Greetings from Northern Virginia

[marijohn96]

Hi everyone - just joined the site today. Been at BBQ for several years now, but just joined the site because of everything I've been learning - pay it back (and forward?), ya know? In any case, happy to be here. Run a couple of 22.5 inch Weber grills, plus a smaller one, but am getting more serious now as I just purchased a WSM. Following the Harry Soo recommendations for breaking it in. Did a full heat burn yesterday, been running on the first "grease up" since this morning - been amazed how easy it is to control the temp thus far - adjusting just the bottom vents, I ran between 250 and 275 for the better part of six hours, with the bottom vents probably 85% closed. when the temp started dropping toward 225, I started opening up the bottom vents (at about 6.5 hours in). Coals are pretty well dead now, temp has dropped to about 180 and is continuing to fall, but am currently at 7.5 hours since starting. Overcast day, occasional very light rain, ambient temp around 70 degrees F.

Looking forward to being involved with this group. Got some ribs and brisket in the fridge that I may do up this weekend, or perhaps later in the week. Also got my first batch of bacon curing in the fridge right now, planning to smoke that probably on Tuesday afternoon.

Full disclosure - am only in NoVA for the next couple of months - moving to Prague in August. Plenty of pork there!

best,

john

[kmhfive]

Welcome to fun and learning! Enjoy the new cooker.

[Mr. Bones]

Howdy from Kansas Territory, welcome to th' Pit!
Sounds like ya' got yer Game On, glad yer here with us, mebbe I can learn a thing, or two...

[Nate]

Welcome from Indiana

[MBMorgan]

Welcome from Colorado, John ...

[EdF]

Well, you know what they say around here - we're going to want to be seeing the fruits of your weekend endeavors! Prague - cool!

[RonB]

Welcome to The Pit from another Virginian.

[marijohn96]

Thanks everybody - a thought - as I was running my setup today, based on reviews on the web, I expected smoke to be pouring out of the door that came with the WSM. Saw basically none - anyone else using the factory supplied door with success?

[Mr. Bones]

Factory Door is otay, here, X 2 18.5 WSM's Leaks a lil' smoke, nuthin' to worry 'bout...

[marijohn96]

roger that, thanks. I bought some bulk gasket tape that I'll use if it becomes an issue, but it doesn't seem like that's the case.

[DWCowles]

Welcome marijohn96

[LA Pork Butt]

Welcome to the Pit!

[Thunder77]

Welcome to the Pit from just up the road in Baltimore!

[T-bone]

Howdy Neighbor (I'm in NOVA too). Have fun in The Pit! Best of luck in Prague. I visited there last year and had a great time. It's an awesome city.

[Spinaker]

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