- Apr 23, 2017
- 1
- 10
Very Amateur Smoker here. I inherited an old Brinkmann stick burner a few years back and became addicted to smoking. The only problem I had was time. With 2 kids under 4 it's very hard to spend 12 hours tending a fire. My old set up was an old Brinkmann offset, a Char-Griller barrel, a Weber gas (from the 80's, it was my late Grandfathers, and I won't get rid of it,) and a Coleman Roadtrip (For tailgating) For me, looking out at all of these grills on the deck was wonderful. For the wife, not so much. I live in Northern IL and for most people, that means grilling from March through October. Not for me. Once I figured out I could shovel my lazy ass to the deck, it became an even bigger addiction. To make a long story even longer, The grill situation looked like this; The Brinkmann needed a new firebox, The Char-Griller needed new everything, and the Weber needed new everything. So my wife looked out the kitchen window and saw three broken grills everyday. Big surprise, she wasn't happy. I purchased a Traeger Select Elite a few weeks ago. Not my first choice, but got a pretty good deal at Costco, and the wife wanted only one grill on the deck, and she wanted it to look pretty. I figured if she is going to let me spend $1000 on a grill, the least I can do is give her something pretty to look at while she does the dishes. I've had it for a few weeks now, and I've had to throw away 2 racks of ribs, and some brats. (User error, no fault of the grill.) I think I have it tuned in pretty well, but I have yet to find anyone using this as a smoker. I have done one pork butt, and it was amazing. What I'm looking for is anyone else who has one of these and can give me some tips on modifications. The only problem I have had so far is cooking at high temps. I know it only goes to 450, but I have yet to get it that high. Do I need Fire Bricks? Is it because of the weather? Any help would be appreciated. I only Smoke 10-15 times a year, and I grill 4 nights per week, so it will be used mostly as a grill. I know a lot of the old school BBQ guys will say, A stick burner is the only way to go. Well, I'm sorry. I'm too lazy, I don't have the time, and from what I've read so far, I have more money than brains. Everyone seems to hate anything that is powered by gas, or even looks like something powered by gas, but so far, I am very happy with my purchase. So please, don't hate on me for buying the grill I have and tell me I should have bought something else. I know there are probably better grills out there, but this is what I have. I just want to cook good food for my family, just like the rest of you.
Smoke on Guys, and thank you for all of the info you share.
Ninerfreak
Smoke on Guys, and thank you for all of the info you share.
Ninerfreak