Thread: Wallets, Watches and Boots...The Man thread.

Originally Posted by KRC1221

So you can continually add coals to it as needed in that bottom opening? I'm really intrigued by these. Never used one or even seen one in use. W/ the egg and the extras are you looking at about $1k?

No. You can't add coals...that is, not without going in through the top, pulling the food, pulling the grate. The bottom vent is to an airbox that sits below the fire grate (which is a 16" -give or take- diameter perforated iron disk). But...you won't need to add coals. At least not on the XL. Trust me.



The XL's layout is slightly different than the image above, but the principle is the same. Bottom vent into an air chamber below the fire grate. Burning charcoal draws air from air chamber (both through the fire grate and via the sidewall vents) up through the coals. Rate of burn is controlled by how much air you allow to flow from the bottom air chamber through the coals and out the top. Tiny openings in the bottom and top vent will get you a steady temperature as low as 175 degrees. Wide open vents and you can watch the temperature gauge wrap around itself (no ****...I opened it wide for a cleaning once, walked away for half an hour, came back to a temp gauge that only said 300...well...the needle had gone clear past the top of the scale at 750 degrees until it reached 300 again! I could barely stand next to the thing! And when I closed everything up again and it had cooled down, EVERYTHING inside it had turned to ash. Not a bit of grease anywhere. It was beautiful.)

You won't need to add charcoal mid-cook. I've gone as long as twenty hours with mine, starting with a full firebox of fresh lump mesquite, and when I've gotten done, I've still had LOTS of unburned charcoal in the firebox. And the other neat thing about it is that you can start it, get it to temp, sear a couple steaks for seven minutes or so, then shut down the vents. The fire goes out as soon as it goes through all the trapped air, and an hour later it's cool enough to put the cover back onto it...still with PLENTY of charcoal in the firebox!! So it's great for long smokes or short searing and everything in between. I've made main courses, side dishes, desserts, breakfasts. I've done thanksgiving turkey, prime rib, meatloaf, apple pies, macaroni and cheese, smoked apples, peach cobbler, pork loin. Anything you can think of, you can do with this thing (which is true of most grills, of course, if you know what you're doing).

There's a short learning curve to controlling the temps down low, but most of that is technique in building the fire to begin with (which only seems to matter with low-n-slow cooks).

You can expect to spend north of a grand on one of these things. DO NOT order it over the internet (BGE doesn't actually sell them over the net...so if you find someone selling them that way, beware). You might be able to locate one used on Craigs List and get a good deal, just make sure you go through it carefully and look for proper assembly and care. By the time I got done buying the XL, the nest (stand), the side tables, the place-setter (which is a heat shield for low-and-slow cooks...a MUST), and a cover, I was north of $1800. Let me tell you that I did my research before hand, read everything I could get my hands on about charcoal smokers, and talked to everyone I could find that owned these things (my pilot group at work has a big thread on the BGE on our message board now...heh). This was the best fit for me, and as I said, I have been 110% satisfied with everything about it! It will last me the rest of my life (so long as I don't tip it over), and I may even be able to pass it down to my kids.

If you decide to save up and go this route, you won't be sorry. I would definitely suggest going with the XL, though...because you can cook small on a big barbecue, but you can't cook big on a small one. Truth.

Originally Posted by FBJ

No. You can't add coals...that is, not without going in through the top, pulling the food, pulling the grate. The bottom vent is to an airbox that sits below the fire grate (which is a 16" -give or take- diameter perforated iron disk). But...you won't need to add coals. At least not on the XL. Trust me.



The XL's layout is slightly different than the image above, but the principle is the same. Bottom vent into an air chamber below the fire grate. Burning charcoal draws air from air chamber (both through the fire grate and via the sidewall vents) up through the coals. Rate of burn is controlled by how much air you allow to flow from the bottom air chamber through the coals and out the top. Tiny openings in the bottom and top vent will get you a steady temperature as low as 175 degrees. Wide open vents and you can watch the temperature gauge wrap around itself (no ****...I opened it wide for a cleaning once, walked away for half an hour, came back to a temp gauge that only said 300...well...the needle had gone clear past the top of the scale at 750 degrees until it reached 300 again! I could barely stand next to the thing! And when I closed everything up again and it had cooled down, EVERYTHING inside it had turned to ash. Not a bit of grease anywhere. It was beautiful.)

