Bill Elwell
TVWBB Pro
OK, I know that sounds corny coming from a guy from South Jersey, but I've lived in about 8 States (some more than once) and Germany twice (9 years total).
Currently living back in IL since 2004. I retired in 2010 (7 years active Army followed by 30 years of Federal Civil Service in Weapons Acquisition Logistics, Maintenance and Logistics Assistance Representative). Since I was only 55, I realized I needed of a couple more hobbies.
Since then I've taken up archery (before the Hunger Games fad) and smoking...meat. (I quit smoking in 1990).
I've been a home brewer since 1994, all grain, bottle & keg. I usually have two brews on tap and another 8 kegs stored in a keezer (keg freezer). I also employ a home made Son of Ferment Chiller (basically a real "ice box") when needed. I just bottled a 5 gallon batch of hard cider and 10 gallons of Hefe Weizen this week. I’ve also been playing guitar since 1971 (boy, are my fingers tired
). I've also vacationed in 49 States and over 24 countries (some many of times) on 3 continents.
I've been smoking for a few years (just never visited this site) so I’m not a true noob. ; ‘ )
I have a WSM 22.5". Here’s a list of my mods and enhancements since it’s delivery:
1. Mounted the base (legs) to on a dolly (also modified, made larger) so I can move it around the patio easier.
2. A welding blanket, to keep the cold off. I hang it from the bottom of the deck and it works great.
3. A second bottom grate. I added 4 threaded rods to the bottom grate where the 3rd grate mounts as needed. Basically, taking the cooking surface from 700+ square inches to 1000+.
4. A Maverick ET-733. I was pretty pleased with it, but was still getting pretty tired of checking and adjusting the dampers.
5. Last Fall I purchased a DigiQ and it was a game changer.
6. I purchased a Nomex gasket kit about 2 weeks ago. That, combined with the DigiQ, has made the process of smoking a REAL pleasure…again.
7. TBA (To Be Announced) In the quest of bigger and (hopefully) better, I still want to build an Out House-style cook shack (on a dolly) so I can move it out from under the deck and not have to worry about the weather so much.
We asked the kids and grandkids what they wanted for Christmas and 2 of them said they would really like some pulled pork. Well, Christmastime weather was not the best, but a couple of weeks ago we hit 57F, so I went for it. I smoked 3 butts (20# start, 10# end product) and a rack of Baby Back Ribs the day after the gasket arrived. I ended up bagging all of it…after having a meal from it. The kids got the most of it. Luckily, I still have 3 butts, a 13# packer brisket and 5 rack of ribs in the freezer…and another packer brisket I picked up today.
I hope I did this right...
But enough about me…how about you guys?
Bill
Currently living back in IL since 2004. I retired in 2010 (7 years active Army followed by 30 years of Federal Civil Service in Weapons Acquisition Logistics, Maintenance and Logistics Assistance Representative). Since I was only 55, I realized I needed of a couple more hobbies.
Since then I've taken up archery (before the Hunger Games fad) and smoking...meat. (I quit smoking in 1990).
I've been a home brewer since 1994, all grain, bottle & keg. I usually have two brews on tap and another 8 kegs stored in a keezer (keg freezer). I also employ a home made Son of Ferment Chiller (basically a real "ice box") when needed. I just bottled a 5 gallon batch of hard cider and 10 gallons of Hefe Weizen this week. I’ve also been playing guitar since 1971 (boy, are my fingers tired
). I've also vacationed in 49 States and over 24 countries (some many of times) on 3 continents.I've been smoking for a few years (just never visited this site) so I’m not a true noob. ; ‘ )
I have a WSM 22.5". Here’s a list of my mods and enhancements since it’s delivery:
1. Mounted the base (legs) to on a dolly (also modified, made larger) so I can move it around the patio easier.
2. A welding blanket, to keep the cold off. I hang it from the bottom of the deck and it works great.
3. A second bottom grate. I added 4 threaded rods to the bottom grate where the 3rd grate mounts as needed. Basically, taking the cooking surface from 700+ square inches to 1000+.
4. A Maverick ET-733. I was pretty pleased with it, but was still getting pretty tired of checking and adjusting the dampers.
5. Last Fall I purchased a DigiQ and it was a game changer.
6. I purchased a Nomex gasket kit about 2 weeks ago. That, combined with the DigiQ, has made the process of smoking a REAL pleasure…again.
7. TBA (To Be Announced) In the quest of bigger and (hopefully) better, I still want to build an Out House-style cook shack (on a dolly) so I can move it out from under the deck and not have to worry about the weather so much.
We asked the kids and grandkids what they wanted for Christmas and 2 of them said they would really like some pulled pork. Well, Christmastime weather was not the best, but a couple of weeks ago we hit 57F, so I went for it. I smoked 3 butts (20# start, 10# end product) and a rack of Baby Back Ribs the day after the gasket arrived. I ended up bagging all of it…after having a meal from it. The kids got the most of it. Luckily, I still have 3 butts, a 13# packer brisket and 5 rack of ribs in the freezer…and another packer brisket I picked up today.
I hope I did this right...
But enough about me…how about you guys?
Bill
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