Anybody keep a cook diary?

[dilley340]

I put together a simple Excel spreadsheet diary for myself and found it to be rather useful when I mix things up a bit. Granted, my little driveway cooks are nothing compared to you guys, but it's kinda fun and gives me a benchmark on what works and what doesn't. Notice that I grade myself at the bottom.

How 'bout you folks?

Probably should put in a "Number of beers consumed" column. :shock:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v118/dilley340/120106-DougsBBQLog.jpg

[Half Fast BBQ'n]

I don't keep a diary dilley, but that looks like a might fine idea 8)

[Txngent]

I like that !!! Would it be a file you would share? If so, I would want a download. It is a good idea, but a great chart.

[Freedbaby]

I would also be interested, that looks like an interesting way of keeping from saying "now what did I do to that brisket that was so good" ...after saying to your wife who was salivating over it "oh honey, I remember what I did, dont worry!"

how many of us have done that??........:oops:

Jay

[dilley340]

I'd be happy to share. 8) I can't provide a page on my website with the attachment because it's set up as read-only site.

Any ideas on how it post the .xls file? If not, I guess I could just email in.

I'd like to see if someone can open it up and edit it to their liking. It's formatted to print out on an 8.5 x 11 sheet.

[david brace]

I can't see the small print, but does the form include purchase prices for the food? That would be good also. But keeping track is a good idea. We had someone here who had something like this, but it was at least a year ago, if I remember...

Anyone remember?

DB

[yelonutz]

I have used the one on the weber smokey mountain site. It is very useful.

[ultramag]

Nice log dilley. I would be interested as well if you figure out how to share it.

[dilley340]

Shoot me your emaill addy's and I'll just email it to anybody that's interested. You'll need the Excel software to open and edit it though. Feel free to edit it to something you can use. I'd be interested in what you guys come up with. 8)

DB, yep, meat weight, cost per pound and where I picked it up.

Here's my email address... dilley340@msn.com

Put "cook log" or something in the subject line so I'll know.

Thanks,

[Zilla]

I started one last year and got about 12 cooks in it and then blew it off. I guess I'm not a journal kind of guy.

[TexLaw]

That's an excellent log, Dilley. I'd appreciate a copy (and will email my request). Thanks!


TL

[rstcso]

I guess I'm not a journal kind of guy.
You're more of a "Peace, Love and BBQ" kind of guy (thank goodness :shock: ).

[kickassbbq]

I keep mine at
www.kickassbbq.com
PARTY!!!!!!!!!!
Smoke On!!!!!!!

[Dustaway]

I have a note book but nothin that nice :lol:

[dilley340]

Very cool website kickassbbq! 8) Tons of great info there... got ya bookmarked :D

[Bowhnter2]

Thanks for sharing Doug, I like what you sent me.

[dilley340]

You're welcome Bowhnter2 and thanks... :wink:

[Bigjim4x]

I never kept one until we startd doing comps. Now i couldn't do it without it. It's the single biggest reason my BBQ has gotten better.

[FAT DADDY'S]

Great looking diary, I would like 1 also. :D

[DaHorns]

Thanks Dilley!

[Dustaway]

Note to myself find Jim's log book and burn it at humble :?:

I never kept one until we startd doing comps. Now i couldn't do it without it. It's the single biggest reason my BBQ has gotten better.

[M38A1]

I keep a record of my "events" that has cook-specific information entered. I'll see if I can get that out this evening to the group.

[FAT DADDY'S]

Thanks Dilly

[dilley340]

Ain't no thang FAT DADDY'S 8) Cool avatar BTW :mrgreen:

[Zeeman]

"1-2-3...un-wrap it, rub it, cook it". Just in case I forget, I wrote it on the lid of my cookbox. Oh yea.....Kodak Easy Share helps out a bunch also.
Kinda like a photo journal ya know 8)
z

[Dustaway]

when it's just salt & Pepper what is to forget right :?:

"1-2-3...un-wrap it, rub it, cook it". Just in case I forget, I wrote it on the lid of my cookbox. Oh yea.....Kodak Easy Share helps out a bunch also.
Kinda like a photo journal ya know 8)
z

[Zeeman]

when it's just slat & Pepper what is to forget right :?:



yea and what ever else is in the rub. Simple and bout all dat's needed. less I'm baking a cake or something like dat, then Tee takes over :wink:
It's BBQ, not a science project.
z

[vinman]

I can't see the small print, but does the form include purchase prices for the food? That would be good also. But keeping track is a good idea. We had someone here who had something like this, but it was at least a year ago, if I remember...

Anyone remember?

DB

I think it was Cleglue.....wasn't it?

[Zeeman]

Hmmm, 2090 posts...

Yep, had about 3,000 more but da got subtracted awhile back somehow....mita went to Mr. Woody. :lol:
z

[vinman]

Yep, had about 3,000 more but da got subtracted awhile back somehow....mita went to Mr. Woody. :lol:
z

Woody is like the black hole of posts...his numbers keep growing.

[M38A1]

Let's see if this works for 'yall.

If you have Microsoft WORD, try clicking the link HERE (http://www.m38a1.com/g503/bbq/event_plan.doc) The file name is event_plan.doc

Then do a File/SaveAs to your computer. Go change the header information too once the file is open on your machine unless you like my team name.

Hope it helps...

[vinman]

Let's see if this works for 'yall.

If you have Microsoft WORD, try clicking the link HERE (http://www.m38a1.com/g503/bbq/event_plan.doc) The file name is event_plan.doc

Then do a File/SaveAs to your computer. Go change the header information too once the file is open on your machine unless you like my team name.

Hope it helps...

Worked out fine M38. Nice graph!

