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Dear Santa

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It sounds pathetic, but my wife, mother-in-law, and mother insist that I provide a list of ideas for Christmas every year. They claim that I'm impossible to buy for because when I see something I want, I usually just buy it for myself, leaving them with few alternatives and no ideas. The good thing is that I don't end up with ony socks and underwear, but I still feel like I'm too old to be typing up a wish list.

Since my POSK and all the gear I had to go with it are packed away in a warehouse somewhere in the US, and I've recently purchased the far superior KK (affectionately known as "Cookie's Monster), I need to "gear up." I've started a list - but why not let some of you guys & gals help me with it??? What else should be in a KK owner's repertoire???

Here is what I've got so far (keep in mind I have all of Dennis' KK accessories):

1. BBQ Guru or Stoker (I'm going to post a separate topic with a voting button)

2. Surface thermometer: http://www.amazon.com/Outset-F810-Grill ... 006&sr=8-4

3. Bear Paws: http://www.amazon.com/Bear-Paws-D333413 ... 256&sr=1-1

4. Insulated Food Gloves: http://www.amazon.com/Steven-Raichlen-B ... gy_k_img_b

5. Jalepeno Roaster: http://www.amazon.com/Steven-Raichlen-B ... 341&sr=1-2

6. Stainless Veggie Basket: http://www.amazon.com/Weber-6434-Profes ... 490&sr=1-9

7. Pizza Peel: http://www.amazon.com/EXO-Super-Pizza-S ... 592&sr=1-4

8. 2 Qt Dutch Oven To Make Smoke Pot: http://www.amazon.com/Bayou-Classic-740 ... 632&sr=1-1

9. Big Bob Gibson Book (Lilly): http://www.amazon.com/Big-Bob-Gibsons-B ... 753&sr=8-1

10. Smoke and Spice Book (Jamison): http://www.amazon.com/Smoke-Spice-Cooki ... pd_sim_b_1

11. Low and Slow Book (Wiviott): http://www.amazon.com/Low-Slow-Master-B ... 011&sr=1-7

12. Back Yard BBQ Book (McPeake): http://www.amazon.com/Backyard-BBQ-Smok ... gy_b_img_c

What else? What are your favorite gadgets? Favorite rubs / spices / exotic woods? I have just about every "grilling" book in the top ten at Amazon and B&N. I've got the basic grill tools covered.

Cookie

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Re: Dear Santa

The Charcuterie book is a great reference book to own, I have an autographed copy that I peruse in the shop. The book by Gary Wiviot is a no nonsense aproach to BBQ that leans heavily on the Weber Smokey Mountain. I'll be talking to him next Saturday at Ronnie_Suburban's annual Christmas/Hannukka party. I would like to get Raichlen's BBQ gloves as well. Really recommend the Thermapen, indispensable for any cooking, accurate in about 10 seconds or less.

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Re: Dear Santa

Don't waste money on a jalapeno roaster, takes up space, unitasker, don't need it. I got one as a gift and just trashed it after never using it for a year. It wasn't stainless and rusted to hell anyway. Toss your jalapenos on the grill, or in a grill wok or veggie basket. Surface thermometer also useless, you have to open the lid to see it. Better to use a remote thermometer, I like the Oregon Scientific AW 131; or if you get a Guru or a Stoker you won't necessarily need that either. But the AW 131 is good to have because it transmits far and reliably. If you are grilling with the lid open, you don't need a surface thermometer, just your eyes to see you have a good hot fire. All the other stuff seems good, a Thermapen should top your list for rotisserie cooking. Guru or Stoker should be the top of the top of the list.

I get the exact same complaints, that I'm impossible to buy for and I buy everything I want already; and a demand for a list at Christmas. I hate it, it makes me feel greedy or selfish. And as a Christian I don't like the emphasis on gifts anyway. But it is a tradition and people ARE going to get you gifts, so, just sigh, be polite and give a list. I give people a list of very modestly priced things commensurate with their income.

