IDBillzFan Posted February 17, 2016 Share Posted February 17, 2016 I don't have any friends. Yeah, I was gonna say... I'm married and have an 11-year-old. If I can make make great Q and still spend my weekend doing things with them, Traeger wins every time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eball Posted February 17, 2016 Share Posted February 17, 2016 I love my new Traeger Grill. You'll notice the guy who runs smoking-meat.com website got one before the holidays and loves it. I made the smoked prime rib for Christmas, which he also did on his Traeger. I bought this at Costco, though they changed the model number a bit and the price was $200 less, and it is one of the best investments I've made for outdoor cooking. They make them smaller and less expensive, but we tend to cook big at my house, so I needed the extra real estate. You can check with your Costco when they are coming to town for their next tour. You're using wood pellets, and the system feeds the chamber while digitally maintaining the heat perfectly. In other words, unless you enjoy killing a day monitoring the temperature and feeding the smoker, you literally light it, heat it, put your meat on it, close it, and return when the meat is done. You can do ribs low and slow and never lift a finger until they're done. We made smoked almonds, and jarred them up as gifts for Christmas and people think I'm a smoking genius. Note: I have a couple of friends who compete nationally in smoking competitions, and as purists they feel like a machine that auto feeds wood chips and maintains temperature control is for wussies. They can suck it because I love the fact that I can do other things with my day than stand next to a smoker, and STILL have great food at the end of the day. That thing looks awesome. Dammit, you've now caused me to consider a 1K purchase I didn't think I needed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gugny Posted February 17, 2016 Share Posted February 17, 2016 Yeah, I was gonna say... I'm married and have an 11-year-old. If I can make make great Q and still spend my weekend doing things with them, Traeger wins every time. Yeah, I'm married with a soon-to-be 13-year-old and I totally dig what you're saying. But most of my outdoor food cooking is just grilling with charcoal. I've only smoked once (a brisket from Boyst) and just used my charcoal grill to do it. Maybe we can be friends, seeing how we have so much in common. Then we can smoke for each other. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bullpen Posted February 17, 2016 Share Posted February 17, 2016 I have an upright (bullet type) smoker that runs on charcoal This one: https://www.forfoodsmokers.co.uk/acatalog/proq-excel-20-premier-food-smoker.html Also have Texas charcoal grill with a side smoker box similar to this: http://www.shopladder.com/heavy-duty-offset-charcoal-and-wood-smoker-and-grill-p631339.htm?utm_medium=ppc&utm_source=google-shopladder.com&utm_term=631339&utm_content=PLA-631339 I'm not resistant to technology or think automated, electic controlled pellet smokers are for "cheaters." For me, I actually enjoy the time invested in it (and because it gets me out of other obligations like socializing with the inlaws and such). With the upright I can load it up and leave it be for at least two and sometimes four hours at a time without having to babysit the fire. All that being said, this little devil is really handy for either cold smoking cheeses or almonds, as well as adding a little extra smoke flavor to more dense meats. https://www.amazenproducts.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=AMNTS I don't think there's really a right or wrong way to smoke foods, it all depends on your needs and how much of your day/evening/weekend you want to commit to the hobby. For me, a six pack of Shiner Bock, some SRV playing in the background and a few hours on my deck with my smoker is a great Saturday afternoon. Enjoy the window shopping experience and weigh the pros and cons of each. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chef Jim Posted February 17, 2016 Share Posted February 17, 2016 that's part of the appeal to me, if i am gonna smoke meat, i clear out the day or at least keep my activities limited to being in close proximity And that's what I don't like about smoking. I love the results but I just can't hang around all day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gugny Posted February 17, 2016 Share Posted February 17, 2016 And that's what I don't like about smoking. I love the results but I just can't hang around all day. What if your food trailer featured some smoked goods? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plenzmd1 Posted February 17, 2016 Share Posted February 17, 2016 And that's what I don't like about smoking. I love the results but I just can't hang around all day. don't know about the smaller egg, but that was the main consideration for why i went the ceramic route. 60 minutes to the temp pegged, generally good for the next 9-12 or so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chef Jim Posted February 17, 2016 Share Posted February 17, 2016 don't know about the smaller egg, but that was the main consideration for why i went the ceramic route. 60 minutes to the temp pegged, generally good for the next 9-12 or so. Yes the BGE holds the temp spot on forever. Issue is I have a smaller egg and end up with the heat being too direct. I know there is a plate you can put over the heat so it's not so direct but didn't find one. I'm sticking with making the cured meats and getting the BBQ from a local joint....for now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IDBillzFan Posted February 17, 2016 Share Posted February 17, 2016 Yeah, I'm married with a soon-to-be 13-year-old and I totally dig what you're saying. But most of my outdoor food cooking is just grilling with charcoal. I've only smoked once (a brisket from Boyst) and just used my charcoal grill to do it. Maybe we can be friends, seeing how we have so much in common. Then we can smoke for each other. We probably could be friends, except for the fact that I basically, y'know, don't like people. That thing looks awesome. Dammit, you've now caused me to consider a 1K purchase I didn't think I needed. You don't need to spend a grand. Traeger does road shows at Costco where they set up shop for a couple of weeks. Your Costco will tell you when they're in town. That'll save you a couple hundred at least. