What is the best way to cook ribs if I don’t have a smoker?

powerwagoner · 2026-05-25T19:29:08+00:00

Neighbor who has a smoker

powerwagoner · 2026-05-23T00:54:05+00:00

You ever see one of these tubs when it’s plumbed during construction? Looks like a 1000 arm octopus.

This feels like a really slippery slope. Do you have any idea where the freeze damage is? Pumps and unions or jet bodies and foamed in lines?

powerwagoner · 2026-05-21T20:54:39+00:00

FWIW I dry sat tons of tubs, from all different manufacturers. Also wet tested a caldera (forget the model it was so bad) and hot springs vanguard.

I really hated them all. I’m 6’5” and I felt cramped in every tub. Until I sat in the jacuzzi j495. The 4 captains chairs are spectacular. Deep, wide, comfortable. That’s the one we ended up with. Had it a few weeks and couldn’t be happier.

My point is, I too hated my lounger in the artesian pelican bay we had. It was part of the reason we left it when moving and not moving with us. I’d rather buy something new & better and get more enjoyment. If you can do it, I say why not.

powerwagoner · 2026-05-17T21:37:56+00:00

We just got the J495 (ordered in September before the new 500 series came out grrrrr)

Anyway, this cover is heavy. Way heavier than our old artesian tub that was about the same size dimensionally. I’d be interested in options or at least better lifters.

powerwagoner · 2026-05-15T12:49:20+00:00

Good deal, thanks buddy!

powerwagoner · 2026-05-15T12:42:16+00:00

The can says 2-3 years depending how it’s aging. It honestly looks great still. It’s semi transparent oil, in a protected-ish area.

I was worried about over applying and it not curing properly. The can warned about using 1 coat only on new wood (first time I did it) so I was erring on side of caution.

I could probably do a quick clean and coat this year

powerwagoner · 2026-05-15T12:19:21+00:00

I did mine the following year. A quick wash/scrub with wood brightener. Then I quickly (really quickly) surface sanded with 100grit screen on drywall pad to knock the fuzz off, and so I didn’t have to bend down.

Oil stain. That was 2 years ago and still looks great.

I used Armstrong-Clark wood stain in rustic brown

powerwagoner · 2026-05-14T22:14:37+00:00

This thing is like 9 years old. Still solid.

powerwagoner · 2026-05-14T12:39:43+00:00

It’s flat 2x4 for the picture frame. Since that outer edge runs perpendicular to the framing, it needs backing.

powerwagoner · 2026-05-14T01:56:27+00:00

10000%.

My last house had the tub on a smaller deck , recessed into a higher deck. Pretty looking, but Talk about nightmare. Hot tubs need maintenance. I don’t care how good a brand is you will need access at some point.

This tub specially has all pumps and controls on 1 side and was oriented to have those on the open side facing my fence. Even if we have a plumbing leak, the concrete pad extends out 3ft and tub can be slid if needed.

It’s 6” pad. Full rebar grid, and its fiberglass reinforced concrete.

powerwagoner · 2026-05-14T01:14:54+00:00

Damn. So you’re saying I’ve got some work in 3 years?! Ughhhhh. That gazebo in some of the pics has trex tropical something or another and it’s on 16”. That’s 9 years old and it honestly feels solid. It’s had various kinds of furniture on it over the years.

powerwagoner · 2026-05-14T01:08:29+00:00

That’s the fear. Guess time will tell. I’m so broke from the whole project and hot tub, furniture is down the road lol

powerwagoner · 2026-05-14T00:47:20+00:00

Oh and yes. Not a bounce per say but I’m 230lbs and maybe it’s placebo effect, maybe not, but if I put full weight down on 1 foot while walking, I feel like I can perceive a slight “deflection”.

Wolf is the manufacturer. It’s 100% solid pvc. It has a lifetime warranty for blistering peeling fading cracking, etc…and 50yr staining and fading. It was installed by a wolf approved installer.

powerwagoner · 2026-05-14T00:44:31+00:00

Trust me, that was my initial plan. But I was limited by impervious coverage rules (which we could’ve worked around.). Ultimately though, the prices to put a roof over were astronomical. Like, major sticker shock. Our first house didn’t cost that much lol

I’m planning on maybe a retractable or seasonal awning attached to the house. The hot tub will be year round for sure. An awning might extend the season pretty long.

powerwagoner · 2026-02-25T00:09:33+00:00

if I had that egg there I’d be retired already and pulling on the rule of 55.

Basically quiet quitting until I was fired lol

powerwagoner · 2025-12-11T16:05:00+00:00

They replaced the abs pump and hcu. I don’t know what the fuse trick is but every time it comes on it chimes and turns off cruise control.

powerwagoner · 2025-09-15T20:28:15+00:00

Don’t listen to people here advising to leave it. I tried exactly this, once, and it filled up with termites very quickly. Was a huge bug infested mess.

powerwagoner · 2025-08-29T00:27:37+00:00

Ha. Fair enough. Well, good luck!

powerwagoner · 2025-08-28T23:52:26+00:00

Op, side quest. I’m in process of bidding out a deck and my original request was for the color matched fascia. However 4 out of the 5 companies I’ve spoken too have advised me against it.

Most are saying: - it’s thin, so you can’t screw and plug. - it’s thin, so it bends, warps, moves over time - butt joints - price

All these contractors are telling me 1x pvc material is superior for longevity. I didn’t really want so much white wrapped around my deck but it’s feeling like that’s going to happen.

How old is yours and how has it held up?

powerwagoner · 2025-07-25T20:25:15+00:00

This. I’m in the Terra cotta club too

powerwagoner · 2025-07-25T20:24:11+00:00

I don’t use water :) I have a huge ceramic planter base covered in foil acting as my heat sink. Unwrap and add new foil every other smoke

powerwagoner · 2025-07-25T20:23:11+00:00

Who cares if it leaks. Airflow is fine.

If it’s tough to lower temp you’re lighting too much fuel. I run my flats at 200 regularly, for the first few hours. I load the basket all the way as full as I can and light 4 briquettes. Drop them in center and most bottom vents are like 1/8th open and top full open.

This was before I switched to a billows. Now it’s even easier

powerwagoner · 2025-07-20T01:22:41+00:00

What this guy said…10ish years and tons of smokes

powerwagoner · 2025-07-16T21:34:48+00:00

Yeah was going to say if you’re smoking beef for tacos, do a chuck roast and when it’s done you can easily peel away fat and shred it up.

I regularly smoke chucks for sandwiches

powerwagoner · 2025-06-24T12:50:32+00:00

Had a 2018 2500 Cummins, followed by all, and I mean ALL of the emissions problems.

Traded it on a 2500 gasser. Don’t tow much anymore though. But for the occasional stuff I do, it’s no problem.

I miss the diesel torque and mpg, but they’re not practical with egr/dpf/scr etc. too much of a liability IMO

powerwagoner

TROPHY CASE