I've been smoking for quite a few years, but for some odd reason never came across this forum. Too bad - looks like a great place!
I especially like the fact there is some smoker design discussions going on. I've been building smokers for a few years now, none too good(!) but enjoying it. Getting ready to start a new project tomorrow, unless the honey-dos catch me first.
I'm retired software engineer, with some electronics background thrown in to make it shocking. I automated some devices a few years back, which are similar to the BBQ Guru, although mine was all natural draft - no fans. Have a circuit almost finished for recording 8 channels of temperatures - combustion, smoker, exhaust, outside air, meat, etc, - and recording on an SD Card. Hope to have it out in kit form this fall.
I've collected quite a few smokers over the years: A vertical (which I'm really enjoying), a Big Green Egg (sorta moving off of it), a Hondo offset (I gave away), a bullet water smoker (electric), and a couple of my designs that I gave away as I got more experience. For grilling, a gas grill and a big Weber Dome, which I like a lot!
For years I've been cooking with lump, even making my own lump, but recently have been impressed with Kingfords Competition Charcoal, so have been doing quite a bit of smoking and grilling with it. If you haven't tried this and like lump, then give it a try!
I cook mostly pork shoulder, but have recently decided I wanted to become better at ribs, so have done some concentration there over the past month - 10 tests! Not too much brisket, but like it, but mine isn't the best...yet!
Have cooked at one competition, the Big Pig Jig about 10 years ago. Did OK for a first time, but decided that wasn't for me - you've got to try and cook for what the judges want, and after this many years, I feel like no judge is capable of telling me what constitutes good BBQ!
Looking forward to hanging out with you!
Originally from Charleston SC, and Lake Waccamaw NC. Wife is from Fayetteville NC. Have lived all over the USA.
Banjo
I especially like the fact there is some smoker design discussions going on. I've been building smokers for a few years now, none too good(!) but enjoying it. Getting ready to start a new project tomorrow, unless the honey-dos catch me first.
I'm retired software engineer, with some electronics background thrown in to make it shocking. I automated some devices a few years back, which are similar to the BBQ Guru, although mine was all natural draft - no fans. Have a circuit almost finished for recording 8 channels of temperatures - combustion, smoker, exhaust, outside air, meat, etc, - and recording on an SD Card. Hope to have it out in kit form this fall.
I've collected quite a few smokers over the years: A vertical (which I'm really enjoying), a Big Green Egg (sorta moving off of it), a Hondo offset (I gave away), a bullet water smoker (electric), and a couple of my designs that I gave away as I got more experience. For grilling, a gas grill and a big Weber Dome, which I like a lot!
For years I've been cooking with lump, even making my own lump, but recently have been impressed with Kingfords Competition Charcoal, so have been doing quite a bit of smoking and grilling with it. If you haven't tried this and like lump, then give it a try!
I cook mostly pork shoulder, but have recently decided I wanted to become better at ribs, so have done some concentration there over the past month - 10 tests! Not too much brisket, but like it, but mine isn't the best...yet!
Have cooked at one competition, the Big Pig Jig about 10 years ago. Did OK for a first time, but decided that wasn't for me - you've got to try and cook for what the judges want, and after this many years, I feel like no judge is capable of telling me what constitutes good BBQ!
Looking forward to hanging out with you!
Originally from Charleston SC, and Lake Waccamaw NC. Wife is from Fayetteville NC. Have lived all over the USA.
Banjo
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