What's the Best Way to Start out

jraiona

Smoke Blower

Original poster

Dec 26, 2014

87

12

Louisville KY (by way of Atlanta and NY)

• Dec 29, 2014

• #1

I am wanting to to start smoking. I am considering purchasing the Amaze N Tube smoker and using it on my gas grill. I've also considered getting a dedicated smoker but am not sure if electric would be right for me. What would be the best way to start out? Any input would be greatly appreciated.

 

usmgolfer

Newbie

Jun 5, 2014

19

10

Cleveland, TN

• Dec 29, 2014

• #2

It is addicting! I'm not a big time smoker but definitely enjoy it after catching the bug a few years ago on other peoples' smokers. This last summer I wanted to do it, but I wanted to go and do it "right" with a charcoal smoker blah blah blah. Now looking back I wish I had purchased an electric/propane smoker and learned from there. Make it easy on yourself to start as far as controlling temperature in various conditions

 

bear55

Master of the Pit

Jan 7, 2013

1,002

30

South Mississippi

• Dec 29, 2014

• #3

I own a Rec Tec electric pellet smoker and can't say enough good things about the unit.  It's temps are exact and the machine will hold your set temp in almost any weather.  As long as you have pellets and power the unit will smoke.  I recommend the electric smoker.

 

gary s

Gone but not forgotten. RIP

OTBS Member

Jan 6, 2011

26,255

4,705

• Dec 29, 2014

• #4

Look through the different forums and post, maybe that will help you decide what best fits your needs

Gary

 

bluewhisper

Master of the Pit

OTBS Member

Apr 1, 2014

3,587

455

Columbus Ohio

• Dec 29, 2014

• #5

Welcome to he board! One thing to consider is whether you want to tend the smoker closely, or set-and-forget which many here do - you could start smoking something in the evening, go to bed for the night, and find a finished smoke in the morning.

 

dannylang

Master of the Pit

Sep 19, 2014

1,021

150

Amelia VA, but born and raised in macon georgia (g

• Dec 29, 2014

• #6

hello Jraiona, i have owned almost every kind of smoker out there, electric,gas, wood burning etc. my advice to you is to get one your can afford, and learn to cook on it.this forum is the best, you can find knowledge from a whole lot of people with a lot of experience. if you need help on anything. take pictures and post your problems, and they will be someone willing and able to help you. good luck

 

jraiona

Smoke Blower

Original poster

Thread starter

Dec 26, 2014

87

12

Louisville KY (by way of Atlanta and NY)

• Dec 29, 2014

• #7

Thank you

 

jraiona

Smoke Blower

Original poster

Thread starter

Dec 26, 2014

87

12

Louisville KY (by way of Atlanta and NY)

• Dec 29, 2014

• #8

I am looking for something fairly easy to start.

 

dannylang

Master of the Pit

Sep 19, 2014

1,021

150

Amelia VA, but born and raised in macon georgia (g

• Dec 29, 2014

• #9

wal mart sells a small smoker by char grill, its a small offset smoker. i owned one and its a very good starter smoker, at a low price.but if you want to start off with a smoker that will last you a long time, lowes and home depot sells bigger and better models.if price is not a concern, you can order you a lang smoker.

get you a charcoal starter, and fill it up with charcoal, use newspaper, or a starter cube to start your charcoal. let burn till it turns white around the edges, put charcoal in the smoke box adding small, pieces of wood to the smoker to get up to desired temp.  let smoker burn until just a little blue smoke comes from the chimney, add food, then adjust temp by the air dampers, add wood as needed to keep temp up. cook until internal temp of food is as desired.please look up internal temp of foods for safety consumption.

 

mr t 59874

Master of the Pit

SMF Premier Member

Jun 9, 2011

2,630

266

Trout Creek, Montana

• Dec 29, 2014

• #10

Welcome to the forum,  If you are completely new to smoking.  Try placing wood chips in a heavy duty aluminum pouch with a few holes punched in it into your grill.  You can expand from that or your grill me possibly be all you need.

Tom

 

bluewhisper

Master of the Pit

OTBS Member

Apr 1, 2014

3,587

455

Columbus Ohio

• Dec 29, 2014

• #11

get you a charcoal starter

Click to expand...

Just to clarify, that's also called a chimney - most people swear by them.

 

dannylang

Master of the Pit

Sep 19, 2014

1,021

150

Amelia VA, but born and raised in macon georgia (g

• Dec 29, 2014

• #12

 I HAVE ALSO USED A ELECTRIC SMOKER, A BOX TYPE. VERY GOOD SMOKER. YOU MIGHT WANT TO GIVE THAT A TRY, VERY INEXPENSIVE. I KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE ONLY USE STICK BURNERS. BUT THIS IS A GOOD STARTER. SET THE TEMP AND TIME AND FORGET ABOUT IT, ONLY ADD CHIPS EVERY NOW AND THEN.