Been reading this board for about 5 years now and finally created an account. First, I've got some good tips over the years from this board and looking to expand my cooking somewhat (hobby/for family/do sell my baby backs to friends) on the grill. Now, I like to smoke/grill but I use the Pit Barrel Cooker for the past few years and for the most part have done okay. For instance, I read here how to marinate baby backs with apple/pineapple juice and have excelled with baby backs. Don't wanna take up too much time but briefly will add a little something about myself and my love for cooking outside with my Pit Barrel cooker and little Weber grill I've had for 20 years. Born in the Northern Virginia area, Veteran, enjoys sports, over 50 plus, God-fearing, love my family, prostate cancer survivor (Thank God) who loves a great hamburger as much as great steak lol. However, I don't eat Pork besides bacon BUT...my family does so will seek to expand this year on the Pit Barrel. Now while I use the Pit Barrel, please if any advice, send them my way as I'm interested in the different ways we cook over fire. My taste buds, while I've served, worked and have been able to eat foods both CONUS and OCONUS, if I had to pick one area where I like the cuisine the most, it would be Charleston, SC. Never been to New Orleans and wifey says this is her favorite place to dine so you get the idea of my taste buds. God bless you all!
My Grill/Smoker:
Pit Barrel Cooker-I love this thing, it cuts down on time and while there are instances in which a rib to close to the fire, may get burnt, this is my go to. I tweak what I read on here and have learned through trial and error.
Weber Grill- The grill I'd call a backyard of sorts, mine is 20 years old and I use mainly for my burgers, smaller cooks like fish, veggies, hot dogs, etc.
Meats:
I buy local grassfed beef, pastured raise chickens and turkeys from local farms and the meat is the best. For Pork, I use a local Master German butcher so with the meat I get, there is NO excuse for bad anything!
What I use:
Straight up coals and wood-Kingsford, Apple, Cherry (my favorite), Hickory. Normally, I mix it up (read it on here).
Wood-Apple, Cherry, Peach (Myron the Pitmasters tip), Hickory. Think I used Pecan but I lean to the fruity woods with Hickory.
My Specialty's:
Burgers-Various recipes indirectly and my burgers are the bomb! Whether stuffed, flat/patty, they are awesome!
Hebrew International Hotdogs only-Stuffed Brazilian style. A hot dog does not have to be just a hot dog imo but I sometimes do plain Carolina style (chili, slaw, etc)
Baby Back Ribs- I'm the man...enough said (Thanks to this board). My ribs are blue ribbon type $hit lol, 3.8 on a grade scale, between 8-9 on a scale of 10 BUT...would like to master "fall of the bone" and "tender with a good bite"! A good friend (Asian lady) says my ribs are "Just right, not to soft" lol meaning a good bite... I like the expression from a foreigners view.
Baked Beans-The bomb...Again, "Blue Ribbon Type $hit" lol. As with a burger, hotdog, beans, no need to be plain imo.
BBQ Chuckies-Another recipe I stole from this board lol.
What I need help on:
Brisket-Bruh, if I tear up another one of these, will leave it at that. A brutha needs help real bad! I use a local butcher with awesome meat but only use 5 pounders.
Fish-more so recipes, cook times as it's rare I do fish. Like to order seafood from Alaska (Halibut, cod, scallops, etc.)
Pork-Not a pork eater but family does. So want to do Pulled/chopped BBQ sandwiches, pork loin roast
Beef-Just bought 1/4 side of beef, grassfed from a local butcher and will get to grilling. If any great ideas send them my way.
Fish-Ideas please.
In closing, first I hope I didn't ramble on to long. However, I've gotten some awesome help from this board and really appreciate it while continue to search for ideas. I don't cook for $$$ but enjoy it when my family likes what I grill/smoke. Also, while I grill, I'm a have my beverage (Stella, Heineken, Austrian/German brew) along with a Cuban Stick (Cohiba, Partagas, Magnum). God bless you all and glad to have found this board!
My Grill/Smoker:
Pit Barrel Cooker-I love this thing, it cuts down on time and while there are instances in which a rib to close to the fire, may get burnt, this is my go to. I tweak what I read on here and have learned through trial and error.
Weber Grill- The grill I'd call a backyard of sorts, mine is 20 years old and I use mainly for my burgers, smaller cooks like fish, veggies, hot dogs, etc.
Meats:
I buy local grassfed beef, pastured raise chickens and turkeys from local farms and the meat is the best. For Pork, I use a local Master German butcher so with the meat I get, there is NO excuse for bad anything!
What I use:
Straight up coals and wood-Kingsford, Apple, Cherry (my favorite), Hickory. Normally, I mix it up (read it on here).
Wood-Apple, Cherry, Peach (Myron the Pitmasters tip), Hickory. Think I used Pecan but I lean to the fruity woods with Hickory.
My Specialty's:
Burgers-Various recipes indirectly and my burgers are the bomb! Whether stuffed, flat/patty, they are awesome!
Hebrew International Hotdogs only-Stuffed Brazilian style. A hot dog does not have to be just a hot dog imo but I sometimes do plain Carolina style (chili, slaw, etc)
Baby Back Ribs- I'm the man...enough said (Thanks to this board). My ribs are blue ribbon type $hit lol, 3.8 on a grade scale, between 8-9 on a scale of 10 BUT...would like to master "fall of the bone" and "tender with a good bite"! A good friend (Asian lady) says my ribs are "Just right, not to soft" lol meaning a good bite... I like the expression from a foreigners view.
Baked Beans-The bomb...Again, "Blue Ribbon Type $hit" lol. As with a burger, hotdog, beans, no need to be plain imo.
BBQ Chuckies-Another recipe I stole from this board lol.
What I need help on:
Brisket-Bruh, if I tear up another one of these, will leave it at that. A brutha needs help real bad! I use a local butcher with awesome meat but only use 5 pounders.
Fish-more so recipes, cook times as it's rare I do fish. Like to order seafood from Alaska (Halibut, cod, scallops, etc.)
Pork-Not a pork eater but family does. So want to do Pulled/chopped BBQ sandwiches, pork loin roast
Beef-Just bought 1/4 side of beef, grassfed from a local butcher and will get to grilling. If any great ideas send them my way.
Fish-Ideas please.
In closing, first I hope I didn't ramble on to long. However, I've gotten some awesome help from this board and really appreciate it while continue to search for ideas. I don't cook for $$$ but enjoy it when my family likes what I grill/smoke. Also, while I grill, I'm a have my beverage (Stella, Heineken, Austrian/German brew) along with a Cuban Stick (Cohiba, Partagas, Magnum). God bless you all and glad to have found this board!
