The destruction of Cast Iron and all things Unholy - TOFTT

The Cen-Tex Smoker

20stone said:

The Cen-Tex Smoker said:

20stone said:

The Cen-Tex Smoker said:

Well- the deed is done. I am a proud new owner of a Karubecue. Should be here in 3-4 weeks. Can't wait to fire it up. I'll let you know how it works out.

I gotta guy that will cut custom size sticks for you.  I'll grab the contact info tonight

Thanks. Sounds expensive...like every other guy you have.

Not so bad.... and I know you are too damn lazy to split a bunch of wood to "bigger than a Red Bull, smaller than a brick"

blind99

blasting said:

The thread has fizzled, but I said I was doing a second test, so here are the results.  

fizzled? no way!  your test was cool, and cen-tex got a new smoker.  i'd say this was a very productive thread.

20stone

The Cen-Tex Smoker said:

That looks like it would be a better morning activity.

The Cen-Tex Smoker

blind99 said:

blasting said:

The thread has fizzled, but I said I was doing a second test, so here are the results.  

fizzled? no way!  your test was cool, and cen-tex got a new smoker.  i'd say this was a very productive thread.

Plus it cost me $1500 so you win. 

Focker

The Cen-Tex Smoker said:

dirty dozen???? Dang. I just have 2 eggs and a jumbo joe for camping. I'm well within the "normal" range

The portability is a huge plus.  And like you, great for special excursions with the camping crowd I run with.

Slowly, I'm talking myself back into one. Hahaha

As stated, I get the whole deal, pyrolysis, thermophoresis, burning bush, and all.  For me, it would be a day putz, adding logs....NO overnighters.  Good with some SV stuff too.

At 3 and counting, you're well on your way, not much we can do for you.  

blind99

The Cen-Tex Smoker said:

blind99 said:

blasting said:

The thread has fizzled, but I said I was doing a second test, so here are the results.  

fizzled? no way!  your test was cool, and cen-tex got a new smoker.  i'd say this was a very productive thread.

Plus it cost me $1500 so you win. 

@the cen-tex smoker sorry! you can tell your wife it's my fault, i'll drop by sometime to apologize to her, and we'll smoke some briskets and drink some beers. 

Jstroke

Blasting, points for going for the gold. Whether or not you need your head examined is another matter for debate.

NPHuskerFL

I'd throat punch a SOB if they did this to my CI. I'd sooner buy a cheap smoke box at Publix or make my own with SS or steel. Neat test though I spect. 

Focker

CT,
Was at HD, they have Kingsford Mini Logs for 25 bucks a bag, hickory and mesquite.  May be the ideal size to cut in half with a sawzall, or manual with a small hatchet or axe, or fancy lopper?
http://m.homedepot.com/p/Kingsford-25-lb-BBQ-Mesquite-Wood-Logs-100524119/206442493

Saw some hickory splits at Lowes when strolling through for my chop box project.  
Didn't get a price, they were stacked by the grills.

Mesquite has been no bueno for me up to this point, but clean mesquite off the KBQ would be fair game, and awesome on some chuck and beef ribs.  HD also had a big ass bag of Kingsford cherry chunks, large in size, for 20 bucks.  Might be worth a look.

YukonRon

The Cen-Tex Smoker said:

dirty dozen???? Dang. I just have 2 eggs and a jumbo joe for camping. I'm well within the "normal" range

Nobody on this forum fits in "the normal range". We all went over the wall years ago.
This post, and our continued interest and participation is all the proof one needs.

The Cen-Tex Smoker

Focker said:

CT,
Was at HD, they have Kingsford Mini Logs for 25 bucks a bag, hickory and mesquite.  May be the ideal size to cut in half with a sawzall, or manual with a small hatchet or axe, or fancy lopper?
http://m.homedepot.com/p/Kingsford-25-lb-BBQ-Mesquite-Wood-Logs-100524119/206442493

Saw some hickory splits at Lowes when strolling through for my chop box project.  
Didn't get a price, they were stacked by the grills.

Mesquite has been no bueno for me up to this point, but clean mesquite off the KBQ would be fair game, and awesome on some chuck and beef ribs.  HD also had a big ass bag of Kingsford cherry chunks, large in size, for 20 bucks.  Might be worth a look.

