Author: Troy

Troy is the Chief Mucky Muck of the Weber Kettle Club. He has been grilling and barbecuing with a hardcore passion since 2001. Despite being one of the internet's earliest BBQ bloggers, he didn't jump on the Weber wagon until June of 2010 - just four short years ago. When Troy made the switch to Weber, he went hunting for a red Weber Performer to honor his father who had the iconic red Weber during Troy's childhood. Unfortunately, by 2010, Weber was no longer making the red color. Troy chose a blue grill to pay homage to his friend Tim who had gotten him into grilling and eventually convinced him to buy a Weber. While researching methods of finding a red grill, Troy met Jeff K, Brian, and AJ. Together they became The Four Horsemen of Weber Kettles. Together, these 4 had more collective Weber charcoal grill knowledge and passion than anyone.  With the help and encouragement of the other founders - Troy started the WKC. Today Troy owns several red Weber grills - including the 1987 OTS that was his Fathers.

  • ThermPRO TP20 – $50

    ByTroy

    This is a relatively new brand in recent years. It started as a cheap alternative on Amazon and it’s earned 3,326 5-star reviews. The transmitter and receiver of the TP20 bbq thermometer is rugged and ‘splashproof’ enough to handle a bit of rain. The TP20 has a 1-year warranty.

  • Thermoworks SMOKE – $99

    ByTroy

    The SMOKE is a 2-probe wireless thermometer with a 300ft range. Its probes are more rugged and durable than most, featuring spring-wound cable protectors at the plug end. The transmitter and receiver units are also durable and weather resistant. The Smoke can also be upgraded to WIFI using the Thermoworks Bridge. I’ve been using my…

  • Maverick XR-50 – $79

    ByTroy

    Maverick earned the BBQ communities trust with the ET-732 and ET-733 wireless pit probes, but flushed it all away with their Bluetooth 735. This time they’ve teamed up with Adrenaline Barbecue to launch a new FOUR-PROBE wireless thermometer. The XR-50 comes with 4 universal probes that can be used to monitor pit temps or food…

  • 1981 Smokey Joe – NIB

    ByTroy

    This nice old SJ belong to WKC member MartyG. Here’s the story to go with the pics: Thanks to a fellow member here in Chicago, (Thin Blue Smoke aka: Todd) I was able to secure this fine example of a Smokey Joe from the year my son was born – 1981. Finding an old kettle…

  • Grilling in the Winter

    ByTroy

    Well it’s here isn’t it. The cold, windy, snowy days. The idiot drivers. The bell ringers. The 4:30pm sunsets. Don’t let the 6 months of that crap depress you though – get outside and grill! Grilling in the winter isn’t really THAT much different than grilling in the summer. Lets break down the cold weather…