You won't need to add charcoal mid-cook. I've gone as long as twenty hours with mine, starting with a full firebox of fresh lump mesquite, and when I've gotten done, I've still had LOTS of unburned charcoal in the firebox. And the other neat thing about it is that you can start it, get it to temp, sear a couple steaks for seven minutes or so, then shut down the vents. The fire goes out as soon as it goes through all the trapped air, and an hour later it's cool enough to put the cover back onto it...still with PLENTY of charcoal in the firebox!! So it's great for long smokes or short searing and everything in between. I've made main courses, side dishes, desserts, breakfasts. I've done thanksgiving turkey, prime rib, meatloaf, apple pies, macaroni and cheese, smoked apples, peach cobbler, pork loin. Anything you can think of, you can do with this thing (which is true of most grills, of course, if you know what you're doing).

There's a short learning curve to controlling the temps down low, but most of that is technique in building the fire to begin with (which only seems to matter with low-n-slow cooks).

You can expect to spend north of a grand on one of these things. DO NOT order it over the internet (BGE doesn't actually sell them over the net...so if you find someone selling them that way, beware). You might be able to locate one used on Craigs List and get a good deal, just make sure you go through it carefully and look for proper assembly and care. By the time I got done buying the XL, the nest (stand), the side tables, the place-setter (which is a heat shield for low-and-slow cooks...a MUST), and a cover, I was north of $1800. Let me tell you that I did my research before hand, read everything I could get my hands on about charcoal smokers, and talked to everyone I could find that owned these things (my pilot group at work has a big thread on the BGE on our message board now...heh). This was the best fit for me, and as I said, I have been 110% satisfied with everything about it! It will last me the rest of my life (so long as I don't tip it over), and I may even be able to pass it down to my kids.

If you decide to save up and go this route, you won't be sorry. I would definitely suggest going with the XL, though...because you can cook small on a big barbecue, but you can't cook big on a small one. Truth.

Jesus, are you a salesman for them? B/c you just SOLD me!

Wallet-cheap leather CC wallet that I replace every couple of years.
Money Clip-on my 4th SSilver clip from T&Co, but this one has held up the longest. Streamerica Money Clip design is heavier than their simple one, has yet to get too stretched out after 7+ years. The others only lasted a couple years before becoming too loose unless I hit Vegas with a big wad of $.
Watches-I have about 25 watches I've collected over the years, a few of the quartz ones need new batteries and my Grandpa's vintage Hamilton Auto and Pocket Watch need to get serviced/repaired.
Jewelry-I have some gold chains that I've gotten over the years, the only one I wear if at all is a 20" 5mm Rope chain (I have a big neck so it fits like a choker almost.) On it is a Hawaiian barrel pendant with my first initial...yeah corny but it's subtle and the chain was a "thing" to have when I was younger. I also have a T&Co Streamerica Ring that matches my Money Clip. I have 1ct total diamond earrings that I wear a few times a year to keep the holes open. I have a box full of old earrings when it was more my norm, mainly small gold or silver hoops.
Shoes-Casual=Rockport, Cole Haan, Clae, Generic Surplus, CK.
Shoes-Dress=Hugo Boss, S. Ferragamo, JD Fisk.

Originally Posted by nocturn

Im also looking to buy a 3 Timepiece Auto Winder for my 2 Heuers and Omega. What I am looking at is either the Wolf Meridian 2.7 Triple Watch Winder in Black:


or the Wolf Designs Module 2.1 Heritage Triple Watch Winder with Cover and Storage:


Anyone have experience with Wolf Design? The first one is a open case that is stackable and can run in series whereas the second is a closed case and is stand alone. I like the idea of having the case enclosed but the Meridian is a open case. Both are the same price.

Ive had to send the Tag Link Automatic in to Tag 2 times to have the crown seal and crown threads replaced because I'm constantly having to pull it and reset the date/time. It costs me $500 bones to get it fixed, sealed and recertified every time. In fact Tag scolded me for not having a auto winder. Luckily I haven't had to send in the Carrera in yet...That would kill me. The Link is my Day to day timepiece so it gets used alot. Its when I take it off for more than 3 days that I need to pop the crown and reset it.

