Let's Talk BBQ
FORUM SPONSORS => MAK Grills => Topic started by: smokeasaurus on February 13, 2018, 09:03:16 PM
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After our pellet grill "blew up" last month, Wendy and I have been deciding what to do pellet grill wise. Pellet grilling has become our main way to cook outdoors. Of course I am using it for smoking but Wendy has been doing side dishes and desserts with great success.
So after much deliberation, we decided to get the best and be done with it.
We ordered a 2 Star with pretty much all the available accessories.
I did reach out to MAK to see if it was OK to do a full review on the 2 star and they are on board.
So keep your eves open for my last review. It will be a long ongoing review showcasing that a MAK can "do it all"
This review will be from delivery to breakfast, lunch, supper, dessert....heck you name it, we are going to toss it on the 2 Star and see what happens.
Grilling,Searing,Roasting,Baking,Smoking, griddle cooking.......hang on Lets Talk BBQ you are all in for one heck of a review.
I just hope when Smoochy sees the 2 Star he doesn't have a "Mak-attack" :) I am sure he will recover quickly and be there for the review............
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I was going to ask if you cleared it with Smoochy before you bought it ;)
Congrats!!! Wish I had the cash flow to buy one but not right now thats for sure :(
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CONGRATULATIONS!
So glad you now have your dream machine
I'll be following your complete review.
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Congrats Smoke! It is on my "next pellet grill" list.. and the time is getting closer! ;)
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Way to go, Smoke!! You'll love it!!
Art
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Wise choice. Pretty sure you're going to love it!
Jeff
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Atta boy. Cry once
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Congrats!
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From one 2 Star owner to another...welcome to the MAK family :)
Look forward to seeing your ongoing review!!!!
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Congrats Smoke!
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Atta boy. Cry once
Smoke, I am very happy for you guys, and trust me when I tell you, you won't be cryin' for long! :D
P.S. What happened with your other pellet cooker?
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Congratulations ;D
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Atta boy. Cry once
Smoke, I am very happy for you guys, and trust me when I tell you, you won't be cryin' for long! :D
P.S. What happened with your other pellet cooker?
We were doing a long cook at 225 on some beef ribs and we ran to the store. Gone maybe half an hour. We pulled up and I saw clouds of white smoke bellowing up from the back of the house.
I ran out back and was able to find the cord and unplug it.
I went around to the front of the grill (luckily I was smart enough to hang over the lid)
and then it happened: BOOM
I actually watched the lid go up about three inches and then slam back down.
I put on gloves and removed everything from inside the grill.
The bottom of the barrel was full of pellets.
I put sheets upon sheets of foil over everything to stop the smoldering but it would not stop........got the garden hose out and flooded the barrel of the Trae....ooops, I mean the pellet grill ;)
So after all the conversations with customer service we came to the conclusion that it was a controller error. The auger kept feeding and then for some reason the hot rod came back on and then the gasses built up and BAM.
So they will send me a new controller and a new thermostat probe.
Really?? The BOOM actually lifted the heat deflector up into the grease tray and dented it, the explosion was so forceful.
Another problem was I was cooking at 225. "Our units run better at 250 and above"
Really??
I took the POS apart and set it out for scrap.
That did it for us. Wendy said to "Get the Best"
I always listen to Wendy :)
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I was going to ask if you cleared it with Smoochy before you bought it ;)
Congrats!!! Wish I had the cash flow to buy one but not right now thats for sure :(
My credit card is still red hot Tommy, it hurt a bit but I will get over it :0
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Will this be your primary grill as well as smoker? Or do you have something else that you prefer grilling on? As much as I love my Weber kettle setup w/ a Slow n Sear and GrillGrates, I think I love grilling on my MAK even more. The only thing the MAK cannot do is the screaming hot sears, which for me is a rare need... but as a ‘grill’ it is fantastic!
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Congrats on the addition. Looking forward to the review and cooks.
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Congratulations. You will not be disappointed. I've used my 2 Star for ribs, steaks, pulled pork, mac and cheese, baked beans, chicken wings, pulled beef, turkey, bacon, bread, pizza, cheese cake...the list goes on and on. It does it all.
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Congratulations. You will not be disappointed. I've used my 2 Star for ribs, steaks, pulled pork, mac and cheese, baked beans, chicken wings, pulled beef, turkey, bacon, bread, pizza, cheese cake...the list goes on and on. It does it all.
You wouldn’t happen to have the MAK sear grate, would you? I’ve been toying with the idea of replacing both standard grates with the sear grates... and using them for all of my grilling.
