My first job ever was in a Polish delicatessen in NJ when I was 16. I'm amazed I can remenber that far back! They smoked their own hams, kielbasa, and several other dilicasies. For the week prior to Easter they sold an average of 2000 lbs. of kielbasa alone. Thats alot of hickory! That was my first exposure to the art of smoking. If I knew that almost 35 years later I would rekindle my interest in the art I probably would have paid more attention way back then. Then about 5 years ago someone opened a little sausage making and meat smoking supply business right in the next town over. The first time I walked into The Sausage Source I got the bug. Now I smoke and make sausage and jerky every chance I can. I made a temperature controlled smoker out of an old stainless steel double door reach in, but after a year I realized it was way to big for my needs so this past Xmas I got one of those LP gas smokers but aside from seasoning it, I haven't had a chance to try anything in it yet. Soon,,, soon. Now for all you purists who call this type of smoking the lazy mans way of smoking I would just like to say, I'd like nothing more that to be able to spend 10 or 12 hours on one meal. Problem is is that I don't forsee that happening for quite a few more years yet. I wish I had a hobby that can pay the bills.