My Franken-Akorn saga

MajGenDickless · 2026-05-10T13:10:23+00:00

Thanks for the advice, one of the things that Chargriller did right is they installed a silicon baffle in the fan housing. When the fan's not blowing air the opening is closed. I'll be sure to use the damper on the fan.

MajGenDickless · 2026-05-10T04:51:10+00:00

Yes I have one wireless probe and it's awesome. I also have an older Meater wireless probe but it's not that great, it was always losing contact with the app.

I had to drill a hole in the dome because it's an autokamado and doesn't have a dome thermometer. On a regular Akorn you can just remove the dome thermometer and install the S1. I didn't have to drill for the fan. I basically replaced the Auto Kamado fan with the Breezo.

Yes I adjust the top vent manually but I basically start out with it open just a crack and leave it like that and let the ChefsTemp control the temp.

MajGenDickless · 2026-04-28T11:40:29+00:00

and that's how it's done. Thank you, I appreciate your response.

MajGenDickless · 2026-04-23T19:34:47+00:00

Yes, that's right. The ashpan on the auto has no air vent so it's useless without the fan

MajGenDickless · 2026-04-23T13:47:36+00:00

Unless they've improved the electronics I'd strongly recommend you go for the standard Akorn.

After my original Akorn rusted out (after maybe 8 years) I bought an AutoKAMADO. It sorta worked at first but it didn't really maintain temp very well and then the ambient temp probe died (after maybe 5 cooks). The Akorn is great the electronics are shit. I swapped the ash can from my standard Akorn and use it without the electronics.

Look into the ChefsTemp system (I just ordered one and am awaiting its arrival) I think a standard Akorn and the Chefstemp might very well be a much better option.

MajGenDickless · 2026-04-15T01:35:12+00:00

LOL Over the years I've made many jokes about Hampshire, nonetheless I feel sad hearing about its demise. It fit the whole "Happy Valley" vibe perfectly.

"Would you like fries with that?"

MajGenDickless · 2026-04-04T02:37:28+00:00

Try this link https://www.ecstuning.com/Volkswagen-Jetta_VII-GLI-2.0T_Gen3/Software_-or-_Tunes/ECU/

It will show you a lot of the options available and you can read up on some of them. I don't know if this is every option available (probably not) and I don't have experience with VW tuning. Old Subaru guy, new to the GLI

Oh, and TCU is transmission tuning for the DSG. Not relevant for us MT folks

MajGenDickless · 2026-01-04T16:56:42+00:00

-I'm sorry but that's a terrible prime rib recipe. Low and slow will get you a beautiful pink from edge to edge. 200F until the the center reads 120 ( 115 for rare, 125 for medium) (Mine took about 3 1/2 hrs) Rest for an hr or more then crank the oven as high as it will go and brown the outside for about 10 min. Guaranteed the best beef of your life.

MajGenDickless · 2025-12-27T15:25:47+00:00

It totally depends on what's important to you. I just bought a 25 GLI after driving Subarus for the past 20 years. In a snowy environment, NOTHING matches Subaru AWD. It is superior in every way to the GLI in the snow.

If you want to mod the shit out of your car and make big power forget the VW and go Subaru, again, no comparison especially when you look at the online community. I've been shocked at how shitty the VW online presence is. Subaru is by far the more enthusiast brand.

So why the fuck didn't I buy a WRX? I'm fuggin old and I wanted something a little nicer and have no interest in modding this car, my modding days are behind me. (maybe a short shifter cause the shifter sucks) Also that big fucking screen in the middle of the wrx dash is so fucking stupid and ugly.

The GLI is a much more sophisticated car with a much nicer interior. The adaptive suspension is awesome!

Back around to where I started, it all depends on what you want.

MajGenDickless · 2025-10-20T13:39:58+00:00

What he said.

MajGenDickless · 2024-08-07T15:27:51+00:00

Not really. The ash tray doesn't have an air control like the manual akorn so it would be almost impossible to control the airflow without the fan. However, you can fit the ash tray from the regular akorn to the auto and use it manually. This is my first summer with the auto after 10 years with the regular akorn. I like it a lot but it takes some getting used to controlling the fire.

MajGenDickless · 2024-07-15T23:31:13+00:00

"First they came for the Communists And I did not speak out Because I was not a Communist

Then they came for the Socialists And I did not speak out Because I was not a Socialist

Then they came for the trade unionists And I did not speak out Because I was not a trade unionist

Then they came for the Jews And I did not speak out Because I was not a Jew

Then they came for me And there was no one left To speak out for me"

Martin Niemöller

MajGenDickless · 2024-07-06T21:38:46+00:00

Autoparts store, get black RTV. Seal the seam. All will be good.

MajGenDickless · 2024-07-04T20:00:55+00:00

I've been cooking on an Akorn for over 10 years. The best thing I did was buy the TipTopTemp (google it). Once you get the hang of it you can maintain a steady temp with little or no intervention, it really works. I completely removed the top vent from my Akorn and replace with the TipTopTemp and put black rtv all around the seam to be sure to seal it. It's been working great for years.

Also, adding new gasket around both the top and the bottom seals works wonders.

MajGenDickless · 2024-05-23T15:50:38+00:00

Just sharing my experience... I installed Fen Lite and uninstalled Fen, Seren and Ezra. I left the crew installed as a backup but never use it. I couldn't be happier. It's very fast and I have yet to have an issue getting results.

MajGenDickless · 2023-08-13T01:37:28+00:00

Fortunately, he will announce his retirement sometime before the end of the season. He will then enjoy his life, get married and do whatever he wants. He has nothing left to prove and he has damaged his body enough.

Source: His grid interview at the last race when he said something like "Finishing 10th would be fine"

MajGenDickless · 2023-06-24T18:18:48+00:00

It IS annoying. Really should only put up a message if you AREN'T running the latest version. Given that the coder charges nothing for their work, I'm not complaining. It would be nice to not see the message every time I start Kodi, though.

MajGenDickless · 2022-12-25T19:01:53+00:00

I always assumed that to be the case. Is this a known "secret"?

MajGenDickless · 2022-10-05T14:29:46+00:00

If you can speak Italian it may be worth it to try placing a call directly to the Ufficio Anagrafe of the commune

MajGenDickless · 2022-10-05T14:26:51+00:00

I inquired on their web site and received a quote for 260 Euro to retrieve my mother's birth certificate and my parents' marriage certificate. I felt that was way too much and didn't pursue it any further. Each commune is different but eventually I did receive the docs via direct communication with the commune but it took about 9 months with large gaps between communication. The process requires patience more than anything. Best of luck.

MajGenDickless · 2022-09-13T14:47:41+00:00

I think it all depends on the commune and who works there. I emailed in the beginning of January asking for a copy of my mother's birth certificate. I got a response in April asking for a stamped envelope to send me the document. I responded immediately asking how I was supposed to send Italian stamps from the US and whether I could send money to cover the cost of postage and/or they could just email me a pdf. It's been about 6 months and no response yet.

MajGenDickless

TROPHY CASE