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jauronimo Posted February 17, 2016 Share Posted February 17, 2016 I don't have any friends. On margin, having friends is pretty cool but its a slippery slope. As I learned recently after moving to TX, you make one friend, then two, then you've got friends in the plural and you meet their friends and loved ones then you have lots of friends and next thing you know you're on a first name basis with TRBJ. In real life!!!!! Speaking of which, RIP Joe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chef Jim Posted February 17, 2016 Share Posted February 17, 2016 We probably could be friends, except for the fact that I basically, y'know, don't like people. Huh...you too? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Punching Bag Posted February 17, 2016 Share Posted February 17, 2016 So what do you recommend as small starter smoker? I love smoked meats but will never be doing more than small turkey or lamb since I have a small family. I like the taste of smoked meats so want more than just well cooked fall of the bone meat but the hickory smoke flavor. On subject of BBQ if you are driving thru PA to game in Buffalo I recommend this place for really BBQ on the way: Gio's Woodland Food & Fuel 2829 Woodland Bigler Hwy, Woodland, PA 16881 it is a gas place but they sell real good food there. I drive from via I-99 and cut thru that area on way to 219. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eball Posted February 17, 2016 Share Posted February 17, 2016 We probably could be friends, except for the fact that I basically, y'know, don't like people. You don't need to spend a grand. Traeger does road shows at Costco where they set up shop for a couple of weeks. Your Costco will tell you when they're in town. That'll save you a couple hundred at least. Thanks for the tip. Calling Costco pronto. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ricojes Posted February 18, 2016 Author Share Posted February 18, 2016 I started out this fall and got this: Weber Smokey Mountain http://www.amazon.com/Weber-731001-Mountain-22-Inch-Charcoal/dp/B001I8ZTJA/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1455653776&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=smoky+mountain The guy in the 6th picture down on the amazon site, tending to the smoker with a hammock in the background, pretty much sums up what I am looking for.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IDBillzFan Posted February 18, 2016 Share Posted February 18, 2016 The guy in the 6th picture down on the amazon site, tending to the smoker with a hammock in the background, pretty much sums up what I am looking for.... He's not wearing a ring, so it seems you have a shot. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chef Jim Posted February 18, 2016 Share Posted February 18, 2016 The guy in the 6th picture down on the amazon site, tending to the smoker with a hammock in the background, pretty much sums up what I am looking for.... I can't sit around like that. I'm too hyper or something. If I'm cooking I have to constantly be busy and on the move. That's why, once again, I'm into the cured meats thing. Once you've cured it and hung it to dry you're essentially done for 4-6 weeks. You move on to the next project. It's a shame really because when I've done some smoking the results are amazing and I love me a good Q. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plenzmd1 Posted February 18, 2016 Share Posted February 18, 2016 So what do you recommend as small starter smoker? I love smoked meats but will never be doing more than small turkey or lamb since I have a small family. I like the taste of smoked meats so want more than just well cooked fall of the bone meat but the hickory smoke flavor. On subject of BBQ if you are driving thru PA to game in Buffalo I recommend this place for really BBQ on the way: Gio's Woodland Food & Fuel 2829 Woodland Bigler Hwy, Woodland, PA 16881 it is a gas place but they sell real good food there. I drive from via I-99 and cut thru that area on way to 219. I drive that y as well,I see that place all the time, if it is the place that is right off of 80 as you are heading back to 99. Have never stopped as we always bring sandwiches with us as am not a big fan of fast food on a long drive....maybe next time will plan to get some Q from there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Poojer Posted February 18, 2016 Share Posted February 18, 2016 i stopped at what sounds like a similar type of place near the SC/GA border on 95, it's a bbq place run by what appears to be a couple of women, behind a gas station, food was out of this world. I need to figure out the name of it, had stopped near there many times and always was lured by the smell but never stopped, this past november i did and it was an instant classic. I drive that y as well,I see that place all the time, if it is the place that is right off of 80 as you are heading back to 99. Have never stopped as we always bring sandwiches with us as am not a big fan of fast food on a long drive....maybe next time will plan to get some Q from there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zona Posted February 18, 2016 Share Posted February 18, 2016 (edited) gugny, Here is the link(hopefully) to the thread that explains it all. http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?t=23436 It is very long. i mean VERY long. but you can jump around and see lots of pics. And get lots of instructions on how to do it. I didn't use a kit to build it. I started with 4- 55 gal food drums bought of of craigslist. I paid to have them sandblasted. Drilled my holes, and bought my parts. assembled. Painted. seasoning burn with a nice thick coating of pam, nice and hot. and Voila! instant smoker.if i knew how to upload photos from my pc, i would....cant seem to figure it out... Edited February 18, 2016 by Zona Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrags Posted November 3, 2016 Share Posted November 3, 2016 The guy in the 6th picture down on the amazon site, tending to the smoker with a hammock in the background, pretty much sums up what I am looking for....hey bud, was just looking at this thread and wondered if you ever got your smoker and smoked a whole mess over the summer? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts