mikep in tucson
Newbie
Hi folks,
just found this website and forum. I am looking forward to exchanging information on smoking.
I am a Rhode Island transplant, having come to Tucson in 1966 while I was in the US Air Force. Just stayed after my discharge because I love the heat and hate cold. Retired in 2004, having worked for both the City of Tucson and the University of Arizona.
I sarted slow cmoking a good 20+ years ago, with a small ECB. A couple of years later, I "graduated" to a bigger ECB, the "Gourmet". They worked, but certainly not the optimal way to smoke.
Fast forward to the present -- around 1995, got my first offset, a New Braunfels smoker. Got in first my comp, ribs only, in 2005. The following year, my BBQ teammate died suddenly and I inherited his offset smoker, an Oklahoma Joe's, really heave duty. Then, I think it was in 2008 I got my first bullet smoker, a ProQ Excel 20, which I have been using ever since. Here is a picture of what my setup looked like:
I had done a few small comps (ribs only or ribs & chicken), then last year teamed up with another guy in Tucson to do full comps. We have done 5 so far, but haven't walked yet -- still hoping.
A couple of weeks ago, at the Arizona BBQ Festival competition, I won a custom-built "UDS". Actually, it is AZBBQGRILLS take on a UDS. Here are the details:
Drum is 36 H by 24 W 14 Ga Metal
One rack at 23 inch diameter. Heat deflector of diffuser 3/16 Steel plate no holes. 3.5 inch exhaust 3 inch air intake. Gasket sealed at the top only. Fire basket 15 inch diameter by 6 inches deep. All vents can be operated without bending over.
She is a beauty, for sure -- has a pwder coating paint job -- Harley Davidson wrinkle black.
I am looking forward to being able to get some tips on operating this thing of beauty from some of you knowledgeable UDS experts.
just found this website and forum. I am looking forward to exchanging information on smoking.
I am a Rhode Island transplant, having come to Tucson in 1966 while I was in the US Air Force. Just stayed after my discharge because I love the heat and hate cold. Retired in 2004, having worked for both the City of Tucson and the University of Arizona.
I sarted slow cmoking a good 20+ years ago, with a small ECB. A couple of years later, I "graduated" to a bigger ECB, the "Gourmet". They worked, but certainly not the optimal way to smoke.
Fast forward to the present -- around 1995, got my first offset, a New Braunfels smoker. Got in first my comp, ribs only, in 2005. The following year, my BBQ teammate died suddenly and I inherited his offset smoker, an Oklahoma Joe's, really heave duty. Then, I think it was in 2008 I got my first bullet smoker, a ProQ Excel 20, which I have been using ever since. Here is a picture of what my setup looked like:
I had done a few small comps (ribs only or ribs & chicken), then last year teamed up with another guy in Tucson to do full comps. We have done 5 so far, but haven't walked yet -- still hoping.
A couple of weeks ago, at the Arizona BBQ Festival competition, I won a custom-built "UDS". Actually, it is AZBBQGRILLS take on a UDS. Here are the details:
Drum is 36 H by 24 W 14 Ga Metal
One rack at 23 inch diameter. Heat deflector of diffuser 3/16 Steel plate no holes. 3.5 inch exhaust 3 inch air intake. Gasket sealed at the top only. Fire basket 15 inch diameter by 6 inches deep. All vents can be operated without bending over.
She is a beauty, for sure -- has a pwder coating paint job -- Harley Davidson wrinkle black.
I am looking forward to being able to get some tips on operating this thing of beauty from some of you knowledgeable UDS experts.
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