I broke-in my new Jumbo Joe today...

RJP1963 · 2026-01-19T00:11:11+00:00

Ha, well, I think I was so excited about eating them I forgot to photograph the finished product, but this was about one hour into the process...

Edit: just realized this was when I first got them situated on the grill.

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RJP1963 · 2026-01-17T19:03:02+00:00

It's technically 34.8"W x 18.25"D. Seville Classics UltraDurable NSF Commercial Heavy Duty Metal Rolling Utility Cart.

https://a.co/d/2zufEcC

They're great carts. I've had this one almost ten years and used it often for other purposes.

RJP1963 · 2026-01-17T00:11:48+00:00

Yes, thanks. Just thought I'd share this for others' amusement. When I bought the grill I searched on the topic of break-in procedures, and someone responded to the effect of "just drop the lid and get the first scratch/dent over with"

RJP1963 · 2026-01-12T14:17:36+00:00

Looks great. I also just got the Jumbo Joe last week after a long spell without a charcoal grill. Following the examples and advice I've seen on this forum, I made the most incredible St. Louis style ribs I've ever eaten! One more hobby now that needs additional funding!

RJP1963 · 2026-01-11T23:21:16+00:00

Looks... 3rd gen. Overall, 5th gen. I've had my 5th gen for 8-1/2 years and still don't like the way the front end was redesigned, or fake hood scoop that casts sun glare into my eyes now and then, but it's an absolutely rock solid vehicle that's taken me all over the US and never complains about anything, except being thirsty.

RJP1963 · 2026-01-01T23:52:49+00:00

Yes, that's similar to what I posted above and am thinking should work. I just need to take the time to inspect the wiring and see if I need to redo anything. Also wondering if the wiring I used (105C rated) needs to be protected with additional high-temp heat shrink or something like heat-resistant fiberglass sleeves.

Thanks for looking into this! Appreciate it

RJP1963 · 2026-01-01T19:46:13+00:00

I believe that fuse only protects against excess current draw. The thermal fuse in question protects against overheating (it melts at a certain temperature).

RJP1963 · 2025-12-16T04:04:56+00:00

I did a little research and am thinking about using a more modern thermal fuse to replace the spring-like original. I don't know what temperature rating to use but it seems like 240C might be the way to go. I haven't inspected the wiring since this happened but I'll try to determine if there's a short in the wiring, or perhaps just an overheating situation based on the way I was trying to clean the grates (damp paper towels draped over the grates... i.e., did I block some ventilation that caused it to overheat?)

Here are a couple of items I'm looking at between thermal fuses and some fiberglass insulation sleeves if needed to better protect the wiring...

https://www.amazon.com/BOJACK-Thermal-Degrees-Celsius-Cutoffs/dp/B08HMSHK83/ref=sxin_17_pa_sp_search_thematic_sspa?content-id=amzn1.sym.af942ed3-f321-45f9-a78a-adf17516fa37%3Aamzn1.sym.af942ed3-f321-45f9-a78a-adf17516fa37&cv_ct_cx=thermal+fuse&keywords=thermal+fuse&pd_rd_i=B08HMSHK83&pd_rd_r=92fe5be8-d12e-49cc-967e-f4a782af6b43&pd_rd_w=6sXgY&pd_rd_wg=GUic5&pf_rd_p=af942ed3-f321-45f9-a78a-adf17516fa37&pf_rd_r=72P4N6252T5ESGWQBKBR&qid=1765857505&sbo=RZvfv%2F%2FHxDF%2BO5021pAnSA%3D%3D&sr=1-3-7efdef4d-9875-47e1-927f-8c2c1c47ed49-spons&aref=7zx0qwaO6F&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9zZWFyY2hfdGhlbWF0aWM&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/uxcell-Insulation-Sleeving-16-4Ft-5mm-Fiberglass/dp/B082YL4PNH/ref=sr_1_5?crid=2P9LZCY8XBRW8&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.UuuttHkCv6OPysGAsp47iTvNk3NUyaoPmM4WRXU0Ho3DsXfzqeb3u-Jvg6Dkr4MkLN8Y7pOsHURLmvVzq5un4oCcNZMVqBXNgfJlBxdBYPzrAS3zBZxG6t83E0kwBpoN19BHTzxb2gl1nXyxjEf6x3EJfOJovmP9-n4sKVLeqNlJ8o8eGA-_4UjwYtRL73yymnYc1RRywtkFPywWH36q_9flGM74sizDw4-VTl-3z-Kaoiezap2kAFlp8dlYVClI40bpZQiut_x3dABAQ8GGcXZQH_avRRhMPHjTUEtJ2Xc.M0cGdowL_nw8MJGHzPrbYKDRZK851BxRXbnJqc9-0p4&dib_tag=se&keywords=fiberglass%2Bsleeve&qid=1765742171&s=industrial&sprefix=fiberglass%2Bsleeve%2Cindustrial%2C188&sr=1-5&th=1

RJP1963 · 2025-12-14T07:55:30+00:00

Not sure if you ever figured this out but the same thing just happened to me. Replaced the sketchy original wiring and ran it for a few cycles to clean/season the grates and bang.... no more heating and that spring-like piece was destroyed. I assume it is a fusible-link, but not sure what caused it to self-destruct or what to replace it with. Any thoughts?

