Food Smokers and Smoking Tips/Tricks/Techniques

Thanks! I don't have a vortex either... yet. I have these:

$26 Weber Char-Basket Charcoal Holders

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000WEMGM4/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Do you think I should use 1 or both or??

 

If it was me I'd use one since I always think my unit runs too hot for wings.

 

The only time it's an issue is during the initial lighting and then it's like a campfire; sparks flying up and out. I don't think it would cover enough area.

 

Stocking up


so far i like the lump, burns long and less ash.

 

Gotta love the Royal Oak BIG BLUE BAG

I'm planning a Butt for Memorial day

 

Sparks from the lump are no joke
Wish i could use it but too much of a gamble on my wood deck

 

I have a piece of hardibacker under my grill and I still use briquettes lol

 

Needed a good slicer, but don’t need to break the bank.
$20 at a restrurant supply store.
We will see how she chooches

 

I won't even use mine on my deck. Strictly grass. I'm paranoid.

 

6ft away from the grill

Been here 18years..... only took one time

That’s about 8” long 2.5” wide on top of a joist

 

Minion method with lump in the smoker, and use Kbb for the initial start up? That should keep the sparks at a minimum outside of the smoker from the chimney, and when dumping the chimney in.

 

Literally how the people I bought my house from burned their previous house down.

I’ve been grilling off to the side of my deck until I can get one of those fireproof grill mats.

 

Fire resistant, not fire proof. Ask me how I know.

Stupidly put the hot chimney on a ceramic dish, melted right through to wood. Not proud of it. Consider this a shameful PSA.

Edit: it would do fine with the errant spark or even a coal for a few seconds, but definitely not a definitive solution to wood deck Q’ing.

 

What is this mysterious blue bag?!?!

 

Here in Chicago the Big Bags of Royal Oak are Blue not Red

 

Well... my GF said normally there is about a 30% can't-come rate to party invitations, so we were kinda banking on that. It's not turning out that way! We were thinking about 15 people, but as of today it's up to 25 (3 are kids).

I'm a little worried about feeding so many. The plan was 5 racks of ribs, 2 tri-tips and a bucket of KFC. Assorted sides. Good for 15, but I don't think that's enough for 25. I'm thinking of increasing to 7 or 8 racks and 3 tri-tips. What say you?

 

Dexter Russell knives are awesome knives that happen to be cheap
We get their paring knives
Plus they produce the “Green River” carbon steel hunting knives

 

Excellent, thank you for that. May be giving wings a shot this weekend!

 

You've got GrillGrates don't you?



Not going to replace my Vortex by any stretch of the imagination. But still turn out pretty darn good.

 

This is what I was thinking about doing also, putting the lump in the side box and then starting the chimney with KBB. Maybe it would spark out too bad from the intake vent.