newbie having trouble...help

[fisherwoman]

I bought a smoker from a friend and it didnt have instructions...So I am needing to know how to regulate the temp..I am curing it as we speak. Having trouble adjusting the temp.. The previous owner had all the holes covered up with aluminum foil. Can anyone tell me why? And also where can I go on this website to find out about times and temps for meats..Thanks and am looking forward to sharing recipes and getting advice from fellow smokers...thanks

 

[sumosmoke]

First question, what type of smoker are you using? Is it propane, charcoal, or electric?

Second - please hop into the Roll Call section and introduce yourself to the group! We always like to hear about our new members and what kind of rig they're smoking on, where they're from, and how much smoking meat experience do ya have? Just helps us get ta know ya, and we can help ya a bit more effectively too!

 

[seboke]

Hi fisherwoman, welcome to our smokin family! Need a bit more info for anyone to be able to help. Type / size of smoker? If ya don't know, post a pic of it. Gnances are someone in here has what you have and can give detailed assistance.

 

[fisherwoman]

It is a brinkman horizontal charcoal smoker..

 

[sumosmoke]

Awesome, that's the exact same type of smoker I have, and several others as well on the site (commonly referred to as an ecb).

What type of fuel are you using for the fire? Lump hardwood or briquettes? Did you fill up the entire charcoal pan and get it set on fire? If so, that's quite a bit of fuel in that thing and temps will spike rather quickly.

Next time start with a chimney-full of coals/briquettes, and add to a few raw coals. You'll be adding fuel as needed, rather than trying to take back what's unburnt.

 

[tn_bbq]

Most meat will need about 60 to 90 minutes per pound to cook at a temperature of 225. The best way to tell if a piece of meat is cooked properly is to use a meat thermometer.

Keep hunting and reading, you're sure to find several recipes that you can use.

 

[agmeyer]

I would reccommend going to Mennard's; Lowe's; WalMart, etc and finding a similar smoker and getting a photocopy of the instructions by asking customer service. Just tell them your smoker didn't have the instructions or you must have lost them. Generally good people everywhere and buy something while you are there. Welcome from Sedalia, MO.

 

[richoso1]

Thank you sumosmoke.