New to forum from SE MI

[marty catka]

Hi all,
My name is Marty and because I forgot about the anonymity of the internet and now you all know who I really am. Hope I don't attract loonies because of it. I don't mean all of you, smokers are loony in their own way, a good way, but their own way.

As I said in the thread title, from SE MI, metro Detroit area, downriver. (No loonies here!

) Have owned an ECB (now deceased), and various cheap grills. Currently grill on Weber kettle, also a Smoky Joe. My dad used to smoke his homemade sausage in a modified bakers cabinet with homemade firepit below, so I do have some idea what's going on, just real rusty.

At any rate, I've been following a few of the threads for a while now and have found them very useful. I recently purchased an MES and am now rethinking my decision. Very difficult getting smoke at low temps as well as having the thermostat being way off. By my remote therm it is probably off by as much as 50 degrees.

Looking into a charcoal offset, and am eagerly perusing the threads on modifications to improve the factory design. Any suggestions as to which one to buy. My financial advisor (wife) is limiting me to no more than what I paid for the MES.

Looking forward to an enriching and rewarding experience here.

 

[seenred]

Hello Marty,and welcome to the SMF family! Glad you joined us. You'll find lots of help/advice here. There are lots of friendly folks with expertise in all areas of smoking meat. Lots of people here use the MES with success, and I'm sure they'll be along to help you with your temperature issue shortly. Good luck, and happy smokin'!

 

[alx]

Welcome to SMF Marty!!!!!!

 

[beer-b-q]

Welcome, 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:



For Step By Step Instructions On Posting Qview Check Out This Tutorial

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/for...ad.php?t=82034

 

[rod guy]

Welcome Marty.

 

[michchef]

Marty, how about the Char-Griller Outlaw:

http://www.chargriller.com/store/pro...products_id=30

With the side firebox add on?:

http://www.chargriller.com/store/pro...products_id=46

From what I hear it's a pretty good smoker and folks that have it like it.

 

[marty catka]

Been checking them out. What's the difference between it and the CharBroil Silver Smoker?

 

[blue]

Hi Marty,

I am from Warren Welcome to the SMF. I started out using a Chargriller w/SFB and it is a good smoker for the money. I do not have a MES but a lot of people on the SMF and can chime about it.

One thing to remember with the Chargriller is that you will have to tinker with the fire...which for me is part of the fun of smoking something. The CG does not have a set if and forget it buttin. While the Chargriller is a good smoker out of the box there are a lot of modifications that you can do to improve the overall efficantcy (sp?). As far as weather goes, I cooked with my CG year round and the only thing that I had any real problems with was the winds.

You can always watch craigslist for something a little more appetizing.

 

[richoso1]

Welcome to the SMF, sorry to hear that you're not happy with the MES. Good luck on your researching a charcoal offset. It's all good my friend.

 

[mr mac]

So, what makes you think you're not the loonie we've attracted?!? Hmmm...?!?

Seriously, welcome to the SMF!

 

[gruelurks]

Hello and welcome Marty! I love my MES, I've gotten a lot of use out of it this first year, although I am certain it is due for an upgrade in wiring and mods like others have done on here. Don't discount it completely yet!

Mick
(From Waterford)

 

[warthog]

Welcome to the SMF. Enjoy your stay.

 

[marty catka]

I guess we are all a little bit loony, some more than others.

 

[mballi3011]

First off welcome Marty 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 anything to 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

 

[oldschoolbbq]

Check on Craig's List for Detroit/Toledo area. I've seen some great deals lately. Have you thought about a UDS?
Now that we have you PM addy, we'll keep you posted if we hear of anything!
Good luck,have fun and,
SMOKE HAPPY
Stan aka Old School :)-

 

[irishteabear]

Welcome to SMF, Marty. Glad you joined us.