OK...new here, and need to start asking questions

  • Some of the links on this forum allow SMF, at no cost to you, to earn a small commission when you click through and make a purchase. Let me know if you have any questions about this.
SMF is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

jcummins

Newbie
Original poster
Jan 17, 2017
1
10
Forgive me if my questions have already been asked.  I've been on many different forums on different topics, not sure the best search technique on this forum.  Not finding the answers as well as I felt I might. So...gotta ask.

First got a MES 40" 2.5 model....did enough research to know that's the one I wanted.  Got it at Sams, via info from here. 

Did first smoke couple days ago, and it turned out fairly good.

Questions.  Since you want to cook on temperature, not time...it appears unless I'm wrong, you have to set a time to get this unit to fire off.  So do you just throw out say 10 hours, then let it do it's thing?  It's what I did on this first try.

I started with ribs. To get bark...from what I'm reading you want to baste??????,,,,but you want to leave the smoker close to let it's do it's thing.  Can't do both, it seems to me. On this first try I did the 3-2-1 procedure...they were tender.  I did not baste in the final hour with sauce, but instead use the rub in apple juice...and I only did it once at the start of the hour.  Is there a better way for the bark.  What's the opinion on this 3-2-1 procedure.  It seems to work...but is there a better way?

Did chicken thighs at the same time....their internal time got to 165, before the first 3 hours was reached.  I pulled them, but don't feel they was done.  Wrapped in foil, let them sit, then put them back in for another hour cooking in the final 3-2-1 step.  Do you do chicken and pork at the same time, how to you managed the difference cooking temps for these meats.  And....that 165 chicken is done at that temp, did not seem to work for me. 

Already had Maverick temp...used it and the MES probe, they both where spot on with each other. The meat did not last long either....looks like I'll be doing more here fairly quick.  
 
Welcome to the forum JC!

Glad to have you with us!

You don't need to baste the ribs to get good bark.

I smoke my ribs to temp, not time. And finish them on a hot grill to get the bark.

Chicken thighs need to go to 175-180 before they are tender & juicy.

Put the ribs on a couple of hours before you put the thighs on & they will be done about the same time.

Al
 
texas.gif
  Good afternoon and welcome to the forum from a cloudy and cool day here in East Texas, and the best site on the web. Lots of                        great people with tons of information on just about everything.

        Gary
 
SmokingMeatForums.com is reader supported and as an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases.

Hot Threads

Clicky