Moderator, March 2017 - present
Well....My real name is John Bowlsby, I usually go by J.R because me and my Father have the same name and middle name is Robert. I am 32 years old, and I live west of Minneapolis, Minnesota, about 20 miles. I love spending time on the lakes and going up to northern Minnesota.
I have always been interested in cooking, even as a kid. I loved to help my mom in the kitchen. She loved to make all kinds of hearty mid-western meals that were outstanding, but they have contributed significantly to my current physique. My interest in BBQ probably started where most people's started.....out on the deck with my Dad flipping burgers and steaks. I remember as a kid, taking the seats out of the back of our Volkswagen Bus, driving to a cattle farm and filling the whole thing with frozen meat. Then I me and my brothers would pile in and have to sit on the frozen meat, all the way home! Dad was in charge of grilling. he usually made burgers, steaks and kabobs on our Brinkmann gasser. When I was in high school, I got my first smoker. A Brinkmann Vertical Electric Smoker. I played around with this sucker for about 10 years, off and on. I would put out some decent food but I knew nothing of what I was doing. In the winter of 2012, my brothers all got together and surprised me with a Broil King Keg. (I still think they did this for their own benefit as much as mine) I was hooked after I did my first cook, NY Strips.(Even thought I really didn't know what the Heck I was doing)
In 2014, I discovered AmazingRibs.com and everything changed from there. Four years later, I now own a Broil King Keg, Pit Barrel Cooker, Webber Kettle with SNS, a Lodge Hibachi, Kamado Joe Jr and a Karubeque. I fell, cut and split my own wood for BBQ. Oak, Cherry and Apple are my staples. I also have more accessories than I can possibly use at once. Like most of you, Amazing Ribs has totally changed the way I look at cooking. I owe all of my BBQ success and knowledge to the articles and people here. This really is an awesome place to hang out.
In my free time, other than BBQ, I love to Scuba dive, when I get the chance. If I could do one thing the rest of my life, I would be diving. I hope to, one day, have a small place in the Caribbean where I can shore dive the days away! I also love Cast Iron restoration, dogs, fishing, being in the outdoors, solitude and anything science related. I love spending time with my family as much as possible. I am a family first type of guy. There is nothing in this world more important to me than my family. This is probably why BBQ was a natural fit for me, it brings everyone together!
I am grateful and honored to be a moderator here at AmazingRibs.com. My fellow Pit members are what makes The Pit a truly special place. I am looking forward to hanging out with all of you in the Pit for years to come!!!
Keep the Smoke Rollin' !!!!!!
-Spinaker
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