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Chat with my uncle at a family cookout got me thinking

He mentioned how pitmasters 20 years ago just used wood and time, no fancy gadgets or brine injections, and laughed at my probe thermometer. Made me wonder if all this gear is actually making my BBQ better or just more complicated, anyone else feel that way?
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2 Comments
robinson.quinn
Right, because a dry, overdone brisket from 20 years ago was definitely better than what I can pull off with my fancy leave-in thermometer. "No fancy gadgets" sounds like a great way to end up with boot leather and a smoke ring so thin you need a magnifying glass to find it. My probe thermometer isn't a crutch, it's the difference between "hey, this is pretty good" and "well, I can still chew it." But sure, Uncle Larry, I'll trade my probes for your "wood and time" magic, right after you figure out how to start a fire in that rusted-out kettle.
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christopher67
christopher674d agoMost Upvoted
Your thermometer won't fix bad fire management. Teach a man to temp his coals.
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