I've been lurking here for a short time and seen some really neat stuff. Seems there is an interesting group of meat-heads here. I am nearly Fifty now and for the most part just been cooking on gas. I've done some smoking but not what I would consider experienced. I had a Masterbuilt electric smoker for a few years and it was enough to catch the bug. I really didn't like having to plug in to cook so I upgraded to a Camp Chef propane upright smoker for several years. Better results, but it is still a cheap entry level cooker with very amateur results. I mostly just smoke ribs, wings, ABT's and and occasional pork butt. I also grill on a Weber Spirit gas grill. It is just a 2 burner unit and does just fine for my small family. But I am ready to up my game and have wanted to switch to charcoal for some time now. We are in the process of re-doing our back patio and I figure this is the perfect time to make the switch.
We would really like to make some built-in cooking stations on the patio, so before I make a large investment I decided to pick up a Weber 22 kettle to be sure that is what I want. I really like the Weber Summit Kamado, but that's a pretty big price tag, so for now we will start with the 22 kettle. I've been watching MarketPlace for a few weeks now and finally scored a Gen2 Performer Deluxe that needed some love. I bought it from a young Amish man who had the unit left at one of his rental houses. He was asking $50 but I offered $40 and brought it home. It came with the coal baskets and a well used chimney starter too. The table top is broke, as I understand is pretty normal with these. The wheels are a little worn and the grates were shot. After a heavy de-greasing and scraping the bowl came pretty clean. I've ordered a new aftermarket stainless grate built like the Gourmet setup Weber uses, along with a new igniter and flame tube. Plans are to swap out the wheels for the larger 10" pneumatic and also build a new tabletop to replace the broken one. I've seen a lot of cool mods here and am looking forward to getting this thing rolling. Oh yeah, am also hoping to get my 13yr old son involved in building this unit. Trying to get him off the video controller and learn some fun stuff in the process. No pictures yet, but I'll be sure to take some along the way.
We would really like to make some built-in cooking stations on the patio, so before I make a large investment I decided to pick up a Weber 22 kettle to be sure that is what I want. I really like the Weber Summit Kamado, but that's a pretty big price tag, so for now we will start with the 22 kettle. I've been watching MarketPlace for a few weeks now and finally scored a Gen2 Performer Deluxe that needed some love. I bought it from a young Amish man who had the unit left at one of his rental houses. He was asking $50 but I offered $40 and brought it home. It came with the coal baskets and a well used chimney starter too. The table top is broke, as I understand is pretty normal with these. The wheels are a little worn and the grates were shot. After a heavy de-greasing and scraping the bowl came pretty clean. I've ordered a new aftermarket stainless grate built like the Gourmet setup Weber uses, along with a new igniter and flame tube. Plans are to swap out the wheels for the larger 10" pneumatic and also build a new tabletop to replace the broken one. I've seen a lot of cool mods here and am looking forward to getting this thing rolling. Oh yeah, am also hoping to get my 13yr old son involved in building this unit. Trying to get him off the video controller and learn some fun stuff in the process. No pictures yet, but I'll be sure to take some along the way.
