Sarah Duffy

Upgraded vac pack machine. Cheap was was horrific and has been sent back! £20 more and I got a pretty good one I think! I’ll give it a couple months and then review. got a tank for £14, small one but suffice for now. It’s been used at least once per day since it arrived. Absolute life saver! I was debating whether to get a second on; One for veg and one for meats. I read that one way to do it (if you have time) if Cook your veg, reduce temp for meat but leave veg in. Anyone tried this? Any adverse effects? love the balls but a bit like playing ker plunk. Probably over filled tank rice pudding in for now!

I will have a bash at some point! Steak Friday. Can not wait for that. Love my steak.

Wand finally arrived today and put straight to use. It’s the thing of dreams for more interesting tea time around 3 school run/pick ups. Also means I can cook different meats! We love salmon but one doesn’t so I often end up cooking twice. Something usually ends up over cooked as kids.. you know. Was too hungry to take pics. Veg was ok, needed a bit longer maybe. Chicken to die for. Flavour throughout and cooked just perfectly. Browned off in a pan. Alllll the yes! I now need a second one so can set different heats. This will be used almost daily, without doubt.

I tried but couldn’t get it to separate! I guess the heat expanded the steel.

Yes, but I prefer it well done. Steak I like medium rare but I generally like a well done joint (for the cheaper cut) and medium for the more tender cuts

Ah nice! And yes, probably easier really, they don’t look huge and the kids utilise a surprising amount of space!

? see how pulled pork goes over 8 hours. ‘Should’ be good ... I sort of didn’t doubt myself but at the same time I was concerned by my arrogance..

Which bit? ‘Rice pudding man’ or the 5am wake up

Living room and bivvy? We can go in one room if needed. Can’t promise no 5am wake up tho ? Isaac is happy to share with the ‘rice pudding man’ tho

Think it was based more on cabin count, 3-5? We’re one for starters.

Is there any thoughts on if this is going ahead yet?

Nice heat source for a few beers outside!

Thanks! Figured I should be ok... pretty used to oil drum style and getting the heat how I want but not maintaining to this level of accuracy! Hopefully it wasn’t beginners luck ?

Pretty good first attempt I think! We’ve been going 7 hours now, just popped some beef cubes in that were brought by friends. See what happens with those. small beef joint, bbq chicken and souvlaki chicken (finished on grill for a few mins to brown off as we were starving) and some sausages. Almost all of it has been eaten and no one has vommitted yet. Sausages especially amazing! Much nicer than grilled. Had a bit of wind, rain, sun but seemed to take little effort to keep the temp in range. Before and after pics! Thank you all for your help so far!

Left over stove rope stuff. Two layers and absolutely fine after 5-6 hours. No burns yet!

But of left over stove rope on the vent handles seems to suffice! Put two layers on each and only slightly warm to the touch. Smoker has been going for over 5 hours now.

Yes, tiny joint I know! Didn’t want to get too ahead of myself. Will step it up next time

Not too shabby for first attempt! Bit longer wouldn’t have hurt for the bark tho.

Yep. Certainly no problems anyway. Temp management is fine, meat is cooking fine, smells good. Almost seems too easy?? I’ve probably made some epic mistake somewhere ?

It’ll be steam / condensation I imagine. Cooking fine etc. Just chucked some sausages in

Water pan is correct position, above coals, below bottom grill. It’s settled now. Probably was the initial heat up.

But thinning ahead to smoking in high winds. I imagine sealing up the vents a little will give me much better control

Temp seems fine. Adjusting vents a little here and there but steady away. But of wind and I’ve not put up a wind break yet. Should be fine I think!

Thanks. I thought about doing it before hand. Should have really. Not causing a problem for now but will get some ordered I think. Give them a good clean up and apply!

Thanks. Thought I may have been over thinking! I filled about 3/4 but when I put the meat in, I topped up as had evaporated quite a bit