FAQ OF THE INTERNET BBQ LIST
1. Introduction to the BBQ List
1.1 Who we are
Why, we're just a bunch of down-home folk, a lot like you. We're carpenters, paleontologists, home-makers, plumbers, farmers, cooks and engineers (and just about everything in between). We're a diverse group that has one thing in common--we like barbecue.
1.2 What we do here
We like to sit on the front porch, around the barbecue pit, watching the smoke rising out of the stack, drinking a beer or a Dr. Pepper and having us a real good chat about barbecue, the size of the universe, the meaning of life and other important stuff.
We also, from time to time, if the feeling strikes us just right, and we've got a beer or Dr. Pepper in hand, will impart our "Q" knowledge to newcomers to barbecue that will enable them to increase their barbecuing skills to levels unheard of a hundred years ago. So stick around, read the posts and join the fun. Who knows, you might just learn a thing or two about barbecue, the size of the universe, the meaning of life and other important stuff. BTW, if we don't know the answer to your question, we'll just make one up.
The BBQ Mailing List was started in early 1996 by Richard Thead to facilitate the discussion of barbecue and grilling.
Here Rick's Charter for the BBQ List:
"The charter is really pretty broad. We include in-ground pits, log burning pits, water smokers (gas & electric), grilling, etc. We should try not have our discussions drift too far off. The long-term goal of this list should be to show that BBQ is a subject that can be well defined enough to carry on meaningful discussions about it."
We don't discuss religion, or politics and we post no obscene pictures (provided you don't look at the mugs of some of our members on Garry's Web page). Click here to see them if you must, but it's pretty scary and people have left the List after seeing them.
We talk about Q here. We answer questions about Q. We fight about Q. We take Q seriously. That's what we do. Sometimes, opinions and prejudices border on religion, but just keep in mind that most of the time a post that sounds critical, or even hostile, is most likely done tongue-in-cheek. Don't take everything you read on this List too seriously, in fact don't take anything you read on this List too seriously! (Except safety.)
Here is what Rick used to send to new List subscribers:
" I'd like to keep this list fun and informative for everybody. Hopefully, we can keep the flames to a minimum. We all need to keep in mind that BBQ means different things in different places. I'm as guilty as anybody of being a BBQ snob. However, for this list, anything having to do with smoking, grilling or any other type of 'outdoor' cooking is welcome. The only thing I'd like to discourage is the so-called 'oven BBQ,' where you throw something in the oven with a bottle of liquid smoke and call it BBQ. There are plenty recipes for that in the recipe archives already, and it has no place here.
If you are a new member and discussion topics seem to be wandering, just stick around awhile and see what happens. Many of the BBQ List members have been participants for many months and have grown to be friends. Some members even get together occasionally around the country to share barbecue and swap stories (more likely lies). Consequently, other topics of discussion may spring up temporarily but the discussion will come back around to barbecue. Just be patient.
If you are a new member and discussion topics seem to be wandering, just stick around awhile and see what happens. Many of the list members have been participants for many months and have grown to be friends. Some members even get together occasionally around the country to share barbecue and swap stories (more likely lies). Consequently, other topics of discussion may spring up temporarily but the discussion will come back around to barbecue. Just be patient.--------------------
[I'm new to the Internet and this BBQ List. Just what is a FAQ, anyway?]
I will take a stab at letting you in on some Internet etiquette. FAQ stands for Frequently Asked Questions. Most groups on the Internet have a FAQ. It is recommended that you read it first before posting any questions, as it may contain your answers. That way, the same basic questions don't need to be answered over and over each time a newbie (new person such as yourself) joins the list.
Editor-- We have included many World Wide Web URLs to various barbecue resource sites. Please be aware that the content and availability of Web sites change rapidly. We cannot be sure that the Web URLs given in this FAQ will be available or will not change in the future. Here is what Rick Thead used to send to new list subscribers:
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BBQ FAQ Ver 1.0, 2.0 ©1997, 1998 William W. Wight. All rights reserved.