I have this one: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06ZZRR7XD/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
It works great. Pack the pellets in it tightly. I use a propane torch to light it - direct flame for about a minute, then let it burn for another three or four minutes before blowing out the flame. It will smolder for about 5-6 hours when full. Great for cold smoking cheese. Also good for laying more smoke on whatever you have in the smoker.
If they purchased the proper gasket tape its fine. Its called fireblack or lavalock depending on the company you purchase it from. It's used to seal smokers and grills. With Charcoal or stick burner grill/smokers you don't want any additional air getting in from cracks that could fluctuate your temperature. If you are trying to smoke a brisket you want to keep the temp even, steady, and low and the additional air will cause your fuel to burn hotter and produce black acrid smoke that will make it taste poorly. If the gasket tape isn't directly in the flame it shouldn't burn. The ambient heat shouldn't cause it to off gas chemicals.
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Spicy jam/jelly. Spicy ice cream (not very hot, just a slight warmth to follow the sweet). Spicy powder-spiked sugar or salt to rim the glass for fancy drinks. Flavored simple syrups. Flavored vinegars. http://www.gotmead.com/forum/showthread.php/23562-Jamaican-Gravy-(XXX-Hot-Sauce) I didn’t have scotch bonnets, but I made a quart sized mason jar of this with a cup of Piri Piri peppers and about 6 ghosts and it was pretty awesome. You can also cut them in half and cold smoke them. https://www.amazon.com/LIZZQ-Premium-Pellet-Smoker-Tube/dp/B06ZZRR7XD/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?keywords=Pellet+smoker+tube&qid=1559170747&s=gateway&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1 Check this link, and check out some YouTube videos too. Once cold smoked, you can use them as is, or further roast them to make em soft and blend them into some cream cheese as the base for a spicy dip, or jalapeño poppers. You can blanch them to lower the heat a little bit, and then use them. You can ferment them to bring out more flavor, add flavors, and lessen the heat. This will change your hot sauce game too. You can make spicy tomato sauce, spicy gazpacho, spicy bbq sauce, or just grind em up, make tea with them, and spray em on your plants as deer repellant.
What about a hammock on a stand? They collapse down small, but still very comfortable for sleeping (source: have slept in hammock on a stand).
ETA: Like this.
Also, as a teacher, I GUARANTEE the thing he will appreciate most is a letter from you, his students. Did you do a production of a play that was particularly significant, or study a playwright that he helped you fall in love with? Buy a copy of that play, and have each of you sign/write a message on the book covers/pages of the play. He will always remember you, and the time you guys all spent together.
No. Most will break in a storm from the wind.
Your only option for hammock at camp is a portable hammock stand or one of those car hammock things. Idk how much the car things cost but you can get the non car version for $50
1/2" x 1/8" Lavalock High Temp Nomex BBQ HT gasket smoker seal, self stick grey https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JO00S04/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_9VHJRE057JA8F39F0M6C?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Worked like a charm on my pro 34. Gl 👍
I have that same smoker, I absolutely love it. I found I was getting a bit of airflow leak coming out of the lid, made the temps fluctuate a bit. I bought some high temp gasket tape and it's worked perfectly. Put it all around the lid, somewhat trial and error. Amazon Link
At least invest in one of these: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B003YJPC2A/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Oh no…. No no no…..
Sun Joe AJ801E 13 in. 12 Amp Electric Scarifier + Lawn Dethatcher w/Collection Bag, Green https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FEATL2I/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_THN5TBHBPNV5YEKE1BPN
A rake like that will not only destroy your hands, it’ll destroy you soul, spirit, and will to live.
Dethatching and scarifying really need to be done via machine. Gas/battery/plug in, one way or another it’s gotta be powered. You will not have nearly the same success as you will with a hand rake.
We dethatched after 3 years, and we’re amazed at the amount it pulled up. Never would I ever wish that amount of work on my worst of enemys.
