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EV chargers got installed today. This basically completes the project. Painting the house in a few weeks then just have to let all the fruit trees and vegetation grow in

Hello everyone, I figured since I'm going to have a ton of questions....makes sense to introduce myself. I've been lurking for a couple of years and have finally worn down the Mrs.'s spending-force-field on a 32 BB. Research is a big part of what I do and I've recently completed my KK research-walk-about; where I look at all the various options other than the KK (at a similar price-point or less): all-SS pellet smokers, offset stick burners (including reverse and standard flow), kettles...you name it. I currently have a 15 year-old Traeger that is slowly rusting and returning back to the Earth. Before that, I had a Weber-esque classic charcoal BBQ - I got pretty good at turning out nice steaks and burgers, though nothing else. I miss that charcoal taste... On the Traeger, I've cooked nearly everything there is to smoke low-and-slow: bacon, brisket, pork butt, salmon... I like the set-and-forget nature of the pellet smoker...though I'm less interested these days in electrical components that could wear down due to weather and time. Looking at some of the all-SS pellet smokers, there were still folk on BBQ forums pulling their hair-out with controller issues. Something that rings true with my current rig. Then...the stick burners. There are models that offer BBQ trays as an extra or an attached-but-seperate BBQ pit "hybrid". Again, if you look around the interwebs, you'll see folk really happy with these - and if you look closely...you'll see spots of rust. No thank you. If I'm investing that much in a cooking tool, I came up with the following criteria: 1) I want to be able to use it often and I want to use it often (how quick does it start up, how easy is it to maintain, etc)...plus there's a happiness/pride factor... 2) it's gotta be convenient (set and forget)...with two young kiddos and two pups, I have enough babysitting on my hands... 3) produce outstanding food that is better than an oven or the stove; for small groups or the whole extended family (about 18 of us) 4) last the next 20+ years and be reliable (buying things that truly last is rather appealing: the last-tool-first philosophy) 5) do what the current smoker does and more At the end of my walk-about...only the KK ticks all the above. So, we have a few ducks to get lined up before pulling the lever...namely, we're having our deck fully replaced and extended. As part of that project, I'm highlighting an area that needs a bit more substantial substructure: where the KK will be at home. (yes, I do my homework. 😁) We're early in the build process - who woulda-thunkit that good contractors are insanely busy... I'll be sure to post updates when they happen! Stew

Got mine yesterday too! Installed immediately for its first cook last night. Looks really nice!

Look-y what just showed up. Thank you, Dennis!

Here was the leftover eye fillet in a Thai salad. it’s all in the dressing

Inspired me Aussie. tasmanian beef ribs. I see why you keep cooking ribs. they never look like much on the butchers rack, but grow into a superb meal after slow cooking.

2 out of 3 on #1, it takes a while to get to temp however, once there it's smooth sailing, that should make you happy. #2 is pretty much a given, holds temp and you can do a few errands around town. #3 foods great, as long as you don't kill it. #4 Tools last as long as you care for them. I have a Grill Dome that's lasted me 25+ years, and it's not the same quality as a KK. #5 Cooks on 3 levels. Roto. Split basket, Split zone. Cold smoke. SS grates, it fits the bill and more. I think you'll like it

All, thanks for your very helpful tips and advice. I realized that the spit has a threaded hole on both sides, and the blunt tip that screws onto the end can go deeper on the other side than the one it was originally shipped in. Those few millimeters of difference let it mount comfortably. It also meant removing the little spacer ring that went around the threaded screw side of the blunt tip. All set to go! It is fun to have the KK's capabilities grow over time as I reach deeper into pizza cooks, rotisserie, and more.

Nice homework. Sounds like you know what you want and why! A piece of advice on the deck rebuild - see if you can score some ironwood decking for the area around where the KK will go. One of the rare woods that will scorch but not burn/flame up. (trivia - it's also one of the rare woods that doesn't float in water.) I've had a live coal drop on mine and you just sand it off and no one's the wiser. Sounds like you've got the structural aspects all scoped out. Ask away - that's what this Forum is mostly about - that, and food porn!

That is pretty awesome. As a techno-geek and "desire to be off the grid type" person, I applaud you.

A sharp dressed thermometer

Nice clean work @Troble

Basher, that looks deeeelicious.

ORDER CONFIRMED !!!! 😀👌🎉🍺

We ordered our lounge chairs first week of May. They finally arrived today after many emails about delays and back order/COVID etc wife is happy. They turned out good

Thanks for the welcome, It's a sofa fabric discussion rather than cover fabric discussion at the moment, although I do think it would be cute to get something to match. Mackenzie - I have just cancelled the order for the other ceramic oven. Tekobo - gateway drug - I like that.... fixing up to have a look at some gear at a sofa maker on Wednesday. I also got my acoustic drum kit together and photographed it and it is going for sale on Gumtree and Reverb in the next day or so, so there will be a bit of cash freed up . I did cook on the Weber last night and had a couple of beers in the pub next door. Mrs RD was at home watching her favourite comedian on You-Tube - Konstantin Kissin - otherwise known as KK - I'm not usually superstitious but I think this too much of a coincidence. Basher - the 3.5 T includes the fairly substantial foundation and Portland stone slab base so the oven isn't really that giant. Internal diameter is 3 feet, the walls are one foot thick, it's about 7 feet long and about 6 ft + high excluding chimney. As requested : a pic (or two) The first one when I realised that mobile wasn't going to work.

Thanks I’ve been doing this 12 years so I cashed in a few favors and got the new stuff. The gateway 2 is white and branded so it makes it all clean looking when you hide the conduit. We have 2 EVs so I knock out our power and gas bill and the batteries got installed just in time for the blackouts this weekend

@tekobo yes you are right I’m so into gardening. I’ve picked up a yellow passion fruit tree and black mission fig tree since the last update.... we finally got my roof and solar done. This is what I do for a living so I geek out on this stuff. We got a new roof, 15kW of solar, 3 Tesla Powerwalls for battery storage and I got 2 Tesla EV chargers on back order. Got everything installed by my friends company who did it super clean. Here’s the end result

Sounds like it's a tad too tight. You might want to loosen it up a bit. I'd wait until after the burn-in before doing it though, as things can shift about then.

Good info on the latches here. Sometimes my latch will pop open to the first position, after I’ve fully closed it. I’ve found that I have to rotate the cam a little and then close it to the second position again and wait a few seconds to see if it’ll pop open again. Anyone else had this issue? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The LAST of the local corn! 😢 Country style pork rib, rubbed with - hommage to Aussie - Poultry seasoning mixed with Eat This. Indirect (there's that pesky thin sheet of AL foil again!), with smoker pot of hickory and apple wood, 250F. HURRAY - I can upload pics again!! Plated with some leftover polenta and ragu sauce. Side salad.