Help out a rookie?

[jpekin]

hello, I'm a rookie smokin machine. I got a lot to learn, but my ECB smoked some ok chicken today. I found out I need alot of hot coals to keep a steady temp, but keeping an extra fire did come in handy.the problem was my fires were to small.(I think) my temps fluctuated to much for to long.anyone got any advice for a rookie?

 

[richtee]

Smoking poultry is different than pork or beef...or most anything else for that matter. It's best done at much higher temps...300-350 range. I'm speaking whole birds... skinless breasts, etc. can be done "low an' slow" but usually ain't. Hard to tell what the deal was...what was your fuel... windy... etc. Fill us in. Go to Roll call forum and give us the particulars...and
Welcome to SMF!

 

[glued2it]

you say fluctuating, What ranges are u having? low to normal? or are they getting high?

Alot of mistakes are adjusting vents too much and too quickly.
I found that setting temp before you smoke tends to be more promising.
Every smoke is a learning experiance. Like most things your new to, trial and error is your biggest fundementals.
when you burn coals for a long period of time, the ashes can choke the air flow. Sometimes when this happens you can lift up on fire grid to put more air space between ash and coals.
I never used a brinkman but I hpoe my 2 cents will help you in the future.

Keep at it! It gets better every time.