'''''What is the consensus'''''

Continuing the off - topic .... I am a huge forum user.   For things I am interested in - I will find a forum or two and use them ( heavily).

Wow - the educational knowledge I have gained.    There are many on here that are cooking at a level that I will never reach - still great to read about what Gary, Griffin, Stike, NecessaryIndulg, Travis, Mickey, Austin, Cen-tex smoker, ...  ( started listing,  realizing that I would not remember several people who should be on the list, my apologies )  are doing with an Egg.  

I bought the Egg to slow cook, smoke bbq.   Found I love chicken and seafood on it in addition to Ribs, Brisket, and Pork. 

Back to Mickey's original question, sometimes the overwhelming consensus thing is not all that bad.   I started on the forum ( reading only) a month or so before I got the egg.   Forum confirmed thats what I wanted.

First time someone said not to soak wood chunks/chips - I kinda wondered about it.   After I saw several people chiming in with the same advice - prompted me to try it - discovered all those people were dead on.

Consensus can be a very powerful, good thing --- as long as the reader understands that consensus is like minded opinion with multiple points of confirmation - not a RULE that has to be followed.

As a newbie who reads often, but will still perform a search. I can find what I'm looking for (on this forum) faster with Google than with the forum search..........it's crazy that I find it easier to use an outside source for this specific site. I've started book marking many threads on what I might want to try in the future. This site not only gave me great insight on what to try (or not try) but also gives me motivation to try new things. (and makes me laugh) There are some really great people here.

I would definitely agree that many don't search (or even just read what is a few posts down) before asking the same questions.....but if everyone researched and tried the same old method, what would we learn?

I'm not disagreeing, I'm trying to be open minded.