This is a true story about how to convince your wife you need to purchase new equipment and take the class.
I cook around various states in the US and often pitmasters in those states who are total strangers offer to lend me their WSM to cook. I was trying to qualify for the Jack automatic in 2010 by flying from Los Angeles to Utah to compete as I was running out of time before the Sep deadline. Well, a pitmaster whom I did not know contacted me after I put out an SOS on the Utah forum. He convinced his wife that he need to purchase two new WSM-18 because SYD needed it to compete in Utah. Long story short, his wife said yes. He brought along a Dremmel tool and I autographed his two pits for him after the contest. See it can be done! You just need to be creative.
I've trained over 500 pitmasters, one-on-one, in small classes the past few years. I do no advertising and my students come by word-of-mouth. Many of my alumni have told me that, next to the birth of their children and their marriage, the day spent cooking with me was one of the most memorable and fun days of their lives. You won't find another pitmaster as crazy as I am trying to teach 15 items in 6 hours hands-on with a small group of students. I can't describe in words how pork butt feels like when it swells when you inject it. You have to experience it yourself in my class.
I've had many alumni who have returned to take the class again, and again. I have one student who is returning for a record 5th time, each time with a different family member or friend. I asked her if I was a bad instructor that she had to take my class so many times and she said that she learned something new each time as I cover so much information that she had to come back again to absorb the details. Even Dave Anderson, owner of the largest US BBQ chain with over 200 restaurants and a pitmaster with 35 years cooking and restaurant experience said he learned a few things from me which is the most profound compliment I received. Come immerse yourself in peace, love, and BBQ!