SupercenterChef got what I was trying to put across and said it better. How new is new? Should we assume that person has used sodium nitrite before and just answer the specific question asked? Being in the U.K. has opened my eyes to a whole new culture. When I came here 13 years ago I couldn't find a decent smoker, small grills with no lid was it. I had to send to Germany for my offset and had my Dad mail me an OLD Smokey. The country has now changed. The Brits are gettin with the program and are really eager to learn and try. Many are now doin great stuff on their own. I do find some wanting to walk before they run. Their total experience is grilling some burgers once a year if that. They were surprised I cooked chicken legs on the smoker without pre-cooking in the oven. Their's had always turned out burned and raw. Couple of my friends have seen me pull a packer from the offset and figure if that dumb redneck can do it, lets go get a bag of charcoal. "New" CAN mean REALLY "New" is the only point I was ( badly ) trying to put across. In their eagerness to try new things, we just want them to do it safely. That's all I meant about making it look too easy. I NEVER meant any disrespect to this site or anyone here. I find it to be friendly and a GREAT site for sharing info.