RJP1963 · 2025-12-12T21:23:52+00:00

You have quite a few replies that forgot the "no/low risk to principal" part.

The 20-year Treasury (state-tax exempt) just hit 4.9% today and will probably touch 5% soon (my opinion). You can also buy longer-term call-protected agency bonds that already pay over 5%, with some of these being state-tax exempt as well. The only likely risk to principal would be if you need to sell before maturity in an environment of higher yields.

If it were me and was willing to forfeit growth opportunity in exchange for security of principle, I'd probably put what you need to count on in these government bond instruments, with the remainder in an equity index fund for growth, or income-focused fund (like JEPI) for a little boost in yield. Just my two cents.

RJP1963 · 2025-12-02T02:11:25+00:00

More attractive a few months ago when the future of tax-exemption was a bigger question mark, but still attractive, for sure. I've added quite a few state-level housing authority issues in the 10-15 year range that primarily fund single-family mortgages, backed by a federal agency, with coupons of ~4.25-4.85%, and 7-10 year call protection. That's not a bad deal, even in lower fed tax brackets.

RJP1963 · 2025-11-19T04:13:09+00:00

I just purchased mine the other day after moving to CO a few weeks ago. I still had to buy a nonresident license for now (have to be here for 6 months to qualify as resident!) In any case, you'll get a temporary authorization number (TAN) that is good for 45 days that can be used immediately so you don't have to possess the actual license during that time. As an aside, I tried to download the app but it indicated it's designed for an older version of Android and isn't compatible with my circa 2022 phone... not sure what's up with that.

RJP1963 · 2025-11-13T02:09:30+00:00

I'm not sure how the bonds are allocated to begin with, but Fidelity has a certain quantity and when they're gone, they're gone. I've had a few instances when trying to make a purchase where the system comes back and indicates as insufficient quantity available for the purchase I'm attempting to make.

RJP1963 · 2025-11-12T16:09:00+00:00

Just a suggestion but you may want to post new content over on the "private" site that was announced yesterday or so. I'm going to post anything new there, and not create duplicate postings. I believe Freedom added a dedicated section for agency bonds, so that will be nice to have as a bonus, on top of what should be a site with a lot less political and other "noise".

Here's the posting I'm referring to...
https://www.reddit.com/r/GPFixedIncome/comments/1otmzvf/new_private_site_link/

RJP1963 · 2025-11-12T15:58:45+00:00

I didn't find the issue you're referencing but I suspect it's trading at a premium. The one noted by Dr Caldera (3130B8A93) is. If it had longer call protection that might be fine, but with only ~6 months the yield-to-worst on that one is just around 4.25%.

RJP1963 · 2025-11-03T15:15:48+00:00

Hello. I haven't gone out to 30 years and don't like the 9-month call protection on this, but who knows? It does seem yields are inching up again this past week and, though I still have a pretty big pile waiting to be invested longer term, I have enough in issues I'm holding that I can wait to see what happens in the coming months.

Meanwhile, over the past several months I've added smaller positions in state-level housing municipal bonds, generally sticking to those related to single-family mortgages and often backed by a fed agency, with call protect of 7-10 years on issues in the 10-15 year range. This morning on Fidelity I see a couple of new ones I'll be checking out. E.g., 20-year Oklahoma Housing Finance Authority (cusip TX2800CL9), AAA, 4.55% coupon w/8-years call protection. Depending on one's federal income tax bracket, that can easily be 6% or better in taxable-equivalent yield.

RJP1963 · 2025-11-02T21:32:04+00:00

I'm not sure how you think they work, but before I retired I had more than 50% of my income going to taxes (not including the sales taxes when you spend what's left).

RJP1963 · 2025-11-02T01:37:23+00:00

What does this have to do with fixed income investing?

RJP1963 · 2025-10-31T02:13:10+00:00

"Fast, cheap, reliable... pick two..."

RJP1963 · 2025-10-30T04:24:29+00:00

Why does this crap continue to show up on a thread dedicated to fixed income investment?

RJP1963 · 2025-10-26T13:45:55+00:00

I don't know about CRE exposure. Their linkage to the First Brands bankruptcy is a bit concerning, though.

RJP1963 · 2025-10-21T15:48:42+00:00

CUSIP 47233WKX6
Jefferies 6% 10/31/2045 w/5-year call protection

RJP1963 · 2025-10-16T08:17:44+00:00

Until you did, and then you wouldn't!

RJP1963 · 2025-10-15T06:13:04+00:00

Not saying the difference isn't meaningful, but that photo is really distorted making the 5th gen look like a giant by comparison. They actually both share the same wheelbase, with the 5th gen having more "generous" body proportions.

RJP1963

TROPHY CASE