Must have toys?

Gift certificates.  If your family and friends give you those for Christmas - and if you don't use them for at least 10 cooks, you'll have fewer unused toys to get rid of later.

If you've only been set up for 3 days, I suggest that you try your best to resist the impulse . . . until you've had a chance to see what you really need - and what you will really use.

There's a whole industry that's quite adept at flashing shiny gadgets before us that seem like really nifty ideas - until you know better.


I speak from experience.

What you need (vs want) is a way to cook raised direct and indirect and an instant read thermo. The thermopen or thermopop are the thermos of choice. There are many options for the cooking set-ups.  Easiest is to get a few fire bricks that will double as a heat deflector and support for raised grid. Simple raised grid is to pound three aluminum canned beers then use those for the elevation.  A second (weber 17" is a good fit) grid makes the whole thing quite easy to work with. 
Once you get more comfortable with the BGE or you have no worries about loading up your Xmas list-give the ceramic grill store a look, linked here;  http://ceramicgrillstore.com  the site can be a bit of a challenge to sort out the first go 'round so give them a call and you will be steered in the right direction.  FWIW-

Vacuum sealer, Dexter scalloped knife, slicer, pink salt, 

Sardonicus said:

...try your best to resist the impulse . . . until you've had a chance to see what you really need - and what you will really use.

There's a whole industry that's quite adept at flashing shiny gadgets before us that seem like really nifty ideas - until you know better.

I speak from experience.

AMEN!!

I Agree with the sages above.  Noone will dispute the utility of the thermapen.  It is practically this forums "challenge coin". Next will be how to raise the cooking surface.  If ur at all handy get clever for awhile with firebricks or bolts to attach a second grid above main one..   Yes eventually look at ceramic grill store's AR or the less $$ pswoo2.  Primo but $$$ stuff but hey it is fun and tasy.

 If you get really nutty with $$$. You can look into fancy temp control systems with a blower, meat and pit probes. Etc. i went cyberq ...  others like flameboss 200 or stoker.   It is wise as you are beginning to try n master  maintaining a low n slow temp for several hrs for ribs, boston butts/pulled pork.  Just realize if you get frustrated, keep trying.  But remember  there is a $$ cheat to maintain rock solid 225,250 or 275 for 6,10+ hours.  

But DO go slow, read, ask questions and jerry rig till ur sure.   There are a few threads on here about our most regrettable purchases.   

Swordsmn stealing wifeys acct again

And this will be the last time I ever suggest you do not spend loads of money on something. Ever. You have been warned.

Glad the pop is so well received,  but you'll pry my 3 sec reading thermapen classic from my cold dead hands.  

The Cen-Tex Smoker said:

swordsmn said:

Glad the pop is so well received,  but you'll pry my 3 sec reading thermapen classic from my cold dead hands.  

I have and love both but if I were a newb, I would buy the pop and spend that other $80 on other stuff. THEN go back and buy the pen anyway.

Just buy all the things he has. It will happen eventually anyway if you hang around here long enough.

A unicorn must not be acquired until you are a year 2 egger

Congrats on joining the asylum.  You've been given good advice by @blasting and some others but also hot air.  My advice to you is purchase slowly.  It's easy to spend a bunch of bread on stuff you don't need.  Figure out what you're really gonna be cooking and buy accordingly.

Buy some bourbon at Wal Mart

CGS will have everything you need to get the pie high in the sky, the AR with extender will do the job. Keep a close eye on your wallet, it can get pricey on this site, wait till the cooler talk starts  lol

claphamsa said:

ok, thanks for all the advice!  I have a large selection of thermos from previous smoker and my homebrewing.  I am a big pizza maker (tomato aversion means i have to make my own!) so a pizza stone is important, I see that pushing the pizza up towards the dome is very important, so ill be an adjustable rig!

thanks:)

I much prefer the Roswell Rig for doing pizzas, you can cook 2 at the same time and if only one it will get it as high as possible in the dome.

http://www.innovationsbychance.com/the-roswell-rig.html

I like my pops but the extra length of the thermapen comes in handy with those higher temp cooks!