Hey Fellers!

[papagreer]

Hey SMF,

My name is Chris and I will be purchasing my first smoker over the weekend. I decided on the Brinkmann Vertical Smoker http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...splay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053  to be my first. After reading thread after thread about smokers and how each one has their own personality, I will be modding this with the grill wok to start out. 

Just wanted to say hey to everyone and say thanks for all the information that I have come across over the last 3 weeks as a member. You guys are awesome and I look forward to my first smoke (with Qview of course !) 

One question I do have though, What meat would be a good one to start with? Im thinking a pork picnic or a butt. 

I will be using lump charcoal and a mix of hickory and apple wood. 

Thanks guys!

Chris

Raleigh, NC

 

[pineywoods]

Chris welcome to SMF glad you decided to join us. Congrats on the new smoker purchase plan. You'll find lots of good info and some great recipes here. I would also suggest singing up for Jeff's 5 Day Ecourse its free and has some really good info. As for a first smoke when you are seasoning it take a little time to work on temp control once you have that down then a butt of some chicken is a good start. Since the butt is such a long smoke maybe try a fatty at the same time for a snack along the way both are easy and forgiving. Have fun and happy smoking

 

[papagreer]

Yes, I took Jeff's E-Course about 2 weeks ago and I learned a bunch from that. I also have been reading about how good his rub and sauce recipes are, so I think I am going to have to purchase those

 Thanks for the suggestions and I think a fatty is going to be in the mix for sure. Those sound awesome !

 

[bravery]

Hey Chris,

Welcome to the SMF (Smoking Meat Forums) ... there are a lot of great people here (with the exception of me... I am a complete SOB... thankfully I'm the only one!) I hope you enjoy this site as much as I do! I'm really new to smoking but I love it! I just bought the Lowe's Master Forge Vertical smoker (it's similar to what you have ... only better... see, I told you I was a SOB

).

I'm glad you took Jeff's e-class. I learned a lot of things from it. The good thing is there are so many people here and everyone does thing differently.  Personally, I like that.

Well, please know that I wish you the best! I hope you participate with the group!

Brad

 

[meateater]

Welcome, that looks like a good smoker, I actually have looked at them. I agree a pork butt or shoulder is a good start, very forgiving. Two most important things, dont trust the factory therm and get yourself a chefs therm and calibrate it. Better yet get a wireless electronic therm and you can watch the temps from the couch. A chefs therm will do in a pinch, cheap and accurate after you calibrate them. Also don't overdo the smoke TBS thin blue smoke is the way. Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[eman]

Howdy from cajun land,

 B4 going head over heels w/ your new brinkman ,check out some of the mods for it.

 These mods will make it so much easier for you to maintain steady temps and make it  all round easier to produce great smokes.

 The pork butt is a very forgiving piece of meat to smoke , Very easy to smoke.But you are looking at 12 to 15 hours for an average size butt.

 If you want a faster first smoke go for chicken , meat loaf or fatties .

 

[beer-b-q]

 

Hi Chris, Welcome to SMF, Glad to have you with us.
 

This is the place to learn, lots of good info and helpful friendly Members.
 

For those of you new to Smoking, be sure to check out Jeff's 5 Day Smoking Basics eCourse.

Click Here it's "FREE" ... 5 Day eCourseE

 

[mballi3011]

First off Welcome Chris to SMF. You'll like it here for there are alot of really good folks here that would just love to help you with just about anything to do with smoking. Now there are alot of proven recipes for some amazing things here too. So if you need sign up for the E-Course it's free and it will give you the basics of smoking and some good methods to use also. So the next big thing for you to do is go out and get you something to smoke and if you happen to have any questions just post it here and we will be happy to answer them for you.

Welcome To Your New Addiction      

 

[squirrel]

Hi Chris and welcome aboard! This is a great place and I think you will find an answer to just about anything concerning smoking right here. The first thing I smoked was a pork butt. They are very forgiving and enjoying your very first pulled pork sammie is so awesome. Glad to have you here and I am looking forward to your first Q-View!

 

[papagreer]

Thanks for all the warm welcomes. The weekend can not come fast enough so I can pick up my new toy! Will post after the seasoning and let you know how the temps went as well as any questions I may have concerning any issues that may (or may not) have come up. 

 

[richoso1]

Hello Chris, and thanks for joining us at the SMF. Sopmetimes taking slower, shorter steps, can be an easier way to break into the smoking game. It''s all good my friend.

 

[deannc]

Welcome aboard, Chris!  Glad to have another Carolinian on here!  As you've already found there is a ton of information here on SMF and some great folks who are always more than willing to help out.

I'd recommend picking up a digital probe at Lowes...about $15 and they're Taylors, which are pretty reliable.  Wally World carries some that are fairly reliable as well but cost just about the same.  I've found being able to accurately monitor the chamber (factory gauge is normally not accurate) and internal meat temp are key to some great smokin'!  Well, ok, right up there with be able to maintain good temps, a good rub, hold'en your tongue just right etc....  Eventually a good score would be something like a dual probe Maverick ET-73 for about $40.

Happy Smokin'!  Looking forward to that Qview!