Beginer from upstate NY....

lfaulkner29

Newbie

Original poster

Jun 9, 2014

17

13

• Jun 9, 2014

• #1

Hello All,  My name is Leon.  I just ordered a Char-Broil 30" vertical electric smoker.  I have never smoked anything before and I am open to any and all advice anyone is willing to give me.  My intentions are to smoke, burgers, steaks, ribs, pork loins, veggies, cheese, some fatty's (for sure) and maybe try to make some jerky at some point.  I guess my first mission is to "season" the smoker so any tips on how to do that would be greatly appreciated.

Have a great day,

Leon

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• lfaulkner29
• Jun 9, 2014

 

kc5tpy

Master of the Pit

May 12, 2013

4,352

188

Newark on Trent, United Kingdom.

• Jun 9, 2014

• #2

Hello and Welcome to our addiction.  A word of warning: There is no 12 step program for this one!  Many good folk here with a load of experience that they are more than willing to share.  If you have specific questions just start a thread and someone with experience will be along soon to offer advice.  All info you can provide us with such as smoker type, location and so on will help us answer any questions you may have, and pictures help a bunch.  Spend some time doing some research on the forums, tons of advice and recipes already available there.  Check out Jeff’s 5 day smoking E-Course ( link below ) that will help you get started.  We look forward to your contributions.  Have fun.  Good luck.  Keep Smokin!

Danny

http://www.smoking-meat.com/smoking-basics-ecourse

 

lfaulkner29

Newbie

Original poster

Thread starter

Jun 9, 2014

17

13

• Jun 9, 2014

• #3

Thank you Danny....  And I'm always looking for a new addiction so it looks like I've came to the right place.  I'm familiar with proper "forum etiquette" and while I am a newbie at this I will try and search through previous posts prior to starting a new thread.

 

gary s

Gone but not forgotten. RIP

OTBS Member

Jan 6, 2011

26,255

4,705

• Jun 9, 2014

• #4

Hey Leon, welcome from East Texas, I would follow the directions that came with your smoker on seasoning it. First cook do something simple like chicken, cheap and easy. That way it will give you time to get to know your smoker and make sure it is working properly before you jump in on a long smoke. Let us know.

Gary S

 

lfaulkner29

Newbie

Original poster

Thread starter

Jun 9, 2014

17

13

• Jun 12, 2014

• #5

unfortunately there was no information on seasoning the smoker in the directions.  i have been told to coat it with vegetable oil and run some smoke through it for like an hour so i will try that.  i plan on starting with either a chicken breast or maybe a fatty. will let you all know how it turns out.

 

gary s

Gone but not forgotten. RIP

OTBS Member

Jan 6, 2011

26,255

4,705

• Jun 12, 2014

• #6

Hey Leon,  I don't have an electric but I would think you would want to get it up pretty hot with nothing in it to burn out the factory oils and coatings, let it cool and spray or wipe with vegetable oil and bring it back up to temp and run some smoke through it. (Electric smoker guys may have a better method)    Chicken breast are pretty lean, may want to do some leg quarters, or half's. That way you can see if everything is working the way it is supposed to and you can get a feel for your smoker before you try a long cook.  Double check the temp gauge.

Gary S

 

lfaulkner29

Newbie

Original poster

Thread starter

Jun 9, 2014

17

13

• Jun 12, 2014

• #7

very good points.  will def heat it up empty first then season.  thank you for all your help.

 

lfaulkner29

Newbie

Original poster

Thread starter

Jun 9, 2014

17

13

• Jun 16, 2014

• #8

my first smoke.....  so i did a clean burn then did a quick wash with warm soapy water just to be sure.  let it dry out and rubbed the entire inside with vegetable oil and ran some apple chips through it for about an hour and a half.  i used this time to see how accurate the gauge was that came on the unit and it seemed pretty good.  then i proceeded to cook two fatties and some armadillo eggs.  everything turned out great!!!!!

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• lfaulkner29
• Jun 16, 2014

this is what it looked like after two hours when i put the "eggs" on...

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• lfaulkner29
• Jun 16, 2014

and the finished product...

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• lfaulkner29
• Jun 16, 2014

everything was delicious, and thanks to everyone for all the help!!!