I did it as I had some leakage around the door. I used this. Easy enough to cut with scissors and put on. Just clean the edge well where you want it to stick.
this is the real answer. I used binder clips too, but after putting this under the lid, it’s completely sealed and no clips necessary
I am almost the exact size as you, I'm a little taller. I use a Warbonnet Blackbird XLC with the standard suspension. Being as tall as you are 11 foot is a must for a comfortable night's sleep. When camping there would be no room for second person in the Blackbird.
While hanging out in the back yard I have a Vivere hammock hooked to tree and metal clothes line post. My wife and I lay in it every nice day with no problems. Here's a link to Amazon and it includes a stand. https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B004YJCP7O/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_EmXRzb2P4D9PV
I would discourage you from using 4x4s. Before I got my clothes line post I tried to use a 4x4 and it snapped off at the ground and hit me in the head. It hurt quite a bit and I felt like an asshole.
Lavalock is a brand of high temp gasket used for sealing BBQ grills. When people say you should lavalock it, they are saying to use the Lavalock (or similar) gasket around the lid to seal the gaps. The Lavalock brand seems to be the most recommended brand, but it is not the only one.
Here is one source of Lavalock: https://www.amazon.com/Lavalock-Nomex-gasket-smoker-stick/dp/B00JO00S04/
Haven't seen mention of Lavalock on the thread yet? It's a cost effective way to trap in smoke and increase efficiency: https://www.amazon.com/Lavalock-Nomex-gasket-smoker-stick/dp/B00JO00S04/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=lava+lock+for+smokers&qid=1623119001&sprefix=lava+l&sr=8-3
As others have said, a smoke tube makes a great addition and also allows for cold smoking.
Costco sized rolls of foil/butchers paper...You'll need it 😀
I have two of these and a big neoprene mat that matches the dimensions. Doesn't get any better IMO
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003YJPC2A/ref=cm\_sw\_r\_cp\_apa\_glt\_fabc\_D9MDJ18XKQHMF8MC9W9G?\_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Mat:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07P2N27WR/ref=cm\_sw\_r\_cp\_apa\_glt\_fabc\_DCHAEQVCJZG88719Y4N9?\_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Get a smoke tube! They’re like $15 on Amazon. You can fill with wood pellets and work pretty well. Get you a decent flavor. I use them in my pellet smoker for added flavor.
It is. I switched to cookinpellets all hickory and it made a huge difference. If you want to ramp it up even more, you can get one of these.
It sounds like you may have a thatch problem. You could try buying the Sun Joe dethatcher or paying a lawn service to dethatch or aerate your lawn.
Like all smokers in this price range, the walls are thinner and it leaks. It's a burner. Not as bad as others i've used in the past but I go thru fuel. It did help a bit using some bbq sealing tape. The firebox is no smaller then you would see on any normal Home Depot horizontal offset. Can hold normal size split logs no problem.
The only real difference between this smoker and your traditional 200-300$ horizontal offset is that it's vertical taking out the issue you would have with one side of your grill being hotter then the other and the path of the smoke touching your meat. High end horizontals fix it using dense plates to distribute the heat but smokers in this price range don't have that.
Also, a great feature of this smoker, it has a really nice water plate with access panel under the lowest shelf helping distribute heat evenly, keeping humidity up, and saving you in cases of accidental flair ups.
Controlling temps with the air intake on the fire box, and the lid on the smoke pipe is really really effective.
EDIT: A picture of mine from another perspective to give you an another idea of how big it is.
I am on the research phase for my first smoker as well. This electric one on Amazon is super well reviewed. I am curious what the folks here think.
Masterbuilt 20070910 30-Inch Black Electric Digital Smoker, Top Controller https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00104WRCY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_IaZFxb1FT7XY3
I have 2 6ft folding tables from Walmart and 1 4ft folding table from Amazon. I love the amazon one because it has different leg lengths, so if I want a taller bar style table, I can do that, or shorter, etc. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003YJPC2A/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1
If you're looking at tents, I recommend https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01BSLQSVO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
It has the side walls, sand bags, a carrying case and is super sturdy yet easily assembled. I get compliments on how nice it looks at every show I do.
