results are in!!!1-first cook complete

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Why did I wait? That is one question I'm sure I will always be asking myself. I fired up the cooker today at 10am and put on a small 4# boneless butt. With all thermometers in cheque, I closed the lid and didn'open it until 9.5 hours later.[p]At first observation I noticed that with just a small handful of hot coals the LBGE was quickly building in heat. I was skeptical at first about not using water in the drip pan, but that quickly changed when I noticed the moisture build-up on inner edge of the Daisy wheel holes. The moisture retention in this thing is outstanding! The temperature in the LBGE quickly rose to a temp of 235 when I started to adjust the vents in an attempt to equalize the temperature. After a few minutes it looked as though I was on my way.[p]Only at the begining of the cook I stumbled on some heat bursts. I was able to quickly recover and let the LBGE do it's thing. I used one small chunk of cherry and one chunk of hickory for smoke. The initial smoke lasted all of about a half-hour. What followed was a ten hour mezmorizing wave of pure bbq perfume. Oh my lord did it ever smell good.[p]Well, as the day progressed there was very little to do except the occasional vent adjustment or crack open another beverage. I'm not use to that coming from a stick burner. Towards the end of the cook, I was getting a little antsy. I could see the sweat sitting on the meat as I looked through the Daisy Wheel holes. Only a little longer I kept reminding myself, a little longer.[p]Finally, after 9.5 hours the alarm sounded! The time had finally come. The only time I will be lifting the lid of my first cook on the the LBGE. With much ajubilation I lifted the lid to see what is probably one of the prettiest pork butts I had ever made. The color was fantastic! The outer bark was so surreal. [p]Time to eat! With pork who needs forks? With two fingers I pulled my first piece from the butt. Oh-my! So moist with just the right amount of smoke. The bark? Well, I've been calling it "pig candy" (sorry salmon) all night.[p]The first cook on my long awaited new LBGE, was a huge success. I would like to thank all of you for helping in my decision. This cooker is definately one of the best I've ever used. To anyone even thinking of purchasing one I would like to offer one piece of advice. Don't hesitate! And, if you are little afraid of cooking on a device such as this, there are a lot of people in the "bbq" community that will lend a helping hand. [p]It's been a long day, the coffee is ready and my blueberry pie is calling my name. So, I'll end this in saying that there is a 9# butt in the fridge and a brisket beckoning for their day on the legendary LBGE. They won't have to wait too long though, I'll be cooking them in a couple days![p]Q'en makes me happy!
phillip [p]