Hey everyone, so after buying a Brinkmann Gourmet Electric Smoker from Home Depot on Memorial Day I was doing some research on recipes and a few tips and I came across this forum. First off my name is Geoff and I'm from San Diego, CA, married, I'm a huge Chargers and Oregon Ducks fan, I love BBQ and smoked meats and I have a Brinkmann Gourmet Electric. Other than that there's not much else to me. I usually smoke the classics, Brisket or Tri Tip, Chicken, and Pork. Thanks a lot for providing a one stop resource for us "late to the game". I do have one question, I have my chip pan contacting my heating element; is that going to reduve the lifespan of my heating element? Again thanks for responses in advance and I look forward to sharing my triumphs and failures (one was a severely burned finger from a slip on the hot chip pan and of course dry chicken breasts).