Weird traditions you do while smoking/Q'ing

[delriosmoke]

Good morning Ring,

Got a 13.5# packer about to finish up on the UDS and I realized that everytime I have an overnight cook I wake up early and kill an entire pot of STRONG black french roast. Don't normally drink this much coffee during the week, could be due to lack of time at work.

Also I like to sit outside in the early AM and chain smoke cigarettes or some good pipe tobacco and smell the combination of that and the woodsmoke from the cooker. The cooler fall air is nice for this. If cooking at night and have people over I will usually have a beer or six and after everyone leaves I scan craigslist and ebay for weird stuff or vintage Jeep parts. Only when Q'ing do I check ebay. These things aren't really all that odd now reading them over in this post but I only do them when the smoker is chugging along.

Anyone else have any Q'ing traditions/habits you'd like to share?

Take care,
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-Grant

2 home made UDS's (this man's "other" best friend)
Brinkmann Smoke n'Pit
$10 Wallyworld Charcoal Grill
Lodge Cast Irons and dutch ovens (new at these)

[tnbarbq]

I like to put on my favorite overalls




Not really me. Honest.
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Scooter
Large BGE
Char-Broil American Gourmet
Brinkman Bullet

[Jeff T]

I usually smoke cigs like a chimney & listen to some bluegrass music while cooking. And i`m a eighty's hair band kinda guy..... back then i even had hair & long too.

[necron 99]

My usual routine is to kick back in the shade on the back porch under our outdoor ceiling fan while my smoker is cookin' away, with some iced tea. A few months of the year this is impractical when the ambient temperature drops below 70 degrees F, so the ceiling fan stays off and coffee replaces iced tea.

I always enjoy relaxing and watching the wildlife doing their thing during days I'm running one or more smokers - we get great blue herons, egrets, hawks, and have seen a pair of Southern bald eagles around our house several times this past year. Armadillos, possums, racoons, and various snake species are common sights as well, along with the occasional gator.

I'll also usually be working on a batch of homemade BBQ sauce, and / or making something for dessert, at some point during the day when I've got a cooker or two going.
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Let's hope SoEzzy can ditch his heavy hand on photos in 2016!

[smoke51]

usually ill chain smoke cigs while the smoker is coming up to temp and than put the meat on and have a few more smokes until the smoker is up to temp...than i lay on the couch and browse this forum for a little bit and than watch some tv. i found i have to keep myself busy or its entirely too hard to fight the urge to start diving head first into the cooler full of beer. i few weeks ago i couldnt resist the urge and cracked the first beer at maybe 9:30...lets just say it was a long day.

usually i just sit around and watch tv and have the mavrick sitting next to me so i can keep an eye on things
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ProQ Excel 20
CG with sfb and a few mods
Sears BBQ Pro
charbroiler professional series stainless gas grill

[samson]

If its an all nighter I like to sit back next to the smoker, drink a couple beers and enjoy the night. Nothing special but its nice and relaxing. This time of year "stinks" due to the unusually large population of skunks in my town. I get nervous going out to check on things since I don't know whats out there hanging around. It took a couple "incidents" with my dog and now I don't like letting her out after 9 pm.

[Burbs]

Since I'm new to the smoking world, while the smoker is going, I've been scanning the forum for information. This site is addicting.

Of course, there's football, so I have to watch that. I'm also a big NASCAR fan, so I've been watching the races. Yes, even us New England folks love racing........not many, but there are some.
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"Don't let yourself get attached to anything you are not willing to walk out on in 30 seconds flat if you feel the heat around the corner."


Weber Green One-Touch Gold
Pro Q Frontier Smoker

[dj420]

A few Sam Adams, comfy lawn chair in the shade, & just watch the traffic go by. Sweet
But now; winter is almost upon us. So its a couple gin tonics, recliner by the tv, & remote thermometer. not so sweet
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Brinkmann SNPP - modded
Sears BBQ Pro Deluxe
Weber Genesis Silver

[smok "n" beer]

Nothing real strange here, I just go out in the yard and walk 3 right hand circles then hop on one foot back to the house to soak my head in a cooler full of beer.

really I end up doing some sort of yard work or clean the garage.

[BigRackBBQ]

BEER!

[T00lman]

jack daniels no rocks with a can of ice cold diet coke putzing around the yard doing nothing specail just looking busy for the wife .
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1 bad azz d.o table
weber 22 1/2 x 2
some of its magic some of its tragic
#37 liar
1 wsm 18 1/2
1wsm 22 1/2

[Old Smoker]

I guess my thing is pretty much like necron 99's. I have a screened in porch w/ceiling fan.The smoker sits in front of the garage just a couple of feet from the porch, so I just kinda sit back,sip a few,smoke a few,pittle with the fire and watch the critters back in the woods. I mean I've done the yard thing and washed the car even read a little,but i still like to kick back and chill. If it's an all-nighter,brew is replaced with coffee,Red Bull or a couple of Monsters or I can sit out in the garage and listen to tunes.
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WSM 22.5 - Chargriller Pro
I cook to eat not to compete
LIAR #29
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[ga.smoke]

Amen on the bluegrass and smokes Jeff T, I also add beer and a little yard work. If I have guests the yard work is omitted and more beer is applied!
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no such thing as too much smoke.

[SierraScott]

I like a Guinness in a glass, then I sit back on the porch in the wee hours of the morning and let smoke mixed with the smell of the mountains get into my head. All that I can think about is how much fun it will be in 14 hours when the butt and beans are done!
_________________
Scott

Custom Built Upright Smoker
Weber One Touch Silver 22.5"
CharBroil Silver Smoker

[stevo]

Me, Ol Smokey, couple few 20 pints and the wife bitchin at me from the house. The garage is about 150 feet from the house and all the neighbors know when I am smokin. Not because of the fresh smell of apple but her yellin at me. "ARE YOU GOING TO BE OUT THERE ALL DAY?"

Single smokers, remember this...... Wrap it like an ABT!!!!!

Just another note, there is nothing better then a good day of nursing a smoker and getting some yard work done.
I am now seing alot of posts with their kids joining in on the fun. My girl is two years old today and I can't wait to get her involved in the cookin (not the beer yet).
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"BEER"
Now cheaper than gas.
Drink don't drive

[Tony]

Drink Shiner's Bock...LOTS of Shiner's Bock!

Best Regards, Tony

[joelocalguy]

Amen on the Shiner Bock!!!
Best advise is to not leave your smoker for too long. Make sure the fire and temps stay steady. If you go inside, set a timer to go back as time can get away.
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I drink SHINER BOCK while I BBQ, Use apple and oak Wood.

[Jeff_From_VA]

beer

[Tony]

Hey Joe!

How are things on the Left Coast?

Last time I saw one of Your Posts You were setting up Your Sausage House!

Give us all another shot of that venue, Bud!

Just a Heads up Joe...You are the reason I drink Shiner's Bock today!

Man, They've come a LONG way,eh?

Best Regards, Tony

[joelocalguy]

My old boss and the clerk are coming over Monday. We're making 150 lbs of sausage. Pepperoni, potato, smoked franks, maple breakfast, hot country breakfast, and some brats.
On Tuesday we will seal them up for the freezer.
Tuesday afternoon I will be injecting 13 turkeys and will be smoking all day Wednesday. I will try to sneek a couple of pork butts and three racks of St. Louis in with the turkeys. It will probably take alot of time as the turkeys are 16-20 pounds.
Thursday is delivery day.
Isn't retired life fun?
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I drink SHINER BOCK while I BBQ, Use apple and oak Wood.