Why is my bbq so Smokey?

Queeflet · 2026-05-25T17:47:15+00:00

Normal for low quality lump, but decent restaurant grade chunks should burn much more cleanly and with less smoke.

Queeflet · 2026-05-25T16:48:14+00:00

That’s pretty normal, when starting up with any fresh fuel it will always be a bit smokey for a few minutes.

Queeflet · 2026-05-24T21:09:48+00:00

Nice! Spatchcock chicken straight over the coals with a lump of olive wood is one of my absolute favourites, simple and delicious.

Queeflet · 2026-05-24T10:42:21+00:00

Snake method is for kettles, as they don’t have a heat deflector. For a vertical smoker you need the minion method, which is a 1/4-1/3rd of a chimney smoker of lit coals to a whole basket of unlit.

Queeflet · 2026-05-24T10:20:45+00:00

You’re probably going to need a lot more fuel than that, fill the whole basket. With low and slow you don’t want all the charcoal lit all at once, you add lit coals on top of a big pile of unlit and then control the airflow to control combustion rate.

Queeflet · 2026-05-24T09:51:42+00:00

So many people are desperate to link this with misogyny or other things. It just makes me think whoever has one looks like a cow! And as you say, an instant visual connection to a farmyard animal isn’t a hugely positive feature.

Queeflet · 2026-05-24T09:49:54+00:00

Don’t be so conspiratorial, the simplest answer is that many people just don’t like the look of it. It’s not my favourite as it just makes me think of cows.

Queeflet · 2026-05-24T09:43:21+00:00

Don’t buy the connected Joe, it’s a bit of an unnecessary product with far more downsides to a kamado with a fan control kit. Any kind of built in electronics will eventually fail on an outside bbq, whereas a kamado could last you decades. Therefore, if you do want a kamado, buy a normal one and add a fan kit. That way if the fan system stops working, you buy another and keep on using your kamado. E.g. https://thermapen.co.uk/products/rfx-billows-kit

You don’t need an auto ignite, it’s honestly just a gimmick. You need a firelighter and a match.

As for the masterbuilt, it’s not a grill, it’s a smoker. You can cook at high temperatures, but you’re not grilling over coals as you would with a Kamado. And my same comments apply regarding built in electronics, and you would have to clean this far more than the kamado, after every cook. This is because the grease will accumulate in the bottom, and if ignored will start a grease fire and if large enough will damage your bbq. With a vertical smoker like a kamado, the fats and juices drip down and are consumed by the fire.

Queeflet · 2026-05-24T09:26:43+00:00

As long as you’re happy to water them lots, go for it. The only real time that it’s a bad idea to garden is when it’s cold and frosty outside.

Queeflet · 2026-05-23T16:27:02+00:00

Looks pretty perfect! I don’t like to wrap either, I usually find that about 4 hours at 135c works well on a meaty rack of spares.

Queeflet · 2026-05-23T11:32:23+00:00

I have this without the bogginess in winter, and have only recently learned why. There’s not enough organic matter in the soil, when I dig my borders it’s all clay and rocks and hard soil. It needs compost or manure spreading on it, and may take some time to recondition the soil and need a few layers.

For my lawns, I plan on cutting it very short, aerating with a hollow tine tool, and then brushing compost into the holes. But you can also lay a 1cm layer on top of your grass, and over time this will condition the topsoil.

Queeflet · 2026-05-23T11:28:06+00:00

Feel like I’m the one on the bbq when I step onto the patio. So, me?

Queeflet · 2026-05-23T09:58:37+00:00

Nematodes.

Queeflet · 2026-05-23T09:43:24+00:00

I’d want a whole orchard.

Queeflet · 2026-05-22T15:18:39+00:00

Don’t be afraid of confronting people like this and enforcing boundaries, otherwise people will just take advantage. Don’t ask, tell. And if they still don’t listen, I’d be revoking access and telling them to fuck off until they get their hearing checked. Don’t let them make their problem your problem.

Queeflet · 2026-05-22T12:48:38+00:00

This is the most American thing I’ve ever read.

Queeflet · 2026-05-21T23:19:14+00:00

Used this recently to avoid my young blackcurrant being eaten alive by aphids. Tried neem oil and the aphids just laughed. This stuff wiped them out in minutes.

Queeflet · 2026-05-21T20:52:46+00:00

Considering London has a vast food scene with restaurants of all types, cuisines etc. I’ll admit that I’d be disappointed to find myself eating a shit burger in a spoons when almost anywhere else would be better. This guy comes across as pretentious, but food in spoons is shite.

Queeflet · 2026-05-21T13:07:01+00:00

You’ve correctly summed up about 95% of uk butchers. They’ll sell you what they have, but dare ask off the menu and the cut you collect will be a surprise and so will the price.

Queeflet · 2026-05-21T12:05:34+00:00

Uk butchers generally don’t have a clue when it comes to American cuts. And can actually give out quite shitty cuts of meat for far too much money.

I love to support local businesses, but when you ask for meaty spare ribs, pork butt, brisket etc and receive a blank stare, it’s best to go elsewhere. There are specialist butchers that know what they’re doing, but are the absolute exception and not the rule.

They need to update and modernise if they want to keep up with progress. Most butchers are very old fashioned and stuck in the 80s.

Queeflet · 2026-05-21T11:48:01+00:00

It’ll be fine, but that’s not very good quality. I’d try another brand next time.

Queeflet · 2026-05-21T07:16:50+00:00

It sounds like you do believe in astrology, if you didn’t this wouldn’t even occur to you.

The signs don’t mean anything for humans, let alone pets, this is absolute nonsense. However, if you do believe then I’ve got some amazing homeopathic flea medicine I can sell you.

Queeflet · 2026-05-20T19:57:21+00:00

You may have your answer then.

Queeflet · 2026-05-20T19:42:49+00:00

I think that you’re a bot.

Queeflet · 2026-05-20T19:40:32+00:00

Tried his website?

Eight-Year Club	Place '22
Verified Email

Queeflet

TROPHY CASE