Hi guys. I'm not even currently in possession of a smoker as I'm waiting on Mak to manufacture my 1-star. Last time I owned a smoker was about 15 years ago, and it was a crappy little electric one. So I figured if I was going to get back into smoking, I'd do it right and buy the best smoker I could get within my budget.
I hope to be able to pick everyone's brains to help me get better and better at cooks, as there definitely seems to be an art to making delicious smoked animal flesh. Amazing Ribs has been a great place for educating myself, and I hope joining the Pitmaster club can help even more
Hi, my name is Darrell. I'm an OTR truck driver for over 25 years. During my off time I love doing backyard cooks. I have a 48" Lang Deluxe smoker, Rec-Tec pellet smoker,1 Weber Genesis 330, 1 Weber Performer (blue), 2 Weber kettles (1 black and 1 Copper), 1 26" Weber kettle, a WSM, 8 Maverick Redi Chek thermometers, a PartyQ, 2 SnS, Grill Grates, Cast Iron grates, 1 ThermoPop (orange) and 2 ThermoPens (pink and orange) and planning on adding more cooking accessories. Now I have an Anova sous vide, the Dragon blower and 2 Chef alarms from Thermoworks.
John "JR"
Minnesota/ United States of America
******************************************** Grills/Smokers/Fryers Big Green Egg (Large) X3
Blackstone 36" Outdoor Griddle 4-Burner
Burch Barrel V-1 Karubeque C-60 Kamado Joe Jr. (Black) Lodge L410 Hibachi Pit Barrel Cooker Pit Barrel Cooker 2.0
Pit Barrel PBX
R&V Works FF2-R-ST 4-Gallon Fryer *******************************************. Thermometers
FireBoard (Base Package)
Thermoworks ThermaPen (Red)
Thermoworks MK4 (Orange)
********************************* Accessories Big Green Egg Plate Setter
Benzomatic TS800 High Temp Torch X 2 Bayou Classic 44 qt Stainless Stock Pot
Bayou Classic 35K BTU Burner Eggspander Kit X2 Finex Cat Iron Line FireBoard Drive Lots and Lots of Griswold Cast Iron Grill Grates Joule Water Circulator
KBQ Fire Grate Kick Ash Basket (KAB) X4 Lots of Lodge Cast Iron Husky 6 Drawer BBQ Equipment Cabinet Large Vortex Marlin 1894 .44 Magnum Marquette Castings No. 13 (First Run) Smithey No. 12 Smokeware Chimney Cap X 3 Stargazer No.10, 12 ******************************** Fuel FOGO Priemium Lump Charcoal Kingsford Blue and White B&B Charcoal Apple, Cherry & Oak Log splits for the C-60 ************************************************* Cutlery Buck 119 Special
Cuda 7' Fillet Knife Dexter 12" Brisket Sword Global Shun Wusthof ********** Next Major Purchase Lone Star Grillz 24 X 48 Offset
Scotch: Current favorite- The Arran (anything by them), Glenmorangie 12yr Lasanta, sherry cask finished. The Balvenie Double Wood, also like Oban 18yr, and The Glenlivet Nadurra (Oloroso sherry cask finished) among others. Neat please.
About meReal name: Aaron
Location: Farwell, Michigan - near Clare (dead center of lower peninsula).
Occupation:
Healthcare- Licensed & Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) at MyMichigan Health, a University of Michigan Health System.
​Welcome to The Pit PappyFatcap! Nice choice for getting back into smoking. I guess that applies to the Mak and The Pitmaster Club! We'll all be waiting for some bragging pics when that shiny new toy arrives!
Getting my Mak delivered tomorrow!! (5-29) I feel like it's Christmas eve!
Going into work at 2am tomorrow so I can leave at 10am and sit on my lawn, staring at my watch, waiting for the freight truck to arrive with my new toy.
Thanks to this site for everything I've learned already.
Last edited by PappyFatcap; May 28, 2015, 11:38 AM.
Dude do I know that feeling. I had the day off when my Yoder was delivered. I was pacing looking out the window every 30 seconds hoping I didn't miss it. I think I must've thought if the driver didn't see my face looking out the window for him he'd just roll on by and deliver it to someone in the next town... My driver called me when he was 30 min out or so, so that was a huge relief. I still paced though.
Welcome Pappy! We're glad you're here. You're going to like your Mak (I have a 2 star). Make sure to set aside a couple of hours for assembly (though it'll go quicker if you're good at that kind of thing).
Biggest lessons I learned on a pellet smoker are: Keep your pellets dry (airtight container). Keep your pellets fresh (don't wait 6 months to use them). Don't leave them in the hopper after you're done cooking (they'll soak up humidity in the air).
Well, the Mak is in my possession and assembled. I had to race mother nature because there were storm clouds rolling in and I wasn't sure if I was going to get it done in time. All by myself it only took about 90 minutes to get it assembled. Very easy and straightforward assembly. What a gorgeous piece of equipment this thing is. I've owned cars that were built with less care. Incredible build quality.
After the storms passed, I got a high temp burn in for almost 45 minutes. Saturday will be a seasoning by making some pig candy, and Sunday at 3am will be my first real attempt..... starting with a shoulder. Headed to Savory Spice Shop for my ingredients for Meathead's Memphis Dust in the morning.
Let's hope mother nature cooperates, as there is a chance for more storms Saturday. Can I just cook in my garage with the door open if it rains? It's fairly open in there hahaha.
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