As you do more research, you'll be tempted to till your lawn. Don't. Using a power rake and core aeration is a better option.
You can rent a power rake but it was cheap enough on Amazon to buy one for future use, so I went for that.
This is what I bought last year for $100. Sun Joe AJ801E 12 Amp 12.6"... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FEATL2I?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
SunJoe is a good brand. I had an issue with the first one I bought and they sent me a warranty replacement without a hassle.
Core aeration machines are too expensive to buy (couple thousand dollars), so renting or hiring someone to do it is the best option. The machines are big and heavy, so make sure you have room in your car before renting it.
When you buy battery powered tools for your lawn, consider the whole system the company sells. You want to find a brand of tools you'll buy everything from, so the tools can share batteries. Sometimes the battery and charger is half the price of the tool. If you already have a battery from a different tool, you can buy a version without the battery and save that money.
Look at GreenWorks line of lawn tools. They have a good range of products. Once you have a charger and battery, you can buy the other tools without that and save. Though, I like to have two batteries in case I run out of juice in the middle of a task.
Yeah he uses tons of seasoning and I wasn’t sure the first time I made them. If you don’t like fennel don’t do this recipe but I love it so it’s great. I actually bought the one size up grinder from him but only because I had a gift card from work. It’s amazing but I’d have never spent my own money on it. I saw the red wine advice from people and think I’ll try that next time. I’ll say all the sausage I’ve done from him has been amazing. And if you’re looking to smoke without buying an actual smoker I’d recommend buying a smoke tube off Amazon. I use one as an added smoke flavor in my traeger but I’ve done stuff on the grill with it too. They’re only $15 and work great! Link for the one I have below. If I can be of any help let me know! There’s definitely tons of people here that know more than me but if I can help I will.
LIZZQ Premium Pellet Smoker Tube... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06ZZRR7XD?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
I have the ironwood 650. I ended up getting lava lock(https://www.amazon.com/Lavalock-Nomex-gasket-smoker-stick/dp/B00JO00S04/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=lava+lock+for+smokers&qid=1624932074&sprefix=lava+l&sr=8-3) to better seal the lid and a smoke tube (also on amazon ~$20).
Both items have been a great addition. The smoke tube is great for either adding additional smoke to a cook or for use in cold smoking with the grill turned off. Lava lock really increased my grill efficiency and better traps the smoke. Best of luck!
Edit: a word
I use this for doing cheese on my kettle, just fill with some pellets light them up and smoke.
A-MAZE-N AMNPS Maze Pellet Smoker, Hot or Cold Smoking, 5 x 8 Inch https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007ROPJ1M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_DA5WXWN5YS4WR0BXNZ4P
Mr. smells got me this last year and this, along with a different gift, has earned him the title of Best Gift Giver. I don’t love the look of a standing hammock, but it’s so comfy and cozy and super easy to put together and take apart for winter. It’s the best. The color he got was out of stock for a bit, and I think a few may be now, but there are a ton of color options.
highly recommend ya get some LavaLock tape - https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B00JO00S04/ & also try GMGs pellets. I've tried 3 or 4 brands of pellets and always go back to GMGs pellets. much less saw dust/wasted pellets & seemingly more consistent temps.
My backyard was really bumpy and full of divots and thatch. I bought this dethatcher earlier this year and ran over my backyard a few times (in a criss cross pattern) with the scarifier blades. It pulled out all the thatch and knocked all the bumps down. I had it on the deepest setting which is 0.5" deep, but it took everything down to perfectly level bare dirt. I'm still working on reseeding (the dog tears up a good chunk of the grass), but it's starting to fill in nicely and I can tell the lawn is much more level and ankle friendly. I bought the dethatcher mostly for the thatch but was surprised at how well it worked for levelling out the lawn. I'm sure you could periodically run it on a shallower setting to slowly level out your lawn and not have to completely start over.
I’m not following, are you saying you aren’t doing it at all and it’s getting away from you because it hurts your back to do it?
Try something like this