Big time noob

awilly1 · Joined: 19 Sep 2006 Posts: 4 Location: Hudson, IA

Hey all, just found this site today. I am Iowa born and raised (and still here). My favorite hobby is homebrewing beer and real BBQ seemed to be the perfect compliment (or vice-versa) to that craft. I was just given a Char Griller with a side fire box for my birthday and am very anxious to try it out. I don't know the first thing about BBQ'ing but from reading through a few of the posts here it looks like this'll be a great place to help me get going.

Gourmet-Gator · Posted: Sep 19 2006 Post subject:

Welcome Bro, plenty of good info here so have at it and have a great trip down BBQ Lane !!!

Rub N Smoke · Posted: Sep 19 2006 Post subject:

Welcome. Any questions you have I'm sure someone will help you with so ask away. Happy Q-ing!! Twisted Evil

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Cookin' Wit' A Little Spit Aint Yo' MaMas Barbecue!!
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BigSmokeyG · Posted: Sep 20 2006 Post subject: Welcome fellow Char-Griller

Welcome and enjoy. I too am relatively new to the world of BBQ. I got a Char-Griller Pro with SFB at the beginning of this summer and we used it often (both as a smoker and as a grill). I would suggest that you use this site to acquire the following info:
1. Do the mods which are suggested on this site and others. Easiest is extending the chimney down into the smoking chamber so that it is closer to the grill. Also, flip the charcoal grate to create a baffle.
2. Use onatural Lump Charcoal as fuel (I like Royal Oak).
3. Learn about and use the Minion Method for your fire. Basically it means filling the fire box with unlit coals and dumping a chimney full of hot coals on top. This gives you a long, slow and even burn.
4. Get yourself a couple of Digital Thermometers (I like the Maverick brand with dual probs. one for the meat and one to monitor the temp at grill level.
5. Get yourself one or two charcoal chimneys (Weber makes a good one).
6. Start out with trying to get good at Pork back ribs and chicken before you move onto Pork Butt and Brisket. Ribs and Chix don't take nearly as long and are therefore somewhat easier for the newbie (like me). I tried Pork Butt twice. First time it was OK, second it sucked.
7. Start up a few batches of that good home brew 'cause everyone knows the secret to great Q is the beer!
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Chargiller Pro
Toolbox Grill for the beach

Salad is great...when used as bait!

Caroline's Rub · Posted: Sep 20 2006 Post subject:

Hey Awilly1! Welcome to the forum!
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Gourmet-Gator · Posted: Oct 11 2006 Post subject:

Welcome Bro!

TampaBeerKnurd · Newbie Joined: 02 Jun 2006 Posts: 33

Welcome Awhilly1... Congrats on the new cooker and welcome. I think Bigsmokey hit the nail right on the head with all his comments. The one thing I would add is to always take notes and pictures as you are trying out new things with your smoker(and share pictures and any epiphanies that you have with us Laughing

). I'm pretty new to 'que as well and I focused on perfecting ribs first, and I'm proud to say that I've figured them out pretty quickly and can make some pretty darn good ribs on a consistent basis. This website helps make the learning curve a lot quicker.
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Ribs and beer, ribs and beer, all I want is ribs and beer! Oh yeah, some brisket and pulled pork would be good too.

Smokin' and jokin' in Tampa, FL

elk · BBQ Fan Joined: 19 Jun 2006 Posts: 328 Location: St. Louis

You're in Iowa. Throw some pork butts on the cooker, keep it at about 225 for about 10 hours, consume one pint per hour minimum, two being optimum; let the blue smoke roll! Wink

Welcome aboard.