I think most of the store bought logs are kiln dried. I have a wood guy that will bring me post oak, pecan and mesquite. I may start there and look for some cherry and apple to supplement. I'm like 90% post oak anyway but I want to try a few others as well. Mesquite is plentiful here so that's definitely on the radar.

lousubcap

Better to be lucky than good any day.  @The_CenTex_Smoker - congrats on the new smoker.  Regardless of the reviews, your new task is to pay it forward and sell the next one to a forum member.  

lousubcap

@blasting -  thanks for the tests and the follow-up.  Great that you stayed the course.  Now I don't have to search for my old smoke box.  

Focker

The Cen-Tex Smoker said:

Focker said:

CT,
Was at HD, they have Kingsford Mini Logs for 25 bucks a bag, hickory and mesquite.  May be the ideal size to cut in half with a sawzall, or manual with a small hatchet or axe, or fancy lopper?
http://m.homedepot.com/p/Kingsford-25-lb-BBQ-Mesquite-Wood-Logs-100524119/206442493

Saw some hickory splits at Lowes when strolling through for my chop box project.  
Didn't get a price, they were stacked by the grills.

Mesquite has been no bueno for me up to this point, but clean mesquite off the KBQ would be fair game, and awesome on some chuck and beef ribs.  HD also had a big ass bag of Kingsford cherry chunks, large in size, for 20 bucks.  Might be worth a look.

I think most of the store bought logs are kiln dried. I have a wood guy that will bring me post oak, pecan and mesquite. I may start there and look for some cherry and apple to supplement. I'm like 90% post oak anyway but I want to try a few others as well. Mesquite is plentiful here so that's definitely on the radar.

Pardon my stupid question..

Kiln dried isn't ideal then for sticks?

Focker

lousubcap said:

Better to be lucky than good any day.  @The_CenTex_Smoker - congrats on the new smoker.  Regardless of the reviews, your new task is to pay it forward and sell the next one to a forum member.  

That would be me coach(raising hand), I'll TOFTT.


I'm about halfway there, and more than likely pulling the trigger.  Have pleaded with my peeps to talk me out of one, and they're not doing it.  Already have a nice spot picked out. 

The Cen-Tex Smoker

Focker said:

The Cen-Tex Smoker said:

Focker said:

CT,
Was at HD, they have Kingsford Mini Logs for 25 bucks a bag, hickory and mesquite.  May be the ideal size to cut in half with a sawzall, or manual with a small hatchet or axe, or fancy lopper?
http://m.homedepot.com/p/Kingsford-25-lb-BBQ-Mesquite-Wood-Logs-100524119/206442493

Saw some hickory splits at Lowes when strolling through for my chop box project.  
Didn't get a price, they were stacked by the grills.

Mesquite has been no bueno for me up to this point, but clean mesquite off the KBQ would be fair game, and awesome on some chuck and beef ribs.  HD also had a big ass bag of Kingsford cherry chunks, large in size, for 20 bucks.  Might be worth a look.

I think most of the store bought logs are kiln dried. I have a wood guy that will bring me post oak, pecan and mesquite. I may start there and look for some cherry and apple to supplement. I'm like 90% post oak anyway but I want to try a few others as well. Mesquite is plentiful here so that's definitely on the radar.

Pardon my stupid question..

Kiln dried isn't ideal then for sticks?

No- you definitely want some water in there. A lot of the magic of cooking with sticks comes from when the steam from the wood mixes with the compounds in the smoke. You lose all that with kiln dried wood

Focker

Thanks.  I thought desiccation is before the magic.

So green wood is best suited for stickburners? 

The Cen-Tex Smoker

Focker said:

Thanks.  So green wood is best suited for stickburners? 

not totally green but field dried for 3-6 months is about right

lousubcap

Logs will self-air dry to the natural moisture content of their environment  (generally in the 14-18% range) in around 4-8 months depending on the size of the logs.  Kilns are used to speed the process or take the wood to a lower moisture content.  

YukonRon

I try to avoid kiln dried wood, except for finish carpentry. I have compared kiln dried to regularly harvested wood. Kiln burns well, however I think the smoke is not as intense in flavor.
I have compared peach, apple, hickory, sugar maple, and pecan. There is a difference, that IMO, favors the non kiln dried.

