Stoked and ready to go!

valien · Nov 20, 2009

Alrighty,

I'm stoked but right now at a semi-loss on - 'What do I smoke first?' I've read numerous threads and not sure if I should go for ribs...pulled pork...brisket...chicken...ah! Decisions! Decisions!

My setup -

Smoke Hollow 30169G smoker -

Oneida Digital Probe Thermometer from Bed, Bath & Beyond

Gotta get some wood so will hit HD or Lowes and pick up some Mesquite, Hickory or both! (or whatever else I see) :)

Now to determine - what meat to smoke? :D

Any easy beginning favorites that won't take 12-15 hours? I'd like to start in the morning (prob Sat. morning sometime - not this weekend in a few weeks) and have it ready for dinner that night.

Ah, love this site. I'm starved.

~V

flatbroke · Nov 20, 2009

do em all you got room

Congrats on the smoker

walle · Nov 20, 2009

Valien,
Congratulations on your enthusiasm! Looks like you've got some good equipment and this is definitely the place for good advice.
Regarding your first smoke, I would recommend either a rack of ribs, or a small pork shoulder. Pork tends to be much more forgiving than some other meats, and there is enough fat in the shoulder that you won't have to worry as much about drying it out as you will with a pork loin or thick cut chops. I've also found ribs to be easy and reliable following the 3-2-1 method described in the forum. I would recommend using that as a starting place, then as you do more and more, you will find how you and your family like them. My only other comment will be that both hickory and mesquite produce strong smoke. Hickory is my favorite, I've just learned to tone it down depending on what I'm smoking or how long I'm smoking it. Good luck. Share some pictures with us once you've made your choice.

Tracey

old poi dog · Nov 20, 2009

Hi Valien,

+1 on the rack of ribs. 3-2-1 for the beef, or 2-2-1 on the pork. While you're doing the ribs you could throw in some breakfast sausage for a snack...

fishawn · Nov 20, 2009

FATTY!..... Better Yet, 3 or 4 of them!

valien · Nov 20, 2009

the Fatty is definitely on the agenda. Ribs might be a winner. Hmmm... cannot. wait. soon. enough.

treegje · Nov 20, 2009

I would go for chicken
that is the least difficult
rub with olive oil ,and then rub with your favorite rub
smoke to an internal temp of 165/170
and they are ready

much smoke fun

valien · Nov 20, 2009

What is everyone's thoughts on brats? I love grilling brats on my grill. Smoking..how long would that take? 2 hours or so? Man..I'm starved thinking about all this eating goodness.

bman62526 · Nov 20, 2009

When I'm "back home" visiting my parents, I always make a point to pick up some brats made fresh at a grocery store in town...

I smoke them for 2 hours at 250° Then, I finish them on the gas grill...that part only takes 10 - 15 mon.

Burgers are also fantastic on the smoker!

I put them on a cookie sheet so they don't fall apart...and those I only smoke for 1 hour.

Then 5 min. on the grill!

ronp · Nov 20, 2009

Chicken thighs.

fire it up · Nov 20, 2009

I would say some brats, fatties, maybe some ABTs and some chicken wings. None of those should take more than a total of 3 hours to smoke.
And besides
Brats are awesome on the smoker!

Mmmmmmm........

pigcicles · Nov 20, 2009

Look in the mirror and talk to yourself about bbq. Think of all the good things that come from the smoke. Then think of all the good things you like best. Now close your eyes and out loud say what you see. THAT is what you need to do.

If it's ribs great. Brisket even better. Pork for pull pork - oh yeah! You can do all of these things in less than 9 hrs and have a great end product. It's all in the method you choose.

Personally I think you should smoke some SPAM

tn_bbq · Nov 20, 2009

Chicken, sausage, and fatties all make for a good "first time outing."

They're quick, easy & cheap.

mr mac · Nov 20, 2009

I like ribs or a Boston Butt for a firsrt round as they are both quite forgiving. Remember, smoke to temperature, not time unless you're doing the 3-2-1 for St Louis style ribs or 2-2-1 for baby backs. Nice looking smoker! Let us know how it performs!

schmoke · Nov 20, 2009

Go for the ribs. You can't beat em. Nice smoker BTW.

gooose53 · Nov 20, 2009

Did anyone mention a meatloaf???

puercoesmiamo · Nov 21, 2009

Pork Butt and Ribs

puercoesmiamo · Nov 21, 2009

lol, serious? That actually sounds good though. Add some cheese

mballi3011 · Nov 21, 2009

Yes you are addicted for sure. If I were you I would start with maybe a fattie easy quick and the hardest part is the making and rolling it. Or you can start with a pork butt they are easy and for a longer smoke you will have alot of room for learning and it is a forgivening hunk of meat. So go get something to smoke and the main thing to remember is don't forget the Q. cause remeber:
We are the kids and you have the candy!!!

valien · Nov 21, 2009

Well, smoker is assembled and 'seasoning' as I type this. Right now using some Mesquite from Home Depot and doing a burn-in for about an hour (per directions). Man, with nothing in the smoker it still smells really really good.

So far pretty impressed with the Smoke Hollow. It's holding steady about 250 on low with the damper wide open. Not sure how I'll be able to get it lower.

Now to buy some meat once done and find some good wood! (Apple, cherry, etc.)

yay!

Stoked and ready to go!

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