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Very happy for you and Wendy on your new purchase, and I am looking forward to your many good cooks on his new cooker :thumbup:
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Congrats on the new Mak! your gonna love it, can't wait for your review.
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Congratulations. You will not be disappointed. I've used my 2 Star for ribs, steaks, pulled pork, mac and cheese, baked beans, chicken wings, pulled beef, turkey, bacon, bread, pizza, cheese cake...the list goes on and on. It does it all.
You wouldn’t happen to have the MAK sear grate, would you? I’ve been toying with the idea of replacing both standard grates with the sear grates... and using them for all of my grilling.
I do have the sear grate but I just use my gas grill with Grill Grates when I want to sear. I reverse seared ribeyes on the MAK and used the sear grate but it took too long for it to get to temp. Next time I reverse seared steaks, I had the gas grill on so I seared immediately when they came up to temp. I've only used the sear grate once...it sits in the box in my garage.
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Welcome to the MAK Grills family Smokeasaurus!! As a fellow former Traeger owner, I can with 100% confidence confer that the UPGRADE to a MAK is money well spent. The variety of cooking styles you can accomplish on a 2 Star is amazing. Once you start using the Cold Smoke/Warmer Box, you'll find all kinds of new items from the kitchen to cold smoke and enjoy.
Try cold smoking salt, sugar, black pepper for rubs. And doing cold smoked cheese and nuts is a breeze.
Looking forward to your reviews!
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Congratulations. You will not be disappointed. I've used my 2 Star for ribs, steaks, pulled pork, mac and cheese, baked beans, chicken wings, pulled beef, turkey, bacon, bread, pizza, cheese cake...the list goes on and on. It does it all.
You wouldn’t happen to have the MAK sear grate, would you? I’ve been toying with the idea of replacing both standard grates with the sear grates... and using them for all of my grilling.
I do have the sear grate but I just use my gas grill with Grill Grates when I want to sear. I reverse seared ribeyes on the MAK and used the sear grate but it took too long for it to get to temp. Next time I reverse seared steaks, I had the gas grill on so I seared immediately when they came up to temp. I've only used the sear grate once...it sits in the box in my garage.
Yeah, I probably wouldn’t be using the sear grates for reverse searing to often, if ever... I am more interested in what they bring to simple everyday grilling (steak, burgers, chicken, sausage, etc).
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Congratulations. You will not be disappointed. I've used my 2 Star for ribs, steaks, pulled pork, mac and cheese, baked beans, chicken wings, pulled beef, turkey, bacon, bread, pizza, cheese cake...the list goes on and on. It does it all.
You wouldn’t happen to have the MAK sear grate, would you? I’ve been toying with the idea of replacing both standard grates with the sear grates... and using them for all of my grilling.
Rob, the MAK searing grates are pretty awesome for grilling. I did a review using the MAK searing grates here: 2017 MAK FlameZone, Searing Grate & Griddle - Detailed Review! (http://www.letstalkbbq.com/index.php?topic=20313.0)
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Congrats! You beat me to it.
I have been doing research for some time and convinced the CFO this would be the last grill we would need to buy.
Plan on heading to the factory on March 23rd to meet Bruce, see the shop and purchase our MADE IN AMERICA grill.
I look forward to following your journey and review!
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Congratulations. You will not be disappointed. I've used my 2 Star for ribs, steaks, pulled pork, mac and cheese, baked beans, chicken wings, pulled beef, turkey, bacon, bread, pizza, cheese cake...the list goes on and on. It does it all.
You wouldn’t happen to have the MAK sear grate, would you? I’ve been toying with the idea of replacing both standard grates with the sear grates... and using them for all of my grilling.
Rob, the MAK searing grates are pretty awesome for grilling. I did a review using the MAK searing grates here: 2017 MAK FlameZone, Searing Grate & Griddle - Detailed Review! (http://www.letstalkbbq.com/index.php?topic=20313.0)
Thanks, Cliff! :)
Man, now to decide if I want to swallow the $300 pill and replace the entire cooking surface. I am not interested in only doing half (way to big a family).
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Congratulations. You will not be disappointed. I've used my 2 Star for ribs, steaks, pulled pork, mac and cheese, baked beans, chicken wings, pulled beef, turkey, bacon, bread, pizza, cheese cake...the list goes on and on. It does it all.
You wouldn’t happen to have the MAK sear grate, would you? I’ve been toying with the idea of replacing both standard grates with the sear grates... and using them for all of my grilling.
