Pellet Fan

Get Started Here => If you want to introduce yourself... => Topic started by: tewharaunz on December 05, 2017, 06:02:56 PM

Title: Hi from New Zealand
Post by: tewharaunz on December 05, 2017, 06:02:56 PM
Greetings from the Frozen South (currently thawed for summer); otherwise known as the South Island of New Zealand.
I've been looking for a friendly forum of Pellet grillers and after a few days lurking, this looks like the place!

I've had my Traeger Pro 22 for about a month and it has had a serious workout!  I've never had anything but a gas grill so I've been busy working through my dream smokes and getting positive reviews from the family (including my Vegetarian wife)!

Besides using it like a grill I've been trying to branch out...

So far I've attempted some meats:
Beef Brisket
Pork Ribs
Lamb Ribs
Beef Roast
Chicken breasts

...and some nice smoked veggies too:
Asparagus
Eggplant (called aubergine here)
Potato wedges
Potato Spirals
Fakin (what I call the vege bacon)

...and some pellet-fired baking:
Pizza
Focaccia

Not many fails (so far) but I can't quite retire the gas grill until I figure a way to 1) sear things and 2) cook the things I used the cast iron griddle side of the grill for... like fried eggs, onions, and haloumi cheese.

Any help/suggestions welcome!

Cheers, David




Title: Re: Hi from New Zealand
Post by: Maineac on December 05, 2017, 06:52:39 PM
First, welcome to the forum and you did find the right one.  There is LOTS of knowledge here. 

It looks like you are making up for lost time, David.  That's a pretty good list for one month.  As for searing and the other cooking items you mentioned, for me it's easier to use different cookers for where they shine, so I believe one needs a pellet grill, a charcoal grill, and a gasser.  I mean, why use an adjustable wrench if you can afford a set of wrenches?

Show us some New Zealand cooks.   :lick:
Title: Re: Hi from New Zealand
Post by: Bobitis on December 05, 2017, 07:09:14 PM
Howdy David from the great PNW. Just keep the gasser. No shame in that.  :beer:
Title: Re: Hi from New Zealand
Post by: tewharaunz on December 05, 2017, 07:54:23 PM
Maineac,

Not sure if I get the hang of the posting pics thing... I'm not able to photos directly from Google Photos but I can share the links to the photos...I think.

Beef Brisket
https://photos.app.goo.gl/RGOHPFnOcaUdhmsX2 (https://photos.app.goo.gl/RGOHPFnOcaUdhmsX2)

Pork Ribs
https://photos.app.goo.gl/5lv2j6lFsnOEC3M13 (https://photos.app.goo.gl/5lv2j6lFsnOEC3M13)

Mutton Ribs
https://photos.app.goo.gl/6THmtXNw9jEenkWo2 (https://photos.app.goo.gl/6THmtXNw9jEenkWo2)
Title: Re: Hi from New Zealand
Post by: triplebq on December 05, 2017, 08:16:46 PM
Your brisket is  :lick:

Great job!
Title: Re: Hi from New Zealand
Post by: Darwin on December 05, 2017, 08:47:59 PM
Hello and welcome to the forum.   :clap:
Title: Re: Hi from New Zealand
Post by: Bentley on December 05, 2017, 09:30:55 PM
What!  No Rack of Spring Lamb?  Welcome to the DarkSide!
Title: Re: Hi from New Zealand
Post by: Michael_NW on December 05, 2017, 10:54:31 PM
Welcome, tewharaunz! Looks like you've been busy!
Title: Re: Hi from New Zealand
Post by: tewharaunz on December 06, 2017, 03:37:13 AM
Bentley,

Our neighbour (their holiday home) is a sheep farmer and gave me the mutten ribs. I’ve never seen them in the supermarket like that so I suspect they usually get cut up for dog bones or sausages. This was a smaller “trial” rack to see how they turned out and wow were they tasty! My girls (and I) preferred them over the pork ribs.  I’ve already offered to smoke some for them when they are around over Christmas.


Title: Re: Hi from New Zealand
Post by: Brushpopper on December 06, 2017, 07:14:58 AM
Howdy from South Central Texas!  Looks like you've got it figured out in a months time to me.  Your cooks sure do look tasty!   :beer:
Title: Re: Hi from New Zealand
Post by: kruz805 on December 06, 2017, 08:39:11 AM
Good on ya, mate.  Was in NZ in 2002 and looking to go back in a few years.  We have friends in the US that we met and now they have moved back.  Where in the South Island are your from? 

Title: Re: Hi from New Zealand
Post by: Canadian John on December 06, 2017, 09:10:34 AM
 Welcome Michael from Canada.  We are about to exchange weather. Starting to get cold here.  Keep that Pro 22 going. It will be easier as the weather warms.
Title: Re: Hi from New Zealand
Post by: Kristin Meredith on December 06, 2017, 11:13:36 AM
Welcome.  I visited N.Z about 25 years ago.  The South Island is stunning and the best lamb I have ever had in my life was in a very small town named Murchison at the Commercial Hotel.  Looked like an old western town from the US. Town is probably much bigger now and I wonder if that hotel is even there. 
Title: Re: Hi from New Zealand
Post by: tewharaunz on December 06, 2017, 07:43:16 PM
Kruz805,

We live in a small settlement called Charteris Bay, about 30 minutes from Christchurch.  It's one of those places where everyone knows everyone else's business, but it has boat ramp and a shelly beach, so Summer is usually fun (and sometimes entertaining).
Title: Re: Hi from New Zealand
Post by: tewharaunz on December 06, 2017, 08:29:19 PM
Kirstin,

Google maps says the Commercial Hotel is "closed permanently" but looking at Murchison on Google Maps streetview, that might be the only change in more than 25 years.  Replace the cars with horses, and it still looks like an old western town.
Title: Re: Hi from New Zealand
Post by: Quadman750 on December 12, 2017, 05:37:14 AM
Welcome to the forum