Any advice on Auto Winders?

I have a Wolf Design Heritage Single 2.1 w/Cover and lock that has held up pretty well.
I also have a Volta 4 watch Winder in Carbon Fiber as my Auto collection has grown. I'll probably get another Volta 4 or 8 winder next as I'm very pleased with it and need the extra spots.

Originally Posted by jammer06

I gotta say am I the only one that uses a bi-fold so it will fit my passport? It's just much more convenient. I basically have it for credit cards and rarely business cards. I use a card case so I can keep things segregated properly.

I don't like moneyclips though mainly because I hate having to deal in cash.

I am a sucker for watches too. Recently had to give up on my speedmaster. Just kept needing more service than I was getting out of wearing it. Had it for almost 10 years. Had the stieinhauser winder but in the end not only is it too much hassle but my kids are way too interested in playing with it.



Outside of that never been a big shoe guy but I don't mind picking up nice belts when I'm out of the country.

I'm with Daxx on the tools though!

That's why you get the Speedmaster Pro which should be the only Speedmaster choice.

Originally Posted by Fisch

Wallet-cheap leather CC wallet that I replace every couple of years.
Money Clip-on my 4th SSilver clip from T&Co, but this one has held up the longest. Streamerica Money Clip design is heavier than their simple one, has yet to get too stretched out after 7+ years. The others only lasted a couple years before becoming too loose unless I hit Vegas with a big wad of $.
Watches-I have about 25 watches I've collected over the years, a few of the quartz ones need new batteries and my Grandpa's vintage Hamilton Auto and Pocket Watch need to get serviced/repaired.
Jewelry-I have some gold chains that I've gotten over the years, the only one I wear if at all is a 20" 5mm Rope chain (I have a big neck so it fits like a choker almost.) On it is a Hawaiian barrel pendant with my first initial...yeah corny but it's subtle and the chain was a "thing" to have when I was younger. I also have a T&Co Streamerica Ring that matches my Money Clip. I have 1ct total diamond earrings that I wear a few times a year to keep the holes open. I have a box full of old earrings when it was more my norm, mainly small gold or silver hoops.
Shoes-Casual=Rockport, Cole Haan, Clae, Generic Surplus, CK.
Shoes-Dress=Hugo Boss, S. Ferragamo, JD Fisk.

you could get that stanley cup champs kings money clip from tiffany's now, too!

My wallet: Levi's soft leather tri-fold


My daily wear watch: Seiko SKX-009J


My daily wear work boots: Red Wing Style #8138

Originally Posted by KRC1221

Jesus, are you a salesman for them? B/c you just SOLD me!

Glad to hear it. As I said, you won't be sorry.

Let me know when you take the plunge and I'll flood your inbox with links to fire-building/temp control techniques and recipes.

Originally Posted by KRC1221

Real men don't use gas grills! Gas is ok on certain occasions. But using a good ole Weber is what men use. And also, real men don't use match light charcoal. Use a coal starter!

LOL! Puh-lease! Ever heard of “Work Smarter not Harder?” I use to think the same thing until I learned the proper way to grill on gas. Coal grills have a much larger window for error which makes them more "manly". Yes, of course wood grilling is fantastic in its own right BUT it can be easily matched and exceeded by better cooking and culinary skills. I can grill a rack of ribs, ribeye or a full 20 lb turkey to rival ANY charcoal/wood based pit fairly easy. Heck, a simple Fire Box made of Aluminum foil full of Mesquite can accomplish everything a carbon based grill can without the heat control issues, fussing with fuel and time. You guys just haven’t had a properly done meal from gas.

Now Smoking is a different story. That’s why I own this:



You can partially obtain “smoking” better from a carbon based grill but if you want a true smoke, you need a pit with indirect heat of some sort. Something you can monitor heat, humidity, smoke and time. Along with a good brine, youre on it! I smoke Turkey, pork, beef and fish all year long in the pit.

Anywho, I bought the Weber Genesis. Its a beauty!