First smoke, WSM , TVWB beginners chicken

[Rathog23]

With input from the members of this group and after much pondering, I decided to go with the WSM. It helped that the KC BBQ store had their spring sale this weekend so, I got the WSM for $249.
Also, after reading the columns here as well as other sources, I chose not to season the smoker first and got Ember briquettes instead of Kingsford. The Embers were on sale at the local HD fo $9.98 for a double 20# . Kingsford was $14.98.
Went with the beginner chicken recipe on TVWB along with some PMB Barbecue rub that I got as a free sample at the American Royal a couple of years ago.
I didn't have a brush/mop for the sauce at the 45 minute mark so, I did the best I could with a wooden spoon. Wood was two chunks of apple and one of hickory.
A couple of changes I would make would be less wood for one chicken and obtaining a brush or something for better control of the sauce so it doesn't burn so much. The yardbird seemed a trifle over smoked but still delicious.
I think I'm hooked :-)

 

[jaxgatorz]

It looks awesome !!!

 

[JJS]

Nice work, welcome to the addiction!

 

[ristau5741]

looks good... a couple of bucks, and a visit to the local home improvement store, making your own mop is easy and cheap, search the internet for instructions and parts list.

 

[HowlingDog]

Good job, looks tasty. I love my WSM. I filled the water pan with ceramic charcoal briquettes to act as a heat sink and with a full load of charcoal, I can go 15 hours, enough for an overnight brisket or pulled pork!! They are very versatile and easy to use. Enjoy your new toy.

 

[gmc2003]

Fine looking plate of chicken you got. If I'm going to sauce chicken then I do it at the very end of the smoke just enough to set the sauce and not burn it. Did you choke your WSM down to save the unburnt coals? Saves a few spondulicks in charcoal costs.

Point for sure
Chris

 

[SmokinAl]

What a great looking meal & the chicken looks delicious!
Love the color!!
Al

 

[Rathog23]

Fine looking plate of chicken you got. If I'm going to sauce chicken then I do it at the very end of the smoke just enough to set the sauce and not burn it. Did you choke your WSM down to save the unburnt coals? Saves a few spondulicks in charcoal costs.

Point for sure
Chris

This being my first attempt I pretty much went by the recipe :http://virtualweberbullet.com/chicken6.html

 

[cornman]

That’s one fine looking chicken!!!

 

[yankee2bbq]

Great job on this!

 

[Rathog23]

looks good... a couple of bucks, and a visit to the local home improvement store, making your own mop is easy and cheap, search the internet for instructions and parts list.

One of the questions I have is how to clean a traditional rag mop ( r-a-g-g-m-o-p-p :-). A search on this esteemed site shows that some prefer a silicone brush or some kind of stainless steel chain thingy that I haven't found a picture of.
Other say the get the cheap ones at a dollar store and just pitch'em.

 

[wbf610]

With input from the members of this group and after much pondering, I decided to go with the WSM. It helped that the KC BBQ store had their spring sale this weekend so, I got the WSM for $249.
Also, after reading the columns here as well as other sources, I chose not to season the smoker first and got Ember briquettes instead of Kingsford. The Embers were on sale at the local HD fo $9.98 for a double 20# . Kingsford was $14.98.
Went with the beginner chicken recipe on TVWB along with some PMB Barbecue rub that I got as a free sample at the American Royal a couple of years ago.
I didn't have a brush/mop for the sauce at the 45 minute mark so, I did the best I could with a wooden spoon. Wood was two chunks of apple and one of hickory.
A couple of changes I would make would be less wood for one chicken and obtaining a brush or something for better control of the sauce so it doesn't burn so much. The yardbird seemed a trifle over smoked but still delicious.
I think I'm hooked :-)

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Congrats on the smoker and the first cook. Those are pretty big wood chunks for a short cook. Chop them in half next time for the chicken.

 

[Rathog23]

Congrats on the smoker and the first cook. Those are pretty big wood chunks for a short cook. Chop them in half next time for the chicken.

Yep. One lesson learned on this - less wood for one chicken. Still tasted great and I'm amazed how easy the whole process actually was.