46yrs old, from Eastern NC, currently living in Northern KY. Been around smoking/cooking since I was a kid. My Family has an annual Pig Pickin' (In its 52nd year, this year)(about 400 people). Grew up, doing most of the work for the smokers (manning the Char barrel) so all my Dad and Uncles had to do was tell me when and where to shovel the coals under the hog. Progressed from there. I love this kind of cooking because the long cooking times always provide lots of time (and a good excuse) for hanging out and drinking with friends and family.
I would never say I'm an expert. I have successfully cooked almost everything but I have also struggled from time to time (keeping temps stable mainly) and cooked food that didn't meet my standards although rarely complaints from others. I have certainly invested in many different types of smokers (Green Egg, Homemade, Master Built, Pellet Types) currently I am using a 22" Weber Smoky Mountain Cooker with a DigiQ kit. Usually also use an idevices Bluetooth temp probes to monitor meat temp.
Love smoking and cooking in general. Always looking for new ideas, recipes and tips from other's experience. Prefer doing things the old fashion way when I have time but I find myself using new gadgets to make it easier because I just don't make the time very often to do things the way I was taught. Usually stay true to family recipes but cooking methods vary depending on time. Glad to be a new member of the forum!
I would never say I'm an expert. I have successfully cooked almost everything but I have also struggled from time to time (keeping temps stable mainly) and cooked food that didn't meet my standards although rarely complaints from others. I have certainly invested in many different types of smokers (Green Egg, Homemade, Master Built, Pellet Types) currently I am using a 22" Weber Smoky Mountain Cooker with a DigiQ kit. Usually also use an idevices Bluetooth temp probes to monitor meat temp.
Love smoking and cooking in general. Always looking for new ideas, recipes and tips from other's experience. Prefer doing things the old fashion way when I have time but I find myself using new gadgets to make it easier because I just don't make the time very often to do things the way I was taught. Usually stay true to family recipes but cooking methods vary depending on time. Glad to be a new member of the forum!