Hutch's Mack build

[Dirtytires]

Just an observation from my experience....

Wood splits burn better when added in multiples. Where adding 1 split to a fire will burn, adding 2 splits with a few inches between them will catch much faster and burn more cleanly. I also find this breaks down into coals faster.

So, might I suggest 2 small splits instead of just adding 1 normal size to keep the fire small. I never use a split that is larger in diameter than a beer can.

[hutcho]

Good call. Unfortunately mine are split about twice that size. Looks like I'm gonna need to do some splitting before I get to carried away. Good thing I actually enjoy it lol!

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[Dirtytires]

Welcome to the club.

I buy my wood Cut and split but always need to swing the splitter a few times to break them down even smaller.

[hutcho]

Back on nights for 4 days but when this period of hell is over I have 8 days off. First thing I'm gonna do is go buy a mail(can't believe I have made it this far in life without one). Then I intend to fire this thing up again and hopefully start getting a feel for holding a proper temp. If all goes remotely close to good then I intend to be smoking something for most of those 8days off while I work on other projects that have been neglected during the construction of this thing lol!

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[Dirtytires]

When my wife starts to tell me I’m neglecting things I just point out my priority list is different from hers....

[ajfoxy]

When my wife starts to tell me I’m neglecting things I just point out my priority list is different from hers....

Geez DT you like to live in the edge don't you? That could get you a whole bunch of hot lip and cold shoulder.

[hutcho]

When my wife starts to tell me I’m neglecting things I just point out my priority list is different from hers....

I'm very fortunate, my wife hasn't complained this whole project, even when it's over budget. Maybe I should be sleeping with 1 eye open just in case

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[Chromeski]

When my wife starts to tell me I’m neglecting things I just point out my priority list is different from hers....

I'm very fortunate, my wife hasn't complained this whole project, even when it's over budget. Maybe I should be sleeping with 1 eye open just in case

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She has something in the works... send pics of her new car next week

[hutcho]

Got to FINALLY cook with it tonight. Overall went pretty well. Was busy working on a car and lost my coals though, quickly added another chimney of wood and it was good to go again. Between that and starting late it was taking too long so we finished up inside. Turned out pretty good. First time trying lollipops and it's definitely not worth the effort lol!

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[ajfoxy]

So long as it tasted OK, that's what counts. You'll know for next time... armchair, beer fridge and TV right next to the unit so you can watch it.

Alternatively you could hook up a digital thermo that alerted you via phone or whatever when the temp was going south.

[hutcho]

I had my tablet and 4 probes on my new igrill. It was on the car right next to me. Just wasn't focused on the smoker like I should have been. No worries, it came out good. I'm starting to get a feel for this smoker. With my wood being damp I need to toss a log on about every 30 minutes just so they have time to dry out some. I'm sure it will be get easier with more use and dryer wood...

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[Dirtytires]

Common misconception is you can sit back and relax after the meat goes on. I have found, like you, that it is sometimes difficult to focus on another project while smoking.

Glad it turned out ok.

[hutcho]

Common misconception is you can sit back and relax after the meat goes on. I have found, like you, that it is sometimes difficult to focus on another project while smoking.

Glad it turned out ok.

Yep definitely gonna have to adjust how I do things a bit. My Bradley I had dual elements and a PID. I could set it and go to bed and have 0 worries. Been a long time since I've smoked on a stick burner lol

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[dhafling]

Thanks for the post and picks. About to attempt to build my Mack. Question for you... do you wish you had raised the floor of the firebox to be even with the lip for easy ash clean out?