Hello to the grilling, smoking, BBQing community here at SmokingMeatForums.
As I search the web for ideas about smoking and BBQing I kept running across pictures and informative posts from members here, so..... here I am.
My story? Recently retired, in my mid 50s, in the People's Republic of Maryland.
Been around the block, on my second time around now, but taking my time to see things I didn't see on the first time around. ;)
Somewhere between Jack-of-all-Trades and Mad Scientist. I have fabricated some cool things and also have a very large scrap pile of failed ideas, but, that's how I learn.
Hobbies are blacksmithing, steel and metalwork, woodworking, biking, kayaking, firearms, and of course cooking in the great outdoors.
I can cook indoors, too, but prefer being outdoors.
Smoking and BBQ is my real interest. Currently have a Weber Gas grill and an OKJ Highland. Also have a homebuilt firepit for roasting anything from marshmallows to hotdogs to pie iron sandwiches.
As far as smokers go, I started many years ago with a cheap Brinkmann vertical "R2D2" type of smoker. I learned a lot from that little thing. Actually turned out some decent BBQ on it, given it's level of quality. Eventually it became a rifle target.
Next was a Chargriller smoker from Craigslist, only used once, stole it, then continued to learn more about thin -walled finnicky smokers. Did some of the mods to the CharGriller, where there is a will there is a way? The CharGriller also became a rifle target at some point.
Next was a smoker called Bar B Chef? It came from a BBQ Galore Store on clearance. Did some mods, and had been using that one the last ~10 years or so. I think it is a fairly generic smoker, I have seen it under several names, and still see pics of it on-line as people are posting their BBQ adventures.
Now i am onthe OKJ bandwagon, which I purchased "open box" discount from Wally's right after Christmas when all of the outdoor cooking stuff was put away to make room for Christmas decor. Paid $150ish for it since box was open, possibly a return? They even got 2 guys to load it for me! The Bar B Chef smoker had been re-weleded in places, the firebox was burning out and when I saw the OKJ deal I pounced on it. I liked the thickness of the OKJ metal, figuring I could "work" with it.
Been modding the OKJ Highland, and have run several successful BBQ sessions through it as I fine tune it for the 2017 cooking season. That's where I am at right now.
I'll save the rest for actually meat and potato posts in the appropriate forums.
Happy BBQing to all!
As I search the web for ideas about smoking and BBQing I kept running across pictures and informative posts from members here, so..... here I am.
My story? Recently retired, in my mid 50s, in the People's Republic of Maryland.
Been around the block, on my second time around now, but taking my time to see things I didn't see on the first time around. ;)
Somewhere between Jack-of-all-Trades and Mad Scientist. I have fabricated some cool things and also have a very large scrap pile of failed ideas, but, that's how I learn.
Hobbies are blacksmithing, steel and metalwork, woodworking, biking, kayaking, firearms, and of course cooking in the great outdoors.
I can cook indoors, too, but prefer being outdoors.
Smoking and BBQ is my real interest. Currently have a Weber Gas grill and an OKJ Highland. Also have a homebuilt firepit for roasting anything from marshmallows to hotdogs to pie iron sandwiches.
As far as smokers go, I started many years ago with a cheap Brinkmann vertical "R2D2" type of smoker. I learned a lot from that little thing. Actually turned out some decent BBQ on it, given it's level of quality. Eventually it became a rifle target.
Next was a Chargriller smoker from Craigslist, only used once, stole it, then continued to learn more about thin -walled finnicky smokers. Did some of the mods to the CharGriller, where there is a will there is a way? The CharGriller also became a rifle target at some point.
Next was a smoker called Bar B Chef? It came from a BBQ Galore Store on clearance. Did some mods, and had been using that one the last ~10 years or so. I think it is a fairly generic smoker, I have seen it under several names, and still see pics of it on-line as people are posting their BBQ adventures.
Now i am onthe OKJ bandwagon, which I purchased "open box" discount from Wally's right after Christmas when all of the outdoor cooking stuff was put away to make room for Christmas decor. Paid $150ish for it since box was open, possibly a return? They even got 2 guys to load it for me! The Bar B Chef smoker had been re-weleded in places, the firebox was burning out and when I saw the OKJ deal I pounced on it. I liked the thickness of the OKJ metal, figuring I could "work" with it.
Been modding the OKJ Highland, and have run several successful BBQ sessions through it as I fine tune it for the 2017 cooking season. That's where I am at right now.
I'll save the rest for actually meat and potato posts in the appropriate forums.
Happy BBQing to all!
