x2 17" diameter clay planters $20
x1 GE hot plate $16 (we ended up not using this)
x1 13" non-stick replace grill $2
x1 Deep Fryer Thermometer $4
x2 Disposable Pie Tins $3
x1 Bag Lump Charcoal $5
x1 Bag Large Hickory Chucks $4
x1 Bag Mesquite Chips $3
Summary:
Originally we tried to use an electric hot plate as our heating element, but we couldn't achieve an internal temperature in the smoker greater than 150° F. We quickly punted on that plan and changed to lump charcoal. Using the charcoal we were able to maintain an average temperature between 225-250° F. The clay pots kept the temperatures very consistent. We smoked a 6.4lb pork roast for 7.5 hours. It turned out fantastic, very juicy, tender and flavorful.
Lessons Learned:
-Just use charcoal as the heat source. We had good airflow through the smoker to maintain the coals and we kept consistent temperatures. We used rocks to prop up the charcoal tin over the bottom ventilation whole in the clay pot.
-Setting up a second batch of coals around the 4 hour mark and swapping them out work very well for renewing the heat source
-We may try separating the coals and the wood source next time, so that the two can be replenished independently.
I am being with great happiness to anticpate the start of the futballing season!
My picks league and fantasy leagues are all set to go. Our picks league has finally switched from a home grown site, to free site provided by one of the major networks. The interface is a HUGE improvement and will definitely speed up my time in making my picks each week.
The fantasy draft was last night. I was happy Firethorn finally conned Jah into playing. I had been telling him from the inception of the new season that Jah would be a great fit. I fully expect him to give Jeho a run for his money. The draft was a lot of fun. I think the only negative was a certain someone intentionally being a douche and each round letting the timer run all the way down before making his picks. We all have different senses of humor, but I think there is a delicate line between being funny and just appearing retarded. That line is typically defined by whether your humor style is to provide laughter for others or to simply annoy everyone for your own enjoyment. My description to KT last night was “It’s like being in a really long line with all your friends and one of them decides to shit himself. He thinks it’s hilarious and keeps saying things like ‘you guys must be so embarrassed.’ Yet, all you and the rest of your party can think is that everyone around is thinking ‘how nice of those boys to bring that handicapped man with them.’” Her response was very priceless. It was a disgusted look and “Oh.” That made me smile.
