[bearbonez]

Never been able to get my hands on Ozark Oak. Stopped by bbq outfitters yesterday in hopes that the in store price was realistic after seeing the online price. $8/10 lbs is still steep but being on par with wicked good according to naked whiz, figured I'd give it a try. Going to use cherry and apple chunks with it for a comp rib practice and experimenting, since we don't live in the sticks any more. It's nice having options other than cowboy/kingsford, mesquite/ hickory. Also the charcoal basket actually keeps the temps up at lower elevation. Up on the hill I had a heck of a time gettin er up past 185, so pretty much just burned split, oak logs.
Anyway, I'll be taking notes and posting results on the Ozark.

[Mike (AZBarbeque)]

Awesome Bear, post up some pictures if you can.  Would love to see you in Action in Austin...  Are you competing soon?

[bearbonez]

Waiting till Cindy gets work...chompin at the bit badly here. The company I work for has jumped as a sponsor for us.

[Mike (AZBarbeque)]

That is awesome to hear.  Always helps to have sponsors..

[bearbonez]

It's been 36-38 degrees all day, cloudy and light breezes. Lust filled second load, which is 10 lbs of charcoal and about 10 baseball sized chunks half cheer and half apple. Some small pieces of wood so approximating. I use about twice of what you would for a bullet with the wood since I am cooking on a offset stick burner. Even that much may be a bit mild. So about a 3 hour burn on one load. Not bad given the temps outside. I do have the intake half open and been holding at 225 solid for the 3 hours. Time to foil.

[Azbully]

I wish i could get this stuff locally.  Or the Wicked Good.

[azkitch]

Bear, did you wind up keeping the Gator?
Glad to hear you're ready to compete, and even have a sponsor. Go get 'em! I still think Austin is the B!t@hinest, even if my favorite Austinite (Lance A) has caved to the $ god. That's the only possible explanation for forsaking his beloved Shiner Bock and advertising for (GASP) Michelob Ultra bottled water. Insert Mr. Yuckface.

[bearbonez]

Gator is still on my trailer...don't think it will be gettin off for quite a while. Left my weber kettle on the hill with Eric, but got a new one for Christmas. Lookin to put a bbq guru on the gator sometime down the road.

[Lizard333]

Bear, are you not in Showlow anymore?? 

[Mike (AZBarbeque)]

Nope, Bear & Cindy moved to Austin, TX.  They are now Texans...  Yee Haw!!

Miss them lots, hope to get out there soon and visit them..

[Lizard333]

At least he moved to a plce with great BBQ.  Could have moved to new england or something.....
Good for him.

[bearbonez]

Yup, we are in Austin now. Haven't tried any of the bbq here. Need to head down to lockhart and try the big 3 there, (Kreutz', Smitty's and black's).

[Lizard333]

Yup, we are in Austin now. Haven't tried any of the bbq here. Need to head down to lockhart and try the big 3 there, (Kreutz', Smitty's and black's).

You have been in Texas for more than five minutes and haven't "gotten around" to trying the BBQ? Come on Bear, surely you can't be that busy!!  You have to let us know what you think of it when you finally go.  I am thinking of doing a road trip to Florida with a buddy and the only reason I am wanting to go with him is the fact that we will be passing through Texas twice, which means I can enjoy the BBQ Twice as much!!  Sorry to hear you left, hope you enjoy your new state!  Take care.

[PAT YOUNG]

BEAR AND CINDY, Have you eaten at JUAN IN A MILLION yet? They were on MAN VS FOOD and they have gotten good reviews!! If you go make sure to get the famous handshake from JUAN sr. SHELLY say's hi and we hope everything is going well for ya'll!! Take care!

[bearbonez]

Seen man vs. food. Haven't tried Juan's or round rock donuts. Haven't tried any bbq around here either. We'll get to Lockhart one of these days and try out the big 3 there. Have been practicing at home, so haven't been without bbq. Cindy starts her new job today, so we're looking to getting into some comps this spring.