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Re: Dear Santa

Doc, how do you keep your jalepeno stuffing (I use cheese with pre-cooked sausage and/or real bacon), from oozing out all over the place? That is the only reason I thought it'd be a good idea, keeps them upright easily. I made a batch last week and tried to seal the tops by wrapping with bacon and sticking in some toothpicks, but they still came apart before the end of the cook and I lost the goodies.

My poll that I started separately has overwhelming support for the guru, so I guess I'll go with that one, although I like the idea of the web access and control, so I'm still debating. Decisions Decisions

I hear what you are saying Doc about being modest on the cost of items, etc. The wife can get me the guru, won't feel guilty on that one since the funds are from the same source. The rest of the items are within reason for those asking for ideas.

We do a large extended family gift swap, where you can steal / trade / bargain, etc., and I've ordered a cheapy Brinkmann smoker and one of the how to books mentioned in this thread, combined for less than $50, which is the spending cap per person for the game. The smoker was on sale online at Home Depot for less than $40 with free shipping. The guys will be fighting over this one...maybe even a couple of the ladies. Anything I can do to generate more interest in the family, which will hopefully lead to more KK'ers in the family.

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Re: Dear Santa

I just roast my jalapenos plain and eat them, but if you want to stuff them the roaster may be a good idea after all! Interesting about the Brinkmann. I tried to modify one, the charcoal Gourmet model, not the electric, to be airtight before I got my KK. It has an excellent charcoal basket with a nice round hole in the bottom that could be rigged for a Guru or Stoker. I popped out the thermometer to use that hole for a Weber adjustable vent. The Brinkmann does not have a top vent, it simply has a loose fitting lid. I tried to seal that off with various types of stove gaskets, but never was successful, because the lid and opening are not dead round. Of course you could just get a Weber Smoky Mountain, but I had the Brinkmann on hand and like to tinker. So I just got the KK and gave the Brink to the local humane society re-sale shop.

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Re: Dear Santa

Doc, were you suggesting that I could purchase a WSM for $50 or less for our gift exchange? If you know a place, please do tell, I'll buy one for a friend and throw it in as excess baggage on my way back to Singapore from the USA. I thought they were like $300 USD??? Maybe I misinterpreted your comment...

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Re: Dear Santa

What I meant was, if you wanted an airtight metal smoker, you could buy a WSM instead of trying to mod the Brink. Of course the WSM is, I think, $299 for the 22". So no I was not implying they cost the same. But I had the Brink on hand, had not quite convinced my wife to pop 4 G's for the KK, and was tinkering around to try to get some sort of cheap air controlled smoker while I waited her out. I actually think you can do it, but I finally just decided to get the KK and be done with it.

Larry R might be able to tell if you can get as good results off a WSM as a KK. My guess is not, or maybe not as easy, or maybe only for certain cooks. I thought of getting a WSM, or a Primo Junior, as a secondary cooker, but then started pestering Dennis to make a KK Junior. He originally told me don't hold your breath, it ain't happening, but... Seems like the squeaky wheel gets the grease! He is at least designing or prototyping one. I have requested to purchase the first production KK Junior, sight unseen.

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Re: Dear Santa

Thanks for the clarification Doc. I was thinking about the WSM as a secondary as well, but maybe I'll just hunt Dennis down while I'm in Indonesia on Monday and beat you both to the punch??? I'm a premium flyer on Singapore Airlines, I'm sure I could convince them to check it in for me for the return to Singapore... I have the geographic advantage! :wink:

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Re: Dear Santa

Frans, I don't think you are mad. But if you are married, your spouse might! But hey, with three Primos you are set for some awesome parties. I just bought a third Colnago, which makes four bikes total, and have to hide it from my wife until after Christmas or she will strangle me. Somehow I will convince her it is for fitness and weight control, not just pure Italian bike lust.

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It has been 3 years since I made the initial post in this thread. What new gizmos, cookbooks, and KK related products that are not already mentioned should be included in our KK aresenals?

Personally, I have found Fruita wood to be the best quality for smoking. It is not dried out, smells awesome, and is far superior than most of what you find in your local hardware stores / hyper-marts. http://www.fruitawoodchunks.com/ Some more of this will be on my list this year.

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