Smokin' in the wild wild west!

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smokin stu

Newbie
Original poster
Mar 10, 2014
21
10
Hi Everyone,

My name is Stuart and I am a lover of all things culinary, a foodie of sorts, and a recent BBQ enthusiast! I currently own a simple Masterbuilt 20051311 GS30D 2-Door Propane Smoker  which runs off wood chips but would eventually like to graduate up to a large trailer towed barrel smoker that uses real wood chunks to drive the smoke and heat.  As for now though this unit works well.

I am from Laramie, WY which is 2 miles north of Denver for those of you who went "Where the heck is that!?" :)  The temperatures get real cold here and I try not to smoke in the dead of winter for it's an uphill battle trying to keep things at temperature.  I plan on entering a KCBS event this summer as an amateur and am either going to go pulled pork or brisket.  I recently have been trying to master brisket and found that to be challenging task. So any tips you masters want to throw my way would be appreciated!

I also make my own BBQ rubs and sauces which I am very fond/proud of.

Other than smoking delicious cuts of meat you can usually find me working as a civil engineer, trying to settle down my 7 month old beagle puppy Abby, and planning a wedding with my fiancee for this October. Phew!

Well that's enough about me, let's start talking about the important stuff..BBQ!!!
 
Haha Stuart welcome. I know what you mean by obligations that fall inferior to BBQ lol. (4 month old baby and a wife renovating 3 rooms in the house). I started off my love for the Q when I was stationed in Rapid City, SD actually. Started off doing jerky in 2 dehydrators. Something you can look forward to getting into during the cold seasons is cold smoking (cheese, bacon, fish, poulty, etc.). It's a much slower process but can give you a good reason to stand outside and drink beer [emoji]128521[/emoji] Again welcome and feel free to ask any questions ya want.
 
Hey Stuart

Welcome to the Smoking  forum.   You’ll find great , friendly people here, all more than willing to answer any question you may have.  Just ask and you’ll get about 10 different answers—all right.  LOL.   Don’t forget to post qviews.

Gary
 
Welcome to the Forums Stuart-glad to have you along on this culinary adventure. I used to live in Denver and would travel up to Laramie and Chyenne for the Rodeo's way back in the mid 70's.

Be sure to check the rules of that KSBS event-the rules that I've seen don't allow propane or elctricity exxcept for starting the charcoal as stated in Rule #6:

6) Fires shall be of wood, wood pellets or charcoal. Gas and electric heat sources shall not be permitted for cooking or holding. Propane or electric is permitted as fire starters, provided that the competition meat is not in/on the cooking device. Electrical accessories such as spits, augers, or forced draft are permitted. No open pits or holes are permitted, except at the election of the contest organizer. Fires shall not be built on the ground.

I know at one time the KCBS was considering changing the rules to allow propane and electric fire pits but for whatever reason it didn't happen.

Pulled pork or chicken would be my choice for a first comp, as butts are more forgiving to temp spikes; brisket is nice but they are a tricky cut of beef to master so lots of practice is necessary to get it right. Check out the beef section of the forum for brisket info or type in "brisket" into the SMF search bar. There is plenty of info to read so sit in a comfy chair and grab a cold one and take lots of notes-there might even be a test! :biggrin:

Enjoy the Smoke!

BTW-gotta love them Beagle pups-got three of my own; Roxy, Sir George and Kobie (my rescue pup). Can't really call them pups anymore since their ages are 12, 11 & 9.
 
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Welcome Stuart! I go thru Laramie all the time. Beautiful country around there.

I dont think the cold will keep you from smoking, the wind, however could be another story!

any way welcome again,

Ed
 
[h3]
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Hello and welcome from East Texas. This is a great site, lots of information and great people that are willing to throw in their two cents worth on about anything.   
[/h3][h3]  [/h3][h3]Gary[/h3]
 
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