Focker

The Cen-Tex Smoker said:

Focker said:

Thanks.  So green wood is best suited for stickburners? 

not totally green but field dried for 3-6 months is about right

Thanks guys.   Will keep this in mind.

Carolina Q

Most of what I use is deadfall oak or maple, some green prunings from the maple too, and occasionally, the bagged stuff from home depot. However, I came across some kiln dried cherry lumber several years ago (cabinetmakers scrap) that I knew hadn't been treated or finished. I know nothing about stick burners, but that dried stuff sure works well in my egg.

Focker

Picking up a load of small cut apple tomorrow from a guy off cl for 30 dollars, he needs gone asap.  Got a couple of skids for free.  Figured with my 4-0 around the corner, we'll do it right with the KBQ.  I may just go back to hot smoking my bacon.  Well at least cold, then hot.  It has begun.  Lol

Then it's off to get a truck load of cherry from my buddy in Des Moines.  Cooked 6 butts for his daughter's grad party last week, courtesy of Good Vybz LLC
It all works out.

Bought this grill home glidetop shed about a month ago.

Will be a nice spot for the C-60 and 22WSM.  The rest will get shuffled around.

Will tarping the top of the wood to keep rain off it be an issue guys?
Air is moving through the bottom and sides.

blasting

@Focker   Where I live, termites would dine like kings on your pallets and your fence.

cool shed btw

Focker

blasting said:

@Focker   Where I live, termites would dine like kings on your pallets and your fence.

cool shed btw

Thanks @blasting.  Looked around for a small shed and landed on this one.  With a 28" water heater pan underneath the wsm, I cook inside of it, makes for a nice windblock.

Been lucky with pests where I'm at.  A little concerned about the ash borer, with a big ash in my front yard that shades the house.  They just dumped a bunch of wasps to try to put them in check.  I doubt it will work.

The Cen-Tex Smoker

Dude. You got it bad. This thread was expensive. I have it on good authority that one other c-60 will be purchased based on the link to this thread. Funny stuf. 

Focker

The Cen-Tex Smoker said:

Dude. You got it bad. This thread was expensive. I have it on good authority that one other c-60 will be purchased based on the link to this thread. Funny stuf. 

I hate you.  Hahaha
After taking inventory, this will be 11, not 12 like I thought.  So it aint that bad, right?

In all seriousness, my hamster was on a rollercoaster for this one.  I even failed to talk myself out of one. Lol

The bbq peeps in my circle failed me too.  

They actually encouraged a KBQ.  
Worst case, and I highly doubt, could throw it on CL if it doesn't work out.

Might be chatting with you down the road for tips, if you don't mind.

In reality, this is so much cheaper than the PCC backyard model I was gunning for.  This is much more practical for me on an every cook basis, and closest I will get to an offset.

Kinda jacked up about it.  Gonna hit up Hawgeyes while in DSM, to check out their wood offerings for future reference.  My buddy has a bunch of cotton candy mulberry too.

The Cen-Tex Smoker

In reality, this is cheaper than the PCC backyard model I was gunning for.  This is much more practical for me on an every cook basis, and closest I will get to an offset. 

Im right there with you. Plus my buddy down the road is most likely getting one too (the watermelon toss champ if you remember that thread). We are looking at doing some local comps for fun   

Focker

The Cen-Tex Smoker said:

In reality, this is cheaper than the PCC backyard model I was gunning for.  This is much more practical for me on an every cook basis, and closest I will get to an offset. 

Im right there with you. Plus my buddy down the road is most likely getting one too (the watermelon toss champ if you remember that thread). We are looking at doing some local comps for fun   

Cool.  The small footprint is perfect for that.

Focker

Things are starting to take shape.  These are cut just right for the KBQ.  Got them from a really nice guy, safety analyst at Deere in East Mo.  Easily worth 30.

Boy is gonna get something for his bow at Bass Pro in Altoona for being a good helper.


CT,

Where are you parking yours?
Was contemplating building a level paver area to set it on, with the pavers stacked in the back.  Will dig deep enough to roll the mower right over it.  I want to keep it away from the house, but in the vacinity of the wood pile.  The thing is light enough to lift and set up out here each time it's used.  Thoughts?