Rob, the MAK searing grates are pretty awesome for grilling. I did a review using the MAK searing grates here: 2017 MAK FlameZone, Searing Grate & Griddle - Detailed Review! (http://www.letstalkbbq.com/index.php?topic=20313.0)
Thanks, Cliff! :)
Man, now to decide if I want to swallow the $300 pill and replace the entire cooking surface. I am not interested in only doing half (way to big a family).
Spend the money....I tried to "cheap the deal" and used GrillGrates to cover the entire surface of the grilling area....BIG MISTAKE....
They held too much heat in the belly of the pit and I have permanently warped the font of a MAK 2 star. Thank goodness I figured out what was going on, and changed that real quick! I actually destroyed a Weber gas grill by turning on Hi - and getting it too hot - causing the front of the grill to bow out such that the lid would not close on it. SCARY......
The MAK Searing Grates are designed for the MAK and proper airflow, so - they are far cheaper than what little I saved trying the GrillGrates. Nothing wrong with GrillGrates - as long as you understand the impact of limiting that heat that normally escapes thru the grate design .
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Congratulations. You will not be disappointed. I've used my 2 Star for ribs, steaks, pulled pork, mac and cheese, baked beans, chicken wings, pulled beef, turkey, bacon, bread, pizza, cheese cake...the list goes on and on. It does it all.
You wouldn’t happen to have the MAK sear grate, would you? I’ve been toying with the idea of replacing both standard grates with the sear grates... and using them for all of my grilling.
Rob, the MAK searing grates are pretty awesome for grilling. I did a review using the MAK searing grates here: 2017 MAK FlameZone, Searing Grate & Griddle - Detailed Review! (http://www.letstalkbbq.com/index.php?topic=20313.0)
Thanks, Cliff! :)
Man, now to decide if I want to swallow the $300 pill and replace the entire cooking surface. I am not interested in only doing half (way to big a family).
Spend the money....I tried to "cheap the deal" and used GrillGrates to cover the entire surface of the grilling area....BIG MISTAKE....
They held too much heat in the belly of the pit and I have permanently warped the font of a MAK 2 star. Thank goodness I figured out what was going on, and changed that real quick! I actually destroyed a Weber gas grill by turning on Hi - and getting it too hot - causing the front of the grill to bow out such that the lid would not close on it. SCARY......
The MAK Searing Grates are designed for the MAK and proper airflow, so - they are far cheaper than what little I saved trying the GrillGrates. Nothing wrong with GrillGrates - as long as you understand the impact of limiting that heat that normally escapes thru the grate design .
Yes, you and I had a dialogue some time ago re: GrillGrates. I have a set that’ll fit 98% of my MAK’s cooking surface. Just not willing to take the gamble. I’ve seen a few pics of food that have been cooked on MAK’s searing grate(s), and it definitely ups the wow factor. I am a strong believer that we eat first with our eyes.
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Congrats! You beat me to it.
I have been doing research for some time and convinced the CFO this would be the last grill we would need to buy.
Plan on heading to the factory on March 23rd to meet Bruce, see the shop and purchase our MADE IN AMERICA grill.
I look forward to following your journey and review!
I did this. Just tremendous people
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Will this be your primary grill as well as smoker? Or do you have something else that you prefer grilling on? As much as I love my Weber kettle setup w/ a Slow n Sear and GrillGrates, I think I love grilling on my MAK even more. The only thing the MAK cannot do is the screaming hot sears, which for me is a rare need... but as a ‘grill’ it is fantastic!
This will be our primary cooking option from here on out. Frankly, I have burned so much charcoal for the last 30 years, I am just tired of the flavor profile.
I do have a large charcoal grill for when the bubbas come over and I still have my offset for when I am in the mood and have the time to feed sticks.
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Congratulations. You will not be disappointed. I've used my 2 Star for ribs, steaks, pulled pork, mac and cheese, baked beans, chicken wings, pulled beef, turkey, bacon, bread, pizza, cheese cake...the list goes on and on. It does it all.
You wouldn’t happen to have the MAK sear grate, would you? I’ve been toying with the idea of replacing both standard grates with the sear grates... and using them for all of my grilling.
we ordered double searing grates and griddle for full combinations of each when needed. This will sure be shown in the review.
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Congratulations. You will not be disappointed. I've used my 2 Star for ribs, steaks, pulled pork, mac and cheese, baked beans, chicken wings, pulled beef, turkey, bacon, bread, pizza, cheese cake...the list goes on and on. It does it all.
