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17 replies

let's say my wife is letting me spend the money...

FM Former Member
And I say that hypothetically because if I don't act quickly she could change her mind.

I am interested in the Amerique because it seems the perfect unit for me. I love grilling and bbq'n but have been limited for so long. Once a year I make some 'que and all the fixins for the folks at the office...about 15 people. Always ribs, and usually another meat like brisket or pulled pork. For years I have been doing all the cooking on my Weber Genesis gas grill, and gotten good at it, but it still is an overwhelming task! Next year I wanna be ready. Is the Amerique my best bet? And also, I am concerned about safety. Is it okay to use this unit with a short extension cord plugged into my outdoor outlets on my house? I am worried about leaving something like this overnite or while am at work.

Thanks.
Rez
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P pagsMember
You'll be fine with a short extension cord if it's a good quality. Use a 12 gauge (UL approved), and you'll have no problems. One of our electrical professionals may want to confirm this.

As for the Amerique being your best bet, depends. Size? Your call. Compared to pellet burners? The experienced folks will need more info. Quality and ease of use? You can't do better.
FM Former Member
Just read the manual for the Amerique. Wasn't aware it was available online. Says I should be fine with a correctly rated, heavy duty cord.

As for size...I have a family of 4 that I cook for on a regular basis. But 2 or 3 times a summer I will need something that will handle 12-15 people. Usually I do about 6 racks of ribs then a 12-ish lb brisket for something like this. I have varied this formula...sometimes I do a bunch of chicken legs or pulled pork in place of the brisket. I think the Fast Eddy will be out of my price range, so the Amerique looks to be the next best thing?
FM Former Member
quote:
Originally posted by reznor99:
...And also, I am concerned about safety. Is it okay to use this unit with a short extension cord plugged into my outdoor outlets on my house? I am worried about leaving something like this overnite or while am at work.

Thanks.
Rez


I think you'll be just fine, thats' exactly what they're made outside and unattended.

What's your concern, leaving it on, unattended? All outside circuits should be GFCI, and it's not like the unit has enough fire to burn anything down, in 10 years of the forum, never heard that happening.

Any other concerns, just ask, we'll answer what we can.
FM Former Member
Good to know on the safety. Yeah, I am freak about fire. Single mom's house burned down a block away last summer. Couldn't find the cause (probably faulty wiring or something). But since then I have been extra careful around my house. I haven't used my outlets on that side of my house where I will have the unit, but I will check them out before I plug in. Should be okay.
I will probably pull the trigger and buy one this week, and try to get it ready for a Thanksgiving event.
There is no way my wife (or even me) will allow the $4000 for an FEC 100, RibDog. If people want me to cook for them, I will politely tell them to wait in line with all the rest!

Rez
FM Former Member
My Amerique is sitting on my covered porch just outside my kitchen. I usually load it up about 11:00pm on a Saturday night, just before I go to bed. The first time I did that, I was up and checking it every hour or so. Since then, I usually check it about 7:00am (or 8:00 or 9:00...) when I get up. I have never had the slightest problem and, as long as you abide by the cardinal rule that it's done when it's done, everything turns out perfectly. As far as capacity, I have easily cooked enough pork butt in one load to feed 50 people. I'm sure I could do more if I had to since I have never really loaded it totally full.

Buy it quick - you'll never regret it!
FM Former Member
Oh by the way, if you are thinking about Thanksgiving - it makes AWESOME smoked turkeys! I usually do "beer can" turkeys after injecting them. My son is a professional chef and he always tells me to never change a thing. He is convinced that there is no better way to make a smoked turkey.
FM Former Member
quote:
Originally posted by BBQTom:
Oh by the way, if you are thinking about Thanksgiving - it makes AWESOME smoked turkeys! I usually do "beer can" turkeys after injecting them. My son is a professional chef and he always tells me to never change a thing. He is convinced that there is no better way to make a smoked turkey.


Not to disagree with a chef, but once you use a brined turkey from my turkey 101, even your chef son would be convinced.

I have a theory on Beer can method, but that's just me.

check out the turkey 101, in the turkey forum
T tomMember
To tag onto the conversation,there are several reasons to brine.

Yes,it gives a moist bird.

It allows us a cushion, in how high we can cook white meat,before it becomes dry.

Turkeys can be sorta tasteless without dumping gravy on them,and hiding them with 5-6 sides.

There can certainly be more than just piling smoke on,to get the complete package.

The flavor in brining, allows us to create our own flavor profile.

Some folks ,also,inject brines.

They still may need to be in the bird,as long as traditional brining.

Smokin's Brining 101 is considered the ultimate resource for many in the bbq field.
FM Former Member
All good advice. Thanks for chiming in! I am gonna order tomorrow. I will try it out as soon as I get it, and let you know how I do. One more thing. I am gonna get a cover for this thing. How does it hold up outside? I would like to keep it out on my patio next to my grill in an exposed area (to rain, etc.). Do you guys leave yours out like this? I leave my grill out all summer and then move it in the garage through winter, which is what I'd like to do with the CS.

Thanks.
D dlsMember
Definitely get the cover. It's a must have accessory.

As far as holding up outside, they're great. My unit sits on a deck just off of my kitchen 12 months a year. I'm in the Chicago area with temperature extremes ranging from 100F+ to sub zero with high winds and heavy snow. On more than one occasion, I've had to dig a path through 4+ feet of snow to get to it. It has never missed a beat.

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