So I was under the mistaken impression along with such benefits as reduced car insurance and being able to rent cars in America, turning 25 meant that you were no longer eligible for the draft. Turns out that I was wrong—I could still wind up in Tehran or where-have-you. Whatever—birthdays aren't about war! Today is about football and the ridiculously great charcoal smoker that Susan got me.
Thanks to those of you who braved the aftermath of yesterday's absurd snowstorm last night to come by for the party. Stop by next weekend for smoked ribs! And be sure to ask Catherine about her new partisan bathroom policy—it's going to change everything.
Posted by Kriston at January 23, 2005 7:14 PMWhat's a smoker?
Posted by: Beth at January 23, 2005 8:01 PMIt's a type of grill. They come in different forms, but mine is a vertically arranged steel locker, basically. You slow-cook the meat with heat from charcoal and/or wood chips. Makes for the smokiest flavor of barbecue and takes an elementary school education to operate.
Posted by: Kriston at January 23, 2005 9:08 PMHappy Birthday to you, Special K.
As for next weekend, I'm totally there (my birthday, 100000 in binary, is Thursday). Now hook me up with a ticket to DC, round-trip if possible. I'll bring you some Elgin sausage for the smoker, I swear.
Posted by: norbizness at January 23, 2005 11:46 PMthe ridiculously great charcoal smoker that Susan got me
Very cool. What model? I want one, bad, and may need to splurge in a couple of months. I've been held back by a lack of funds, but that's not as big an issue now that I have a job. Well, I've also been held back by a sense of embarassment over the thought of smoking pork butt on a Saturday afternoon while living next door to an Orthodox synagogue. But I can get over that.
Posted by: Miguel Sánchez at January 24, 2005 11:01 AMHappy birthday! I just read that "they" are thinking about raising the SSS Registration age to 32, so you're pretty much locked in for the rest of Bush's term. After that you need not worry, as the military will be in such a shambles that it will take years before we can declare a major war again.
Posted by: Rob W at January 24, 2005 11:16 AMI have a Brinkmann charcoal/wood smoker. As far as I can tell, smokers range anywhere from $100 or so to over a grand (those come with built-in trailer hitches, believe it or not). You want to go with charcoal (obviously) and ensure that it's wood friendly; not all are, I think. The ones that use water trays keep the meat nice and moist; I'm not sure what the advantage is to having one that doesn't include water trays. Find a cheapy and splurge now!
Posted by: Kriston at January 24, 2005 11:55 AMAs for the draft news . . . I'm crying into my brisket.
Posted by: Kriston at January 24, 2005 11:58 AMAll bow down before the might that is the offset firebox pit smoker. There truly is none finer. Not that there's anything wrong with vertical pit smokers. I'm not a big fan of water pans; you get a more intense flavor, IMHO, without them. What they do offer, particularly in vertical smokers, is reduced flare-ups and increased thermal mass for temperature control. Depending on the size of your smoker, you may be able to bank the fire opposite the side the meat's on and get away with a simple drip tray. You could also add firebricks (or even regular bricks) for increased thermal mass and heat retention. Remember, small fire and hold your temps between 200 and 212. Shoot me a line and I'll send you a recipe for our dry rub.
Posted by: brendan at January 24, 2005 3:18 PMDude. Can't even remember now how old I was before my Secret Service registration (thanks, Jimmy Carter!) expired. 27, I think. The memory fades.
The reduced auto insurance rates rock, though.
Happy Birthday!
Posted by: Charles Kuffner at January 26, 2005 8:51 PMurls33.txt;15;20
Posted by: juViGDstYPAFCy at October 11, 2008 7:29 AM