[dilley340]

Worked perfectly here too M38A1. Very cool checklist! Thanks. :D

[Oli]

Yep and a timing chart as well

[JustSmokin'Around]

Probably should put in a "Number of beers consumed" column. :shock:



dilley340 - sent you an email. Thanks. No need to add the number of beers consumed column - unless I'm allowed to lie or hide the logs :D :D

[david brace]

Thanks M38...

DB

[JustSmokin'Around]

M38A1 - Thanks for the file. I have a couple I found else where, but I like this one much better. Very nice. Has the time chart and everything. I'll double check to make sure the beer quantity is measured in cases :lol: - may need a slight modification. :shock: Thanks again for sharing this.

[david brace]

I think it was Cleglue.....wasn't it?
I don't remember...I'll research it. Thanks for kick starting my memory.

DB

[Race R Us]

:lol: sign me up for a copy, thanks

[vinman]

I don't remember...I'll research it. Thanks for kick starting my memory.

DB

No problem :wink:

[CookinOkie]

It looked great to me and I sure hope you don't mind Dilly as I just copied and pasted it, printed me out about a dozen. It sure will help me in my quest to get consistent. LOL

CookinOkie Ron

[david brace]

Hey Dilley. did you email me one???

DB

[dilley340]

Shoot me an email DB... dilley340@msn.com

[david brace]

I did...unless I messed up. I'll do it again this morning. Thanks.

DB

[Dustaway]

Don't you first need to fire the pit up :?: :?: :?:


Hey Dilley. did you email me one???

DB

[DaHorns]

Don't you first need to fire the pit up :?: :?: :?:


DB, you might as well smoke something up this weekend or next. Just to show that you really do have a smoker...... :wink:

[RuiNT BBQ]

Probably should put in a "Number of beers consumed" column. :shock:

Nope, that's evidence that can be used against you later........

I don't keep anything that elaborate, just time on, off, wrapped, etc. and usually a short note on how it turned out. That is, if the beer consumed doesn't prevent me from rememberin to do it......

[dilley340]

Probably should put in a "Number of beers consumed" column. :shock:

Nope, that's evidence that can be used against you later........

I don't keep anything that elaborate, just time on, off, wrapped, etc. and usually a short note on how it turned out. That is, if the beer consumed doesn't prevent me from rememberin to do it......

That's partly why I put a log together in the first place. A guy can do a lot of damage to a case of beer during an 8 - 12 hour cook! :shock: :shock: :? :wink:

[vinman]

That's partly why I put a log together in the first place. A guy can do a lot of damage to a case of beer during an 8 - 12 hour cook! :shock: :shock: :? :wink:

I know it!
I always look around and wonder who drank all my beer...maybe I just need a mirror :roll:

[RuiNT BBQ]

That's partly why I put a log together in the first place. A guy can do a lot of damage to a case of beer during an 8 - 12 hour cook! :shock: :shock: :? :wink:

Damage :shock: You mean you actually have some left from a case after a cook :shock: Sumpin about that smoke that can just hypmotize ya and next thing ya know there's another fresh beer in yer hand........

That was a good log and it's a good way to keep track of what went right and wrong on a cook. The grading deal a good reference too! The more it becomes second nature the less you will look back on it or even update it!

[david brace]

Don't you first need to fire the pit up :?: :?: :?:
...wiseguy...

DB

[cleglue]

Guys...the only thing I kept was a sheet of paper with times and temperatures to produce a graph. There was someone who was selling a journal notebook though. I don't remember who.

Dilly340...I'm going to send an email to get a copy of your Excel file.

Thanks for offering it to us.

[dilley340]

Most certainly cleglue! My email addy... dilley340@msn.com :wink:

Haven't heard from you DB. Still interested?

[vinman]

Guys...the only thing I kept was a sheet of paper with times and temperatures to produce a graph. There was someone who was selling a journal notebook though. I don't remember who.

Dilly340...I'm going to send an email to get a copy of your Excel file.

Thanks for offering it to us.

I stand corrected then.
I do remember your little pictograph on making charcoal though. Or did I missremember that too :shock:

[cleglue]

Vinman your are correct on the charcoal making.

http://usera.imagecave.com/cleglue/Charcoal-Making/

http://usera.imagecave.com/cleglue/Charcoal-Making2

I'm just glad someone remembered. :D

Here's the graph

http://usera.imagecave.com/cleglue/April22006/BostonButtMedium.JPG

I need (really just want) one of those Stokers to keep track of the time and temperature.

[vinman]

Vinman your are correct on the charcoal making.

http://usera.imagecave.com/cleglue/Charcoal-Making/

http://usera.imagecave.com/cleglue/Charcoal-Making2

I'm just glad someone remembered. :D

Here's the graph

http://usera.imagecave.com/cleglue/April22006/BostonButtMedium.JPG

I need (really just want) one of those Stokers to keep track of the time and temperature.


Yeah those are the pics.
I even made some myself on a smaller scale just as an experiment.

[Bowhnter2]

Well, I used the log for the 1st time yesterday. Everything started out great, all things written down...then I put the chicken on. Cold front hit, started raining, outside temp dropped from 60 to 42 in a few mins. Couldn't keep the pit temp up over 200, no matter how much fuel I put to it :x
The things I had to do to rescue this cook can't be duplicated.
And my comments I made during this time can't be wriiten down :shock:

[yelonutz]

Doug, sorry to be so late to say thank you but I'm kinda slow. Your reply had your website on it so I searched that sucker high and low looking for the file. I finally figured out it was an attachment and I did not even need to go to your website! I enjoyed it though, and by the way GREAT CAR!!. I am restoring a 1961 Corvette so I know how much work they are. Any way, thanks again for the log. John.