Howdy! from Silicon Valley

[Livermoron]

Welcome!

I had the same problem finding good BBQ out here in the Bay Area. You're better off making your own.

We're out in Livermore now, but my wife grew up in Sunnyvale & we met when she was living in Santa Clara...

[EdF]

That's right! It's a matter of priorities!

[Danjohnston949]

MRJ, Welcome to "The Pit"! You are Now Enrolled in The BBQ Univ.! Attendance and Participation are Mandatory! Sorry I can't offer any advice on a Pellet Smoker! I am a Weber Kettle and COS Charcoal and Wood Smoker!
Enjoy "The Pit"!
Eat Well and Prosper! From a Backyard Cremator in Fargo ND, Dan

[Huskee]

Welcome to The Pit MRJ! Nice to have you here, thanks for your support.

[fuzzydaddy]

Welcome MRJ. It's great to have you here. Thank you for your support!

Since this is your first post, please check out our homework assignment post for new members. It contains a few how-tos and please-dos. This will help you learn your way around so you can get the best experience from our forum.

Also, it's very important that you:

• Give us an email address you actually use. You can set or change your email on file with us by clicking your name in the upper-right, then User Settings, then the Account tab.
• Add the domain AmazingRibs.com to your email safe list. We never spam! This is important to receive notices about your account, such as if you’re up for renewal or are ever drawn as our monthly Gold Medal Giveaway winner (we’d hate to have to pick another person because you don’t answer us)!

See you around The Pit!

[tbob4]

Switch condos.

[DWCowles]

Welcome MRJ

[FireMan]

Welcome aboard MJR! Maybe your condo assoc. needs some education. Gas fires are 2 to 1 over charcoal fires. Looking forward to whatever you end up with. I know nothing of pellet cookers so no input but, glad to have you & enjoy the ride!

[MRJ]

Thanks guys! I'm certainly leaning towards the MAK, but thought I'd ask anyway. ;-)

Once I get it I'll have plenty of time to ping you all about recipes and techniques...after reading up on it all hear first.

[LA Pork Butt]

Welcome to the Pit!

[fuzzydaddy]

Welcome to The Pit MRJ! I don't have a pellet smoker, but I know that MAKs are Meatheads favorite pellet smokers. In case you haven't seen our review of the MAK 2 Star, here it is.

[MBMorgan]

Welcome to the Pit, Michael ... you'll find a bunch of useful info on various BBQ/grilling rigs here: http://amazingribs.com/bbq_equipment_reviews_ratings/

[MRJ]

Hello everyone,

I'm located in the San Francisco Bay Area now after growing up in Houston. After many years of trying to find decent BBQ here I've given up and started to make my own. I'm currently hobbling along with a Weber gas grill (can't use charcoal at my condo) and a tube of pellets for smoke. Ribs come out ok, but controlling the temperature is impossible. This is especially true as my outside space is in full daylight. I'm considering a new pellet smoker now to solve most of this problem. So far I'm down to considering a MAK 2 Star or a Cookshack model. I like the cold smoker option that the MAK has (my wife can't wait to play with this), but thought I'd see if anyone has used both and can give me some help making a decision. These things aren't cheap!

Thanks in advance,
Michael