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I did some beef burgers for dinner this evening. It was a nice change, homemade buns, the works.

So my cold smoke unit finally arrived.. I have had some fitment issues, as My 23 OTB is so old, Dennis couldn't remember if it came over on the Nina, Pinta, or the Santa Maria! So. Once I got it all attached via the Guru tube. Did some ribs, using hickory chunks. Got it lit ok, only had to re-light once.. but the chunks burned fairly fast. Nice hickory smoke flavor. I chose to use it before I had it really mounted properly, and when I wasn't looking for a second, it fell over and burnt the S)&! out of my inner arm.. Measured the surface temperature of the tube, it was around 1400 degrees.. Lesson learned.. Wait until it's mounted right. LOL Had lots of smoke escaping from the side lighting holes in the tube. but still worked ok.. Cleaning. Well, it sure makes a mess that needs to be cleaned.. But worth it. Soaked in in PBW overnight. and lots of scrubbing.. I did find a toilet brush at ace, that fits just inside the big tube YAY Next was chicken legs.. This time, I used post oak pellets, microwaved them as Dennis recommends.. loaded the tube half full, lit it and it rip. Pellets stayed lit 100%, still have smoke departing through the side holes etc.. But a nice smokey flavor! didnt have time to clean it that night.. So yesterday, came home yesterday. was going to clean it.. And.. thought.. hey, before I do, I hot a half pound of cheddar.. Let's cold smoke it. Had the smoker and unit ready in minutes ! Loaded with a MIXTURE of pellets and chunks. Mostly pellets.. lit It off. No problems.. it was more windy yesterday. and lots of smoke departing the holes.. Thought.. wait a minute.. took a piece of foil and plugged up one of the two holes.. Problem solved! Smoke now billowing out of the smoker! Very little from the hole.. Perfect.. Rolled the smoke on 18 minutes of so, and it was perfect. No appreciable temp change in the grill, awesome smoky flavor, and almost ll the smoke going in the grill where it belongs

I picked up two pieces of chuck, salt and peppered and then for the sake of laziness two herbs were close by (Thyme and Rosemary) so I dusted them up and wraped in some plastic wrap until the KK came to temp. 5-6 hours later running at 250 I opened the lid and noticed my chucky needed a shave, pictures don't lie. No matter, a brush off here and there and all was well. Should of used fresh, God knows I have plenty of it, but it was out in the yard and I just grabbed the closest thing. AHH

Had some time on my hands so I thought another Ark of the Covenant "planter" was needed. They're both great herb garden boxes, sides are pitched at 11 degrees, double walled and easily repaired down the road as there made to come apart easily. An unusual box to make because they require an angle of 11 degrees on the each end to hold a level plane, tricky it is unless you see the flow. It sits off the ground so those pesky woodchucks don't rob you blind and you don't have to bend your tired back so. Mackenzie you'd be glad to know I trapped the woodchuck I had in the yard just like those French trappers of yesteryear, he's gone you might say relocated. The bird house incorporated a natural piece I noticed while splitting wood, I thought it might work well as a front. And the tool box can be for flowers or herbs, I have made them in the past, made in various sizes for friends. Best tomatoes I've had, strong vines and it never lost a leaf or turned a color with it's leaves during the summer, perfectly sweet flavor with a constant meaty texture side to side, grown in this particular box....still producing into late September here in Massachusetts.

The 4x4 pot holder - genius

I’m looking forward to learning from all of you! My first question (one of many I am sure) how did you guys keep your thermometer in place? Did you use the supplied clip to keep it from moving around? Without the clip attached the thermometer rotates whenever I open or close the lid. I’ve seen a few videos on YouTube where it doesn’t look like people are using the clip on the underside of the lid. Thanks in advance for your feedback!

I love smoking cheese although I have not done it for some time. I need to smarten up.

love that bird house !!!!

A nice black tux, all you need is a white bow tie. A very formal looking KK I'd say.

I've been doing raised bed gardening for decades and I love it, I get more produce than you can imagine and nothing much for weeds. There is no room for weeds once they are full with veggies. Neat bird house, too.

Good choice of KK! Same as mine. Just used the clip to secure the thermometer- easy peasy, no issues after 3yrs!