Greetings

[tig219]

Hello all.  All my friends call me Tig and this has been my nickname since I can remember.  I live in Northeastern Minnesota and am new to the smoking world, but I am totally hooked.  I have always loved to grill but always thought of "smoked" as oily and over smoked fish that buddies would bring as a snack to gatherings.  It wasn't until I started to watch BBQ Pitmasters that I realized there was this whole world out there that I was missing out on.  I became addicted to the show and wanting to learn to cook that way.  My darling, who always seems to be in tune with what I am thinking, got me the ultimate birthday gift this last winter.  She signed us both up for the smoking class offered by kickassbbq down by the Twin Cities.  This class was well worth the money and she in turn created a monster!!  After we got back home she told me to get a smoker.  We bought a Masterbuilt Digital from Sams Club a few months ago and have primarily done ribs and salmon, both of which have turned out great.  Then for Father's Day I got the Smoke Hollow grill/smoker.  The kids in turn get lots of meals from it.  I use my Masterbuilt smoker, my Smoke Hollow, and my LEM 10 tray dehydrator often.  I am getting more and more into different recipes and try to do as much on my own as possible in regards to rubs and jerky seasonings.  I don't care a lot for the pre-made jerky seasonings as they tend to be too salty.  My darling is amazing with putting together seasonings, and in blind taste tests with friends they always seem to choose her seasoned jerky as their favorites.  Tonight I smoked a whole chicken with Hickory smoke and a rub from Myron's site as well as grilled potatoes and sweet corn.  What a great meal!!  I am just starting to experiment with high temp cheese and looking forward to pork butts and beef briskets.  It is a great hobby that benefits friends and family. 

 

[smokinhusker]

Hello Tig and welcome to SMF! Congrats on the new toys. Loads of great info here and helpful folks.

Would you mind updating your profile to include a location? It helps when answering questions etc to know where you are located.

Thanks

 

[jrod62]

Welcome to SMF :welcome1:
I went to kickassbbq class last year when he came to Illinois to his buddy house down here.
He likes the " Hot and fast" smoking. I learned alot from him.

 

[s2k9k]

Hi Tig! 

 [color= rgb(24, 24, 24)]to SMF!!! We're happy you found us! You've come to the right place, there's lot's of great people here who love to share and help each other out! Would you do us a favor and update your profile to include your location, Thanks![/color]

You might want to check out Jeff's Free 5 day E-course, it will teach you all the basics and a whole lot more: http://www.smoking-meat.com/smoking-basics-ecourse.html

 

[tig219]

I live near Duluth Minnesota, where the weather is as crazy as can be due to Lake Superior.  It can be 95 degrees over "the hill" and 60 degrees just a few miles away "below the hill". 

I smoked with lump charcoal on Sunday and found it difficult to keep the 300 degrees I wanted.  I was talking to a buddy yesterday and he recommended using the same matting used on the inside of furnaces to line my firebox.  He is in the heating and cooling business and said it comes as a soft mesh and once "fired" it gets hard and is rated for 1500 degrees.  Anybody else try this before, and if so did it work?

 

[scarbelly]

 Hello Tig and 

to SMF - glad to have you here. Sounds like you have a great start 

 

[mossymo]

Glad you joined us Tig!