- Jun 19, 2007
- 6
- 10
Hi, everyone,
Iâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]ve been lurking on the board for quite some time and really enjoying the forum. It seems like a nice friendly group of folks who are willing to share their knowledge and expertise. I wanted to take a moment to introduce myself and explain how I became interested in BBQ.
My wife and I were visiting some places in Texas a few years ago and we happened to go into a BBQ place and ordered some Ribs, Man O Man what a difference they were from the Ribs weâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]d had in California!! They were the melt in your mouth, fall off the bone, wet type that simply flabbergasted both myself and my wife. Neither she nor I had ever tasted any thing like them before. We returned home, reminisced about our trip from time to time and remembered those ribs. Later that year I happened to stop at a garage sale and noticed a barbeque book they were selling . Something called Smoke & Spice . We haggled over the price a little bit and finally came to a compromise. Two bucks lighter but with that book in my hands I set out to do some reading and maybe learn how to do some ribs the right way.
Then it happened. I was in Home Depot one day just browsing the Grills, when away over in the corner I happened to spot something called a New Braunfels Silver smoker !! Suddenly the smell of Mesquite was drifting through the air , my wife and I were sitting at a red and black checkered table clothed table on a balmy summer night beside a canal in Texas enjoying a cool one with those Deeeelicious Ribs again. Something suddenly snapped in my head , an uncontrollable urge took over me, I felt compelled, all control of my actions were given up to some unseen power exhibiting itself over me---------------I had to buy that Silver Smoker right now! I whipped out my Credit Card and immediately bought that puppy. I brought it home, read the instructions , assembled it , seasoned it and then began to slowly take control of my senses again. Reality set in after a number of not too successful attempts at using this beast . First of all my ribs had a smoke ring alright but instead of being that nice red coloration, mine were black and bitter---- as in creosote! My smoke stack belched white smoke instead of thin blue , fire control was impossible and I began to see that I had a lot to learn plus I was now the dubious owner of a not to airtight leaky smoker in dire need of some serious modifications. Not to shirk from the task however , I did some research and did a few things that will hopefully help the situation. I extended the stack down to the grate level , I installed a baffle, took the firebox off and applied sealant to reduce some of the leakiness. Because I had to add so much charcoal and wood chunks so often, I made a coal basket that now allows for about a six hour cook at a steady 240-250 degrees.
Well, thatâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s my story. My BBQâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]g expertise has improved a little bit over time, at least my dog will eat it, and I am hoping to gain some knowledge from you folks if you can put up with some of my questions.
Thanks---------Ken
Iâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]ve been lurking on the board for quite some time and really enjoying the forum. It seems like a nice friendly group of folks who are willing to share their knowledge and expertise. I wanted to take a moment to introduce myself and explain how I became interested in BBQ.
My wife and I were visiting some places in Texas a few years ago and we happened to go into a BBQ place and ordered some Ribs, Man O Man what a difference they were from the Ribs weâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]d had in California!! They were the melt in your mouth, fall off the bone, wet type that simply flabbergasted both myself and my wife. Neither she nor I had ever tasted any thing like them before. We returned home, reminisced about our trip from time to time and remembered those ribs. Later that year I happened to stop at a garage sale and noticed a barbeque book they were selling . Something called Smoke & Spice . We haggled over the price a little bit and finally came to a compromise. Two bucks lighter but with that book in my hands I set out to do some reading and maybe learn how to do some ribs the right way.
Then it happened. I was in Home Depot one day just browsing the Grills, when away over in the corner I happened to spot something called a New Braunfels Silver smoker !! Suddenly the smell of Mesquite was drifting through the air , my wife and I were sitting at a red and black checkered table clothed table on a balmy summer night beside a canal in Texas enjoying a cool one with those Deeeelicious Ribs again. Something suddenly snapped in my head , an uncontrollable urge took over me, I felt compelled, all control of my actions were given up to some unseen power exhibiting itself over me---------------I had to buy that Silver Smoker right now! I whipped out my Credit Card and immediately bought that puppy. I brought it home, read the instructions , assembled it , seasoned it and then began to slowly take control of my senses again. Reality set in after a number of not too successful attempts at using this beast . First of all my ribs had a smoke ring alright but instead of being that nice red coloration, mine were black and bitter---- as in creosote! My smoke stack belched white smoke instead of thin blue , fire control was impossible and I began to see that I had a lot to learn plus I was now the dubious owner of a not to airtight leaky smoker in dire need of some serious modifications. Not to shirk from the task however , I did some research and did a few things that will hopefully help the situation. I extended the stack down to the grate level , I installed a baffle, took the firebox off and applied sealant to reduce some of the leakiness. Because I had to add so much charcoal and wood chunks so often, I made a coal basket that now allows for about a six hour cook at a steady 240-250 degrees.
Well, thatâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s my story. My BBQâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]g expertise has improved a little bit over time, at least my dog will eat it, and I am hoping to gain some knowledge from you folks if you can put up with some of my questions.
Thanks---------Ken