First smoke ever, using my MES and SMF tips.

[NATidefan]

So I got my first smoker a few weeks ago. Walmart had the Bluetooth MES 30" on clearance sale for 140. After purchasing I came across this forum, decided to get AMNPS, and did the Mailbox Mod.

I already had a Boston butt frozen and decided to pick up another and vacuum seal all the extra. Ended up with a picnic shoulder instead for about 1.17 a pound. (I'll be doing picnics from now on I think, less fatty and came out more like BBQ I'm used to, but both were wonderful).

I followed bears step by step and it was very helpful. Mine were about 9 pounds and took longer obviously (12 hours total. Started at 225, wrapped at 160 and bumped it to 240 and then cooked to 203).

Only issue I had was my AMNPS went out at the turn after smoking for about 5 hours. Loading issue?

Otherwise it went awesome...Thanks so much for all the info on here!!!

Here are the pics! Oh, and the slaw is hot slaw. I've posted a recipe on here for it if anyone is interested.

 

[wbf610]

Looks good from here!!!

 

[SmokinAl]

Excellent looking PP!
Great way to break in a new smoker!
Congrats on making the carousel on your first smoke ever!
Al

 

[tropics]

Nice job on the shoulder pull.
Richie

 

[GaryHibbert]

Sure looks like your first smoke was a total success!! Great job and congratulations.
POINT
Gary

 

[NATidefan]

Thanks, it was delicious and my girlfriend was super happy. Lol. Like I said only issue I had was the AMNPS going out at the turn.

 

[tallbm]

Thanks, it was delicious and my girlfriend was super happy. Lol. Like I said only issue I had was the AMNPS going out at the turn.

Hi there and welcome!

Congrats on the successful 1st smoke!
Make sure your AMNPS rows are packed tight to the top of the row. They don't need to be overflowing just packed tightly to the brim. Also if you microwave your pellets for 1 min, mix them around and let sit for 2 min, then microwave them again for 1 min, you can remove any undetectable moisture/humidity in the pellets and they stay lit much much better.

I think if you do those two things and they don't help then it may be an airflow issue. Just try a few things and see what does/doesn't work until you work the kinks out. Once you are good you should be set for life :)

 

[ab canuck]

Hello and welcome, PP looks great, And congrats on the making the carousel as well. Great looking smoker!!!

 

[Bearcarver]

Looks Great Tide Fan!!:)
Beautiful Job!!
Like.

Bear

 

[NATidefan]

Hi there and welcome!

Congrats on the successful 1st smoke!
Make sure your AMNPS rows are packed tight to the top of the row. They don't need to be overflowing just packed tightly to the brim. Also if you microwave your pellets for 1 min, mix them around and let sit for 2 min, then microwave them again for 1 min, you can remove any undetectable moisture/humidity in the pellets and they stay lit much much better.

I think if you do those two things and they don't help then it may be an airflow issue. Just try a few things and see what does/doesn't work until you work the kinks out. Once you are good you should be set for life :)

I dried them in the oven for about an hour. I think my issue was that they weren't tightly packed. Thanks for info!

 

[tallbm]

I dried them in the oven for about an hour. I think my issue was that they weren't tightly packed. Thanks for info!

Anytime :)

 

[GATOR240]

Looks really good. Is it possible to post the recipe for your "hot slaw"?

 

[Central PA Cowboy]

Looks great. Also followed Bear's steps and came out with a very good butt. Started a diet today and looking at this does not help.

 

[lovethemeats]

That looked awesome from here. Nothing better than slaw on PP. Makes my mouth water from looking at it. Points to you

 

[NATidefan]

Looks really good. Is it possible to post the recipe for your "hot slaw"?

I've never really written the recipe down. Just add a bit of this and a bit of that... But it's probably really close to these amounts.

Hot slaw

1 medium head of finely shredded green cabbage.
1 cup Finely Grated carrot
1/2 cup of finely Grated onion
2 tsp Paprika
2 tsp Red cayenne pepper (or about 1/3 of a finely diced habenero)
2 tsp Salt
2 tsp of black pepper
1 tsp of garlic powder
3/4 cup of Ketchup
3/4 cup of French’s yellow mustard
1 cup White vinegar
(1/4 cup of mayo - optional)

Mix it all together in a stove pot, then simmer it til the cabbage, onions, and carrots soften and all of the green color of the cabbage is gone. Colors should blend and it will still have a bit of a crunch.

It stores really well, for at least half a year in a mason jar or whatever in the fridge. So I usually do a big batch. It's great on hot dogs and pinto beans.

It's based on a place called Bunyuns BBQ in Florence Alabama that's famous for it.

Hope you enjoy!

 

[GATOR240]

Thanks for posting it. Will be making a batch soon.

 

[Rings Я Us]

You must be stoked now to try more stuff. Chuck roast is good like that...
Congrats on the smoker with mods and a. Nice meal!

 

[trillo15]

Looks from here like it turned out really good!

 

[lovethemeats]

Damn - come back to take another look at that thing. Never had PP with slaw until end of summer of 2016. But what it adds to the sandwich. I would never go back without it. Simple plate of chips,pickle and the main attraction.

 

[NATidefan]

Thanks for posting it. Will be making a batch soon.

If it's not orange enough add more ketchup, seems like I always end up adding more ketchup than mustard.