A friend of a friend slaughtered a hog. I wound up with 2.5 pounds of very uniform pork belly, about 50/50. Cured for 2+ days per free side recipe.
Today, fired up KBQ. Bought used rig, in as new condition with wheels added, early summer 2024. Barely used it before universal fire bans here. In 2025 I got sick with an abscessed cyst, nearly died, no KBQ action.
Have much apple and cherry wood. Alligator lopper works well to cut these irregular gnarly pieces to size.
Built fire with half chimney charcoal. About an hour to get all up to 225.
The thermostat control is surprisingly accurate.
Lost fire control when sister in law arrived and we got immersed in the various family medical issues. Temp dropped to 130. Dropped in 5 briquettes, then some wood, got temp back. Checked at 2 hours, meat was slightly in excess of 150. Pulled it; perfect.
My wife does not particularly care for bacon. But she thinks this smoked, but not yet fried, bacon is the best she has ever had.
Re fire ban. I emailed county fire Marshall in 2024, suggesting that banning all outdoor cooking devices was not necessary, per Uniform Fire Code. I have had no response, but subsequent bans have exempted outdoor cooking devices powered by propane, and I believe, powered by electricity. KBQ has to be plugged in. So,???
Re fuel consumption. Parsimonious. Don't need big fire. Need hot fire. My great uncle Fred used to say, Indian make small fire, make small smoke.
But you have to be there, paying attention.
.
Today, fired up KBQ. Bought used rig, in as new condition with wheels added, early summer 2024. Barely used it before universal fire bans here. In 2025 I got sick with an abscessed cyst, nearly died, no KBQ action.
Have much apple and cherry wood. Alligator lopper works well to cut these irregular gnarly pieces to size.
Built fire with half chimney charcoal. About an hour to get all up to 225.
The thermostat control is surprisingly accurate.
Lost fire control when sister in law arrived and we got immersed in the various family medical issues. Temp dropped to 130. Dropped in 5 briquettes, then some wood, got temp back. Checked at 2 hours, meat was slightly in excess of 150. Pulled it; perfect.
My wife does not particularly care for bacon. But she thinks this smoked, but not yet fried, bacon is the best she has ever had.
Re fire ban. I emailed county fire Marshall in 2024, suggesting that banning all outdoor cooking devices was not necessary, per Uniform Fire Code. I have had no response, but subsequent bans have exempted outdoor cooking devices powered by propane, and I believe, powered by electricity. KBQ has to be plugged in. So,???
Re fuel consumption. Parsimonious. Don't need big fire. Need hot fire. My great uncle Fred used to say, Indian make small fire, make small smoke.
But you have to be there, paying attention.
.
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