Newbie from Texas

[Longhornamus]

Hello from Texas! I have a #2 on its way as we speak and can't wait. I was very close to ordering a Masterbuilt but just was not getting a good feeling from folks on their reliability / durability. I stumbled onto this forum and did a lot of reading and was so impressed with what you guys had to say I took the plunge. I don't mind spending a little more for quality and did not want to go through the hassle of fixing / replacing a unit in the event my luck ran like it usually does......I have been using an offset smoker for 15 years or so, and noticed that over time I just had less and less time to dedicate to cooking with it. Life just gets in the way I guess. Anyway, since I do work from home most days, I figured that this smoker would be so perfect, not having to babysit it like I do my pit. That, coupled with the fact that I can set it to cooking overnight while I sleep and that really opens up a whole new world for me. As I get older I realize that getting up at 3:00am to put a brisket on the pit is no longer very appealing......Well, I've probably written more than you wanted to read so I will pinch it off at that. I will keep everyone posted on my experiences with my new smoker!

PS. I am a member on some hunting forums and I have to say that this forum is rather refreshing. Everyone supports each other and do not get snippy with each other. Rather refreshing!

 

[NDKoze]

Welcome from ND!

From the sounds of it, the #2 should work perfectly for what you are looking for out of a smoker.

I almost went the Masterbuilt route too, and am really glad that I found this forum.

One of the biggest differences you'll find compared with a wood burner is that you just need a fraction of the wood that you're used to using.

This forum is simply awesome! I belong to several truck forums and the like and this one is by far the most fun and helpful one I have been part of.

 

[tnlyne]

Welcome to forums and #2 ownership Keith. This place is fantastic! I'm preparing to create a fatty in my smoker today and doing ribs tomorrow. I've never done a fatty so I'm real curious to try it. The taste you get from the food and recommendations here are the best.

 

[1stlink]

Welcome aboard Keith. I believe that you have made a very wise decision and will have many years of lazy Q time... 

 

[DivotMaker]

Welcome aboard, Keith!  We're practically neighbors!  Sorry about your long horns at the hands of our razorbacks, though.  lol.

You're one of many "converts" from the pits!  You experienced pit masters are a great resource for all of us.  Your biggest challenge will be changing lots of the old, ingrained techniques you used with your offset, like spritzing, mopping, foiling, tending, etc...  You're in for a whole new world of Q!  Now, you can focus on the meat prep and wood selection for the flavor you want, not the actual cooking process!

You'll still occasionally get up at 3 a.m. to put a butt or brisket on, but the cool thing is, you'll be back in bed 20 minutes later!

 

[Longhornamus]

Thank you guys for the warm welcome. The pit is due to arrive Tuesday and am getting really excited. The weather down here is pitiful this weekend so I am kind of glad it did not come in this past week. Nothing like staring at a toy you can't play with.....

PS. My Horns shall rise again!!!....I hope........

 

[DivotMaker]

Oh, I forgot to mention your comments about the forum - Thank You!  We have a really great bunch of folks on here, and it's easy to keep it civil when you have a like-minded group like this!  We're all on the path to perfect Q, and the more experiences/techniques/opinions we have, the better for all!  Looking forward to your participation and experience!

 

[NDKoze]

Not much weather will stop you from using your new smoker. Temperature would never stop me. The only thing that could stop me would be precipitation.

 

[Longhornamus]

Yes sir, living along the gulf coast brings in some rain at the most inconvenient times. Been trying to get up to our property in the Piney woods to do some hunting, but it seems like it has rained every weekend during the season. If it hasn't been raining, then it something comes up with work........Oh well, that's life I guess. At least I can hunt some hogs on the off season...

 

[goldentouch]

Welcome from East Texas    I have a number 2 and it does everything I ask.  I have 4 racks of beef back ribs on now.  I am only using 2 racks so there is plenty of room for twice the meat.  I have other electric smokers but this is the best  Happy smoking

 

[Longhornamus]

It's good to hear from a fellow Texan! I love it up there in the Piney Woods! We bought some acreage up there and really love it. Hope the ribs turned out nice!