vents temp went to around 300 in about 15 minutes. I then started slowing sclosing down one of the vents. Vent and a half got it b/w 260-275, and stayed that way for about two hours. Opened up all the vents, temp went to 325 in about 15-20, crispt the skin.

After I took the chicken off, I went back to one vent at 3/4. Temp dropped down to around 250. Cleaned up, took a shower, and about an hr later temp was at 275 without anything in it. Closed the vent a little more. Went to sleep. Woke up around 5:30am, Excel was still at 250. This is the first bullet smoker I've had in six years, since I got my offset. This thing is nice. Might need another.

Planning to loader up this weekend. Will take pics and post.

lilham wrote:Planning to loader up this weekend. Will take pics and post.

Thanks for the input. Will be looking forward to the pics!

Nice!

Do you plan on "seasoning" both before the contest? Totally sealed and ready to go sounds about right. It may be just my way of trying them out!

Jenx