New bandera owner, ship date is 7/30, what should I do know?

[cypsplace]

:shock:

[The_Kapn]

Relax! Tip a cold one! "Memorize" Bandera 101! OK, at least skim it!
Start reviewing all the posts you can on the forum, especially "Q Talk".
Go to "Cattle Call" and introduce yourself!
IMHO--First priorty on the Beast is to raise the firegrate for air circulation. You can't even season the Beast properly without raising the firegrate 3-4", IMHO.
Get a baffle of some sort in place to redirect the heat from the firebox side to the rest of the smoke chamber.
Otherwize- it is all technique!
Please edit your "signature" to include your Smoker type-helps us answer your questions (if you don't mind). Plus, you don't have to say "I have a ......" everytime ya ask a question!
You will find every experience level here from new guys (like me) to some Nationally ranked competetors (who shall remain nameless). :lol:
Lots of information, a little tiny bit of BS and just the greatest guys/gals, friends, and folks you will ever want to meet!
ENJOY the Beast and the Forum.
TIM

[BBQchef33]

yeah, what he said..

Firegrate!! #1 priority.. make it before the beast arrives. Direction on how to make it are in Bandera 101 document. I am not sure the real dimensions are in the document. If theyaren't jsut ask and one of us will go out and measure.

[kcquer]

cyp, Welcome. Download the 101 document. Start reading there, you'll learn a bit about a couple mods you'll probably want to undertake before you start cooking. Near the top of the Q-talk forum index there is a "sticky" post called Roadmap. There are links to some good basic information threads on fire control. Do some searches (or just look through the pages of the Q-talk index) for stuff you're interested in cooking. You'll find we have some basic techniques for ribs, butt, chicken and brisket, and from these basics you develop your own style.

Stop by the Cattle Call forum and introduce yourself. If you have questions, fire away, that's what we're here for.

[Heath]

If theyaren't jsut ask and one of us will go out and measure.

Again, I can't get away from it. Phil, you braggin? Or more like draggin?

I'm going back to the garage. :lol:

[DarkRubiTJ]

I'd go measure but I don't fold it in half for anyone :P

[Heath]

Cyp, basically you do what were doing now. Sit back take a deep breath, and breathe. It'll get here soon enough. You could start by scanning through the files section and get some recipe ideas. Read back through the Q-Talk section for some more ideas. Keep an eye on the sales papers and figure out where your going to get your meat. And just sit back and enjoy the site. You'll pick up enough pretty soon.

And Dark, or Rubit? We won't make you fold the ruler in half, we know it can be embarrasing. HeHe