First Timer!

[Boldsmoke]

Hey all! First timer here- living in Virginia right outside DC. I’ve been thinking about getting a smoker for a long time now. I found a master forge vertical on Facebook last week and couldnt resist! As soon as I loaded it up my car smelt amazing from all the previous owner’s past cooks. I was hoping to get a few dampers on it to increase airflow but couldn’t wait to give it a try. Had my first smoke today and all in all it went pretty well. Just charcoal and hickory chips. Used water/apple cider vinegar in the water pan and same to mist. Made salmon, sausage, and a few short ribs. I guess I was hot and fast smoking- kept the built in gage at 300° as consistently as I could. The salmon definitely came out the best! Smoked for 1-1.5 hrs. Sausage was great too (but it was presmoked so that was a bit of a cheat). Ribs definitely need some work.. smoked for about 3.5 hours pulled out at 210° internal and thermometer slid in and out like butter. But I think I over brined/seasoned. Only brined for about an hour but didn’t remove any salt before my dry rub, is that something I should have done? Or just less salt for longer on the brine next time?

One last question- my smoke seemed pretty heavy at times particularly on the ribs. I did those last and I think I was getting too giddy/trying to raise the temp too much. is the smoke something I should manage by working on how much charcoal/wood chips I’m adding in? Or would dampers help regulate that/ are dampers mostly for temp regulation?

Over all I was SO happy and already thinking about what I’ll cook up next! Can’t wait to keep learning too!

 

[GaryHibbert]

I'd say your first smoke turned out pretty darned good!!
The salmon looks VERY good, and there's nothing wrong with twice smoked sausage--I've done that on occasion myself.
If the ribs were too salty, then next time rinse them off when you take them out of the brine. Soak them for an hour in ice water--that will draw some of the salt out. If they still turn out too salty, then the next time soak them for 2 hours. Change the water after 1 hour.
Gary

 

[kruizer]

Welcome to SMF from Minnesota.

 

[Blues1]

Welcome from SC!

 

[Boldsmoke]

I'd say your first smoke turned out pretty darned good!!
The salmon looks VERY good, and there's nothing wrong with twice smoked sausage--I've done that on occasion myself.
If the ribs were too salty, then next time rinse them off when you take them out of the brine. Soak them for an hour in ice water--that will draw some of the salt out. If they still turn out too salty, then the next time soak them for 2 hours. Change the water after 1 hour.
Gary

Great! I’ll definitely wash em off and give them a soak next time! I know I usually under season when cooking so I think I went a overboard with the ribs but lesson learned!

 

[SmokinVOLfan]

Wow for your first time smoking I would say that is a success! That all looks really good especially the salmon and ribs! There are so many different ways to smoke all the different cuts it just takes some time playing around with different things like temperature, seasoning, wrapping/no wrapping, etc...to get them to your liking!

 

[Inkbirdbbq]

Welcome abroad!