Unpacking The Box

I've described how the WSM is packed for shipping in the Packaging topic and explained all the parts in the Component Parts topic, so you already know what to expect when you unpack the box.

Just to refresh your memory, here's what you'll find inside:

If you find that any parts are missing or damaged, contact Weber Customer Service at 800-446-1071 for assistance.

To assemble the Weber Bullet you only need two tools:

• a straight blade screwdriver
• an adjustable wrench

Start by attaching the three legs to the charcoal bowl using two nuts, two screws, and two steel washers per leg.

You may have to flex the leg a bit to get the bottom bolt hole to line up with the hole in the charcoal bowl. The steel washers go on the inside of the charcoal bowl, as shown in Picture 3.

Attach the four grate brackets inside the cooking section using two nuts, two screws, and two fiber washers per bracket. Each bracket is positioned so that the end that has two "ledges" is at the bottom (Picture 3). The fiber washers go on the outside of the middle cooking section (Picture 4).

Installing Grates And Water Pan

With the hardware installed, all you have to do is put the remaining pieces in their proper place.

• Put the charcoal grate in the bottom of the charcoal bowl, resting on the leg bolts (Picture 1).
• Place the charcoal chamber in the center of the charcoal grate. This completes the charcoal bowl assembly (Picture 2).
• Place the water pan on the lowest level flanges in the cooking section (Picture 3).
• Put the non-handled bottom cooking grate on the flanges just above the water pan (Picture 4).
• Place the handled top cooking grate on the flanges at the top of the cooking section (Pictures 5 and 6).
• Install the access door in the cooking section and latch it by turning the knob (Picture 7). This completes the cooking section assembly.

Now it's simply a matter of putting the three major sections together.

• Place the charcoal bowl assembly on a level surface.
• Insert the middle cooking section into the charcoal bowl assembly.
• Place the lid on top of the cooking section.

This completes the assembly of the Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker. The cooker measures 41" high x 18-7/8" wide and weighs about 37 pounds.

Visit Parts Troubleshooting for problem areas to look out for when unpacking and assembling a new Weber Bullet.

One of the most important things you can do to protect your investment in Weber quality is to keep your WSM covered when not in use.

According to Weber, the WSM may run up to 50°F hotter when brand new.

The shiny interior surfaces reflect heat back into the cooker, resulting in higher than normal cooking temperatures. After a few uses, a layer of smoke and grease builds up on the interior. It becomes less reflective and absorbs more heat, which radiates out of the cooker and results in lower cooking temperatures.

Don't be too concerned about high temperatures during your first couple of cooking sessions. If you continue to have problems controlling the temperature of your cooker, read the Temperature Control Troubleshooting page.

Here's my friend Brian "The Hammer" DeHamer, proud owner of a newly assembled Weber Bullet, ready for action! His first run included two whole butterflied chickens on the bottom grate, plus three slabs of rolled baby back ribs, four sausages, and three foil-wrapped apples stuffed with Snickers bars on the top grate. Add to that some homemade beans, cornbread, and cold beer, and it was quite a feast.