You wouldn’t happen to have the MAK sear grate, would you? I’ve been toying with the idea of replacing both standard grates with the sear grates... and using them for all of my grilling.
we ordered double searing grates and griddle for full combinations of each when needed. This will sure be shown in the review.
AWESOME!!!
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Curious, was a Memphis ever in the running as your “cry once” pellet grill? If yes, why did you decide against it? If not a consideration, why? MAK and Memphis, IMO are the 2 finest pellet grills on the market. Always interesting to me to hear why buyers choose one over the other.
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The MAK was the one. When our previous one "Exploded" on us we just went straight to the top.
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I’ve found that cooking our cauliflower and broccoli in the microwave then crisping them in the MAK really enhances the flavor and texture. I also find myself using the griddle to make fried bread, fajitas, and other quickies. It is easy to clean and keeps the grease and smells out of the house.
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Do we have an arrival date yet?
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Bad Weather delays. Robinson Texas Fed Ex hub does not know when it will arrive. Should have been delivered to the hub today.............
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I’ve found that cooking our cauliflower and broccoli in the microwave then crisping them in the MAK really enhances the flavor and texture. I also find myself using the griddle to make fried bread, fajitas, and other quickies. It is easy to clean and keeps the grease and smells out of the house.
GOOD POINTS!!!
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Bad Weather delays. Robinson Texas Fed Ex hub does not know when it will arrive. Should have been delivered to the hub today.............
What a bummer!!
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Oh, it gets worse, Fed EX shows my MAK in Denver Colorado this morning.
Probably will not get delivered until early next week.
Which aint a bad thing. I gotta work the next 4 days with the crud and a sinus infection so I probably wouldn't start the review until I have the time and feeling better.
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Oh, it gets worse, Fed EX shows my MAK in Denver Colorado this morning.
Probably will not get delivered until early next week.
Which aint a bad thing. I gotta work the next 4 days with the crud and a sinus infection so I probably wouldn't start the review until I have the time and feeling better.
Good attitude! There’s something to be said for delayed gratification :)
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Oh, it gets worse, Fed EX shows my MAK in Denver Colorado this morning.
Probably will not get delivered until early next week.
Which aint a bad thing. I gotta work the next 4 days with the crud and a sinus infection so I probably wouldn't start the review until I have the time and feeling better.
Good attitude! There’s something to be said for delayed gratification :)
Yup, getting all bent out of shape aint going to get it here any faster.................
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Wow Smoke I just looked at the prices for the first time......I am sure you will enjoy it. Can't wait for the reviews
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Wow Smoke I just looked at the prices for the first time......I am sure you will enjoy it. Can't wait for the reviews
Yeah, the total was scary but Wendy and I figured this will be our last major grill purchase. The lazy days of retirement will be upon us sooner and later and we better get ready for it. Wendy really enjoys all the food off of pellet grills. She also likes to cook many of her side dishes in the pellet grills so this should be a pretty cool review. It is really going to show the versatility of a MAK Grill.
This will be my last review and I am going to try to go out on top.
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Wow Smoke I just looked at the prices for the first time......I am sure you will enjoy it. Can't wait for the reviews
Yeah, the total was scary but Wendy and I figured this will be our last major grill purchase. The lazy days of retirement will be upon us sooner and later and we better get ready for it. Wendy really enjoys all the food off of pellet grills. She also likes to cook many of her side dishes in the pellet grills so this should be a pretty cool review. It is really going to show the versatility of a MAK Grill.
This will be my last review and I am going to try to go out on top.
Sure tell Kimmie that and see what I get as far as a grill ;)
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Wow Smoke I just looked at the prices for the first time......I am sure you will enjoy it. Can't wait for the reviews
This will be my last review and I am going to try to go out on top.
If I bought that grill it would be my last review too ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D You will have many great meal with this machine
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Wow Smoke I just looked at the prices for the first time......I am sure you will enjoy it. Can't wait for the reviews
This will be my last review and I am going to try to go out on top.
If I bought that grill it would be my last review too ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Yep, but it would be a good one !!! :D :D :D :D ??? ???
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Once one has climbed the highest mountain - their is no higher place to go on this earth. The view - however breathtaking is still looking down from the pinnacle. ;)
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their is no higher place to go on this earth.
