Greetings from the Frozen Tundra of Minnesota

[weinnmann]

I have actually been a member for some time now but never posted anything and finally wanted to formally introduce myself. As the title says I choose to live in the balmy climate region of Minnesota where we officially have two seasons, winter and mosquito. I got started in smoking and meat processing by refusing to pay the local butcher shop to process venison but figured it would be way cheaper to do it myself, wow was I wrong, its worse than owning a boat every time you turn around there is something else you can buy. It might be meat today bigger equipment tomorrow and even bigger equipment later on. In all honesty there is no greater feeling than when you have friends or family over for a BBQ and they ask where to get that rack of ribs, pulled pork and the sausage you cooked and you tell them you made it. I can not recall the number of times I have had to argue that we made the food ourselves with guests and for the real stubborn ones we have even had to show them the section of our garage that is setup for making sausage. Through the years I have defiantly progressed with the equipment starting with 2 electric smokers and now a pellet grill that we use to smoke with and now looking at going with an old fashioned stick burner since oak is abundant and easy to get around here.

When we are not smoking or cooking we like to spend as much of the summer fishing at the lake. I also keep myself busy with wood working projects that the wife comes up with, anything from shelves to entertainment centers and cabinets.

I look forward to learning more along the way from all of the knowledgeable people here and also hope to help out as I can with things I have learned along the way.

Scott

 

[woodcutter]

I agree with everything you said. Smoking meat and making sausage is an equipment intensive sport, but there is no better feeling than seeing everyone enjoying your food. Please post a few of your smokes when you do some, always looking for good ideas.........weather is the same in Wisconsin!

 

[seenred]

Welcome aboard, Scott!  Glad you joined us.  You've found a great place to learn and share ideas.  Lots of friendly and knowledgeable folks here who really enjoy helping one another.  Just curious, what kind of Pellet pit do you own?  There is a growing number of members with those pellet poopers, and I'm always curious what new folks use and what they think of it.  And just ask any time you need help and you'll get plenty.

Red

 

[kathrynn]

to SMF!  We are so glad you joined us!

If you didn't read the "Terms of Service" notes.....please do.  There are a few things that everyone should know before plunging into the forums.

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/a/terms-of-service

If you need any help roaming around the forums....just holler!  Happy to help out!

Kat

 

[weinnmann]

Thanks for the welcome

SeenRed

I have a Traeger Lil Tex and its ok, like any grill or smoker it has up and down sides to it. I have had it 3 years now and for starting out it works very well and quite dumby proof. The biggest issue for me is getting pellets at a reasonable price and I should have gotten a bigger one. Now that I have a fair amount of experieince I am looking at getting a bigger stick burner to expand my capacity. We do everything from bbq to sausage and jerky in it and it works but just slow going when its that small.

 

[seenred]

Thanks for the welcome

SeenRed

I have a Traeger Lil Tex and its ok, like any grill or smoker it has up and down sides to it. I have had it 3 years now and for starting out it works very well and quite dumby proof. The biggest issue for me is getting pellets at a reasonable price and I should have gotten a bigger one. Now that I have a fair amount of experieince I am looking at getting a bigger stick burner to expand my capacity. We do everything from bbq to sausage and jerky in it and it works but just slow going when its that small.

Those Traegers seem like decent rigs, lotsa people putting out good 'Que with them.  I've been thinking about owning a pellet pit myself now for a while, and like to hear what other pellet owners think of their pits.  Thanks for sharing...

Red

 

[s2k9k]

Hi Scott! :welcome1: to SMF!!! We're happy you found us! You've come to the right place, we have over 45,000 members who just love to share their experience and over 900,000 posts describing it!
The search bar at the top can be your best friend when you are trying to find answers to your questions but you can still ask too if you want!

 

[mossymo]

Glad you joined us Scott! :welcome1: from North Dakota!
In the mid 80's I lived in Thief RIver Falls for a year while attending the AVTI there, those were some fun times!