The Passing of a Smoker
A sad thing happened this past week. I lost a friend in the barbecue cookbook and culinary writing business. My favorite old, rusty, tired and trusted smoker suffered a massive rust blow out and will have to be retired. The piece of cooking equipment was lovingly referred to as “Old Smoke” in my circle of barbecue and grilling buddies. Alas, Old Smoke is moving on to that great barbecue cook out in the sky.
I knew this day was coming. Ally and I spent a weekend the year before last working on Old Smoke in a revitalization effort. We sanded, patched, bolted and tightened. I even put on a new coat of black grill paint. Old Smoke looked great but deep down I knew that it was just a short term fix. I bought the barrel type smoker years ago and it has been my standard “go to” cooking unit since.
My dog Moses, or Big Mo, and I have spent countless evenings sitting in our lawn chairs watching the sun set and keeping an eye on Old Smoke during a rib session. You can solve many of life’s problems while scratching your golden retrievers head and chatting with your wife and son. At times the night air would be filled with a tantalizing mix of Braves baseball on the radio and wisps of hickory smoke. And yes, Moses has his own lawn chair.
I’m going try one more time to repair Old Smoky. I know it will be a lost cause… but I feel the need to make an effort. It’s owed to Old Smoke to at least try even though the outlook is not bright. As of this writing the decision on having a wake is still up in the air. If I have one, I know my friends will come over; if not for Old Smoke… then for the Pabst Blue Ribbon.
Ally knows this is a tough loss for me. She told me that Old Smoke could go on to help other smokers and grills hidden behind our back yard shed. Each serves a different purpose. One is for charcoal grilling, one is for tailgating, and the gas grills are used for different events. A handle from Old Smoke could go to use here, a grilling-grate could be used there. “It’s l
3 Comments on Please Welcome Guest Kent Whitaker, Author of Chow Line, last added: 6/1/2012
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Sounds tasty.
Lol, "smoker donation program," fabulous!
I have never put enough miles on a BBQ to mourn its eventual demise, but I remember the feeling, putting an old recliner out front for the large item pickup, driving away, feeling like I was abandoning a friend.
The time comes for all of us, whether it's rust, rips, or broken springs, that it's time for the big item pickup.
I hope this story makes one of your cookbooks! Thanks for the recipe, but more importantly for the instructions! I am learning to grill the hard way. Last week my burgers were burnt yet raw at the same time!
Well Deck Chef, I never imagined I could sentimental about a smoker, but you had me tearing up ya bum! Now I'm going to miss Ol' Smoke too. Please let us know how the repairs go and OS's ultimate fate. And thanks to Shelley for having you guest.