New to smoking and just got me a Royal Oak

[bang4dabuck]

I am going big out of the gate, 2 pork butts. I need to cook low around 215 for 10 - 12 hours. My question is the wood. I got a bag of hickory chips and I've also got a bunch of Hickories and Oak trees around me with dead branches below. If I use the chips do I soak them overnight or throw in dry ? How ofen would I need to reload chips ? Wouldn't a couple of chunks(branches) of wet old hickory/oak smoke up pretty good ?

 

[got14u]

Ok first they are going to tell you to stop by Roll Call it is customary to introduce your self and let us get to know you. Second Most people never soak their chips. You spend a year seasoning them (drying them out) so you don't want to add what just got taken out. As for the branches laying around they should work as long as they are some what old. Some people smoke with wet (new) wood it is all a personal decision. But no need to soak your chips over night and good luck.

 

[bassman]

Welcome to the SMF. Glad to have you aboard.

 

[mballi3011]

My first question is why do you have to smoke at 200 for??? Most of us here smoke around 230-250 specially with butts. I would smok them at 230 till they hit 170 or so ( you do have a thermometerright) then wrap it up in heavy duty foil and then take it 205-210 for pulling then take it out of the smoker and wrap it in some towels and into a dry cooler for atleast an hour or more if possible. Then just pull it and enjoy the fruits of your labor.

 

[bang4dabuck]

cook between 200 -225. This is my first time. I also don't have one of those remote therms (yet). I was going to baby sit the chunks and water but not worry about the meat until 7 or 8 hours past. How long does a 10 pound butt take at those temps ?

 

[bang4dabuck]

directly on element. When I did the break in it worked fine but I had it on high. Now I'm on about 2/3 power and it wasn't smoking. The power knob is a pain. Hopefully your hands are dry and grease free and you don't have arthritis. Still good for $50 fully assembled. Gotta go see if it needs some chips before I run out for a few hours. I'll get the hang of it.