Hello All:
This is my first post in this marvelous forum. I'm barely a newbie, no, I would call myself a zygote when it comes to smoking. I took the plunge by purchasing an Oklahoma Joe (great audacity for a zygote, no?). After careful reading and research before embarking on my first smoke, I made my smoker air tight by installing a gasket, purchased from BBQ Gaskets, around the chamber and fire box, I seasoned the smoker for 6 hours. I saw a tiny bit of smoke escaping from the lower left of chamber and firebox. I guess that's ok? I've ordered and have yet to receive a charcoal basket and convection plate from New Horizon. Anyway, I tried smoking chicken quarters and...IT WAS A DISASTER! Had a problem maintaining the temperature, didn't turn the qtrs after 1 hour, spray with apple juice, and on and on. To wit, I've discovered this website where there are great blogs that explain how to BBQ and smoke anything. After reading long and hard in this forum, I tried smoking chicken and beef ribs for the 4th; THEY WERE SENSATIONAL! As a newborn smoker, with my sagging diapers, bottle in one hand and BBQ mop in the other, I took my bow before family and friends! :-))) You guys have given me confidence and I appreciate your generosity in sharing your knowledge. Obviously, I won't be able to impart any knowledge about smoking so I will be receiving your great insights as opposed to giving any. The best I can do is express my DEEP appreciation for your knowledge and wisdom.
A couple of questions:
1. Will a convection plate help in controlling temperatures
2. I'm contemplating purchasing a Stoker of BBQ Guru temperature controller. Is that a good idea and do I need to COMPLETELY seal the smoke chamber where not even a tiny bit of smoke escapes?
Thanks, in advance,
smoker2013
This is my first post in this marvelous forum. I'm barely a newbie, no, I would call myself a zygote when it comes to smoking. I took the plunge by purchasing an Oklahoma Joe (great audacity for a zygote, no?). After careful reading and research before embarking on my first smoke, I made my smoker air tight by installing a gasket, purchased from BBQ Gaskets, around the chamber and fire box, I seasoned the smoker for 6 hours. I saw a tiny bit of smoke escaping from the lower left of chamber and firebox. I guess that's ok? I've ordered and have yet to receive a charcoal basket and convection plate from New Horizon. Anyway, I tried smoking chicken quarters and...IT WAS A DISASTER! Had a problem maintaining the temperature, didn't turn the qtrs after 1 hour, spray with apple juice, and on and on. To wit, I've discovered this website where there are great blogs that explain how to BBQ and smoke anything. After reading long and hard in this forum, I tried smoking chicken and beef ribs for the 4th; THEY WERE SENSATIONAL! As a newborn smoker, with my sagging diapers, bottle in one hand and BBQ mop in the other, I took my bow before family and friends! :-))) You guys have given me confidence and I appreciate your generosity in sharing your knowledge. Obviously, I won't be able to impart any knowledge about smoking so I will be receiving your great insights as opposed to giving any. The best I can do is express my DEEP appreciation for your knowledge and wisdom.
A couple of questions:
1. Will a convection plate help in controlling temperatures
2. I'm contemplating purchasing a Stoker of BBQ Guru temperature controller. Is that a good idea and do I need to COMPLETELY seal the smoke chamber where not even a tiny bit of smoke escapes?
Thanks, in advance,
smoker2013
