Forum

In my first post, I would like to echo ezgoin's comment. Barbequeing is a hobby for me (or obsession if you ask the Mrs) along with roasting coffee for family and friends.

As with many, I have run the route of gas grills and charcoal grils, I moved to a Brinkmann Pitmaster offset a few years ago, and am now the proud owner of a new CS 009.

I spent a long time researching (another obsession) and came down to a few choices for the new smoker: Backwoods Patio, Smokin Tex, briefly looked at Bradley, and of course Cookshack. I guess the final two were ST and CS.

My final decision was to go with the Cookshack. Two reasons -- one was the US versus China manufacturing, but a very important second factor was this forum. The amount of truly useful information (especially for us newbies) is staggering. The honest feedback, pro and con, the advice from the seasoned veterans (pardon the pun)is unmatched. Keep those resipes coming too, they help tremendously in learning the ropes.

Thanks to Cookshack, this forum and all its contributors.

Guys,

Comments like those are why I, Tom and many others continue to hang in this forum for years.

Thanks,

I'm still doing this moderating gig for free, just because it's fun to help.

Helping others with Q.

We may not always solve a problem first try, but we won't give up until we do.

Heck I don't have TOO many secrets and I'll tell you most of them, I just won't post them for all to see and others that don't own FE's also get the info. Heck, post stuff here and it shows up in lots of other forums. Hmmm, think we have a lot of lurkers

Email me direct, ask anything and I'll help.

Hey ez, come down to the Ponca City comp in a couple of weeks and meet everyone.

Russ

Shucks,Smokin'.

I always figured you made twice what I did for hangin' 'round here and tryin' to point folks in the direction for help.

Hello, Dave where are you located in Fla. Our team's located all over FL. I am located just outside Orlando. You should come by a contest and check that out. You might get hooked on that also. Our next one close will be in Grant. There are also some on the FBA website.

Craig
www.FireHouse-bbq.com

Hi Craig
Looks like we're on opposite sides of O-town. I'm in the Kissimmee area, near the Mouse.

I'd like to attend a competition, that sounds great. I'll check out the FBA website, and the Grant contest. Thanks!

Smokin,

I'd like to come up to Ponca City, but we're preparing for an Operational Readiness Inspection the first week in October, and all the brass are going ape. Each of my three sections that I supervise are at 50% manning so I'm as busy as a one legged man in a butt kicking contest. The operational side of the military gets what they need; the support side has to make do.

Hopefully it'll get better.

ORI, enough said...

1st off Ezgoin, thank you for your service.
This forum is a great place for ANY bbq'r regardless of what type of smoker they have.
Cookshack, Smokin', FE and everyone else here are about the best support network around for ideas and help.
Joe
Slow Joe's Smokehouse

Florida Dave,

The FBA made the decision to not allow anything other than FBA news on their website.

Grant,Fl KCBS State Championship

Hi Tom
Thanks for the link for the Grant event, good information. Directions also, that's good too.

Question for the comp cooks -- I see on the event web page that turn-ins are noon through 1:30 on Saturday. I would like to attend the event on Saturday, probably for the full day. Being new to all this, is there a "best" time for stopping by and visit (and learn)?

Thanks again for the info.

We usually suggest folks come out on Friday afternoon and evening.

The teams are setting up,and later socializing.

Since that is sort of our "home" contest,we'll be feeding cajun red beans,ham,sausage,and rice with bread and dessert for folks at the cookoff.

There is usually a cold beverage to be had.

That is a good time to talk about and look at their equipment.

Sat morning,the teams are in full prep mode and don't have time to do much more than say hello.

Earlier in the morning,some have a little waiting time when they can visit.

After about 2 P.M.,folks are done until awards,around 5:30.

Many are tearing down the cooksite in preparation to leave,but others may spend the night and have more free team.

Tom
Thanks for the info, sounds like Friday evening is the way to go. WIll try for Friday and Saturday, I'd like to see the prep, awards as well.

Hope to be able to meet you while there.