Tee that is not what the hippies said. :D :D :D :D
Plus with cooking there is always a better (higher) new one next month ;) ;) ;) ;) ;)
All kidding aside Smoke has one hell of a great cooker. I can't wait for my invite
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I caved today and ordered 2 searing grates from MAK. Have been wanting to do this for a while now as a full grate replacement when grilling. Couldn’t wait for your review… lol!!
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I caved today and ordered 2 searing grates from MAK. Have been wanting to do this for a while now as a full grate replacement when grilling. Couldn’t wait for your review… lol!!
Cool!!!!
I did get the front shelf delivered yesterday for the 2 Star. I think the darn thing weighs about 1/2 of what our entire last pellet cooker weighed :)
The 2 Star is now in Childress Texas with another weather delay.
You cant fight Mother Nature and at least it is in the Lone Star State!! :)
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I caved today and ordered 2 searing grates from MAK. Have been wanting to do this for a while now as a full grate replacement when grilling. Couldn’t wait for your review… lol!!
Cool!!!!
I did get the front shelf delivered yesterday for the 2 Star. I think the darn thing weighs about 1/2 of what our entire last pellet cooker weighed :)
The 2 Star is now in Childress Texas with another weather delay.
You cant fight Mother Nature and at least it is in the Lone Star State!! :)
In your home state... nice to have light at the end of the tunnel... :)
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I caved today and ordered 2 searing grates from MAK. Have been wanting to do this for a while now as a full grate replacement when grilling. Couldn’t wait for your review… lol!!
Cool!!!!
I did get the front shelf delivered yesterday for the 2 Star. I think the darn thing weighs about 1/2 of what our entire last pellet cooker weighed :)
The 2 Star is now in Childress Texas with another weather delay.
You cant fight Mother Nature and at least it is in the Lone Star State!! :)
In your home state... nice to have light at the end of the tunnel... :)
Yep, but in Texas that's still a long way to go
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I caved today and ordered 2 searing grates from MAK. Have been wanting to do this for a while now as a full grate replacement when grilling. Couldn’t wait for your review… lol!!
Cool!!!!
I did get the front shelf delivered yesterday for the 2 Star. I think the darn thing weighs about 1/2 of what our entire last pellet cooker weighed :)
The 2 Star is now in Childress Texas with another weather delay.
You cant fight Mother Nature and at least it is in the Lone Star State!! :)
In your home state... nice to have light at the end of the tunnel... :)
Yep, but in Texas that's still a long way to go
In my experience ...the "light at the end of the tunnel" is usually an on-coming train..... :D :D :D
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I caved today and ordered 2 searing grates from MAK. Have been wanting to do this for a while now as a full grate replacement when grilling. Couldn’t wait for your review… lol!!
Cool!!!!
I did get the front shelf delivered yesterday for the 2 Star. I think the darn thing weighs about 1/2 of what our entire last pellet cooker weighed :)
The 2 Star is now in Childress Texas with another weather delay.
You cant fight Mother Nature and at least it is in the Lone Star State!! :)
In your home state... nice to have light at the end of the tunnel... :)
Yep, but in Texas that's still a long way to go
In my experience ...the "light at the end of the tunnel" is usually an on-coming train..... :D :D :D
LOL! In this case...a shiny new MAK :)
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Talked to the friendly folks at Fed-ex Freight and they will be delivering the MAK on Monday.
My day off, perfect.
Well, couple of our dogs need to go to the vet for some shots that are due. So there goes the morning.
I am still fighting a sinus infection and I have been having awful leg cramps. Getting them all the way in my ham strings and fronts of my thighs.
These are the kind of cramps that make you ask the Good Lord to take you. About 5 minutes of absolute torture. I am left black and blue the next day with terrible soreness.
Been having tons of tests and everything is coming out perfect. I am going on 58, I eat like an idiot and my blood work is coming back as if I was a healthy and fit teenager.
So good news on that but no answer on the leg cramps......so I am now on muscle relaxers I have to take when I get in bed..........every night.......forever...
The Smoke sleeps good!!!!!
So back to the MAK.
I will not be able to break open the carton because since this is a review, I really want to show the attention to the packaging and the assembly. I feel it could help out potential new owners. Also, my legs are two sore still from last weeks cramps and my sinus infection has pitched a tent and it aint going anywhere.
Also for the review, I am getting a little green guy (y'all know who it is) ready to help with the review.
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Dang. That sounds painful. Sorry buddy
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
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Ouch.....Try potassium rich for when the cramping begins. a potato or a banana.....
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Get well Smoke! :)
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Ouch! Hope you get the cramps figured out.
Really looking forward to your review.