Hello from Michigan

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erik

Fire Starter
Original poster
Sep 8, 2009
51
20
Belleville, MI
Hi Everyone. I'm Erik from Michigan, in the 'burbs of Detroit. I've been lurking around here since I stumbled upon the 5 day e-course on smoking, and decided it was time to introduce myself.

I've spent a very productive summer exploring my new BBQ hobby, and SMF deserves some credit for helping this newbie. Thanks everyone for the tips and advice throughout the site and forums, they have helped. This summer I have been smoking Pork Butts, Beef Brisket, and a smattering of Spare Ribs and Baby Back Ribs. My ribs need more work, but luckily my fiancee (getting married Oct 10th, have to get used to saying 'Wife' :D) is all on board with being a smoked meat taste tester. On the positive side, my pulled pork and brisket have been a big hit with family and friends, and I've even started getting requests. So, a good start to the basics and hopefully it only gets better.

My current rig is an ECB, which I 'modified' by taking the legs off and putting it and the fire pan on a cement block. Seemed easier than trying to put some legs on the firepan since I noticed that the firepan on the block would be about at the same level as with the internal legs. My only complaint is that temps run a bit below the ideal of 225-250, so cooks take longer. I might have to drill some holes into the firepan to improve air flow, or experiment with legs so I can take the block out. The idea here is that the cement block might be impeading airflow through the bottom.

If anyone is reading this and wants to try BBQ but not spend a fortune until they are sure, the ECB is a great and inexpensive way to try it.

A couple of monthes into the great BBQ experiment, the lovely soon-to-be-wife gave me the green light to buy a more expensive smoker next year. So I was thinking of a Webber Smokey Mountain. But then I looked into the UDS everyone was talking about here and at other sites, and I would love to try that instead. In fact, if I can find the right drum soon, I'll try to put one together and take a few test runs before it gets too cold around here.

Sorry for the rambling.
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At any rate, howdy neighbors!

Oh, and I'll try to get some QView up from my first couple of smokes. I'm notoriously bad at remembering the camera.
 
Greetings from Metro Detroit also (Canton,MI)

I see the addiction has got you too. What a great place to learn the art of BBQ. I also have an ECB, I did the mods including the fire pan legs and I have a hard time keeping it below 270, (its great for chicken)

GO BLUE this weekend !!!
 
Welcome Erik. I've learned a lot from this place as well....and the learning never stops. Sounds like you've been turnin out some good meat. Look fwd to seeing some q-views!! Happy smokin!!
 
Welcome Erik, Glad to have you with us. This is the place to learn, lots of good info and helpful friendly Members.

For Those of you New to Smoking, be sure to check out Jeff's 5 Day Smoking Basics eCourse.
Click Here it's "FREE"... 5 Day eCourse

Everyone here enjoys seeing the Qview so be sure to post plenty of pics...

Large ones that us old people with bad eyes can see.

When you uploading to Photobucket I always use the Large IMG setting, 640 x 480 it is a nice size...

How to post Qview to Forum:
 
Thanks for the introduction, a lot of great Q come come from an ECB. SMF welcomes you to some fun times, and great tips/advise. It's all good my friend.
 
Hey and welcome! thanks for the nice intro there and I look forward to seeing more from you.

Take care and don't forget to ask if you have any questions.

Alex
 
First off welcome Eric to SMF. You'll like it here cause there are abunch of good folks here that would just love to help you out with just about anythignto do with smoking. We really like to have newbies here because they can bring in a new propective to how things are done. There's nothing like a new set of eyes to give and new way to make things that little differant to make things alittle better. So I hope you know about the Qview here.
http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/for...ad.php?t=58920
Here's a link to photobucket it's free and easy to download pictures. Then if your really new to smoking Look up the E-course.
http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/for...play.php?f=127
It's also free and it will give you the basics of smoking. So after all of that you just need to go grab something to smoke and if you have any question just post them here and we will answer it quickly so you don't have any mishaps with your smoke.
Welcome To Your New Addiction
 
Welcome Erik,
Congrats on the upcoming marriage....hope it bring many happy years....
Just a note to let you know that All the other members here have corrupted my thoughts
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too on the UDS....I have read so many posts and comments on here that I am in the progress of making a UDS....have the charcoal pan made, the air intakes, the exhaust, the grates, just need to find a drum and lid.....then assembly. If you have not already started....be careful.....one person in a post suggested that you try a bakery for a drum. I tried 4 of them here in Denver..and most will not allow them to be sold or given away....so it might be buy and burn of a petroleum drum for me.
Good luck
 
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