Good day, ( or night), from the middle of the Ozarks in Arkansas, (Mountain Home).
A small introduction:
I stumbled upon this site, enjoyed reading many of the posts,
(no one sounded like a "know-it-all", as on so many, many, many, other sites).
That was what impressed me enough to decide to sign up.
I've been BBQing/smoking meats/fish/vegetables starting from the eighth grade.
No, I'm not somebody you think you know from other BBQ sites.
Just an old guy who's been around enough, who doesn't mind sharing tips (secrets?),
and knows you are never to old to learn something new.
I've used many different types of grills/BBQs/smokers/hibachis over five decades.
Lump charcoal is my fuel of choice. A chimney starter and newspaper are my tools for ignition.
For sessions wanting more smoke flavour, apple-wood and sugar maple are at the top of my list.
Pecan, cherry, are also good, as is alder-wood for salmon, and pimento-wood for the jerk chicken.
I "burned myself out" using mesquite wood somewhere in the 1990's, as it was so popular then.
Since oak lump charcoals impair such a good smoke flavour on their own, I seldom use hickory any more.
I think I could use apple-wood on everything though, and be happy.
In most parts of the USA, to see how well one is doing with "keeping up with the Jones",
one might count how many cars are in the neighbours driveway.
Here we count BBQ's and smokers, instead. Ha!
I currently use the PBC, (always with lump charcoal), for most cooks.
For some delicate and/or long slow cooks though, they go on the WSM.
Since I like high heat when cooking steaks/burgers, or charring vegetables
in the Weber 6434 vegetable basket, the Char-Griller 2-2424 with it's
cast iron grates and hinged cover, does those items to absolute perfection.
It's also a fantastic portable grill for tailgate parties, etc.
Some favourites here are BBQ and jerk chicken, bacon wrapped chicken, beef roasts, brisket, baby back ribs, smoked trout,
bacon, brined and candied and smoked salmon, brined and smoked pork loin Canadian bacon (American style).
