Just bought a smoker, now what do I do?

[jcurrado]

I just purchased a Masterbuilt 30-inch electric smoker and I am excited to use it for the first time but I have no idea what are good recipes or how to cook any types of meat or chicken.  I wanted to smoke a tri-tip to start but I really dont know where to start.  Does anyone know of any good books, recipes, and/or rubs to use or to learn by?

thanks!

 

[so ms smoker]

  I would suggest if you want to do tri-tip, type that into the search bar. It should give you many threads to look at. I can't help you with it because I have never done a tri-tip. When youi get started, be sure to show us some Q-view

 !

  Mike

 

[vegassmokeout]

 to SMF and happy smoking.  Tri tip is easy.  You could do some baby backs.  Use the 2-2-1 method.  Its hard to mess that up.  Check out some rub recipes too. 

 

[hebby]

Kosher salt

Pepper

Garlic Powder

Onion Powder

I don't pre mix the rub on these, just sprinkle on salt, grind fresh pepper on, sprinkle on the other stuff. Let it rest for an hour or so to warm up a bit towards room temp. Put it in your smoker at 225 for a few hours. Take it out when it gets to your desired Internal Temp. I like to place a drip pan underneath it and catch the drippings before I take the Tri Tip out I add a little better than bullion beef, a packet of Aus Jus mix and a little water to the pan and whisk it together the place the meat in foil and pour the aus jus over it and let it rest in a small ice chest for an hour or so all wrapped up. After resting you are good to go. Make sure you let it rest even if you  don't do the aus jus thing.You can always add stuff to the drip pan like sliced onion seasonings etc. to add some more flavor if you want but basic seems to work well for me. Enjoy and low and slow is key, You can also trim the fat cap off, just leave a little on and it will melt all over it. 

IT 130-135 med. rare

IT 140-145 Med.

 

[illinoishokie]

Season it. Do a 90 minute smoke at about 220° with the smoker empty. Don't shine meat in a virgin electric smoker or you can get some funky flavors.

I started with ribs and chicken. Will be scaling Mt Brisket next Tuesday.

Best part of learning to smoke, you get to eat your mistakes.

 

[kryinggame]

So, you bought a smoker but don't know what or how to smoke?

Try using that neat function on the top called Search

 

[shoneyboy]

Welcome to SMF.png

• shoneyboy
• Oct 31, 2012

 

[s2k9k]

Like everybody said, figure out what you want, tri-tip would be good and pretty easy, then search for recipes and tips.

When you get a minute would you stop by "Roll Call" and introduce yourself so we can give you a big SMF Welcome, Thanks!

 

[jarjarchef]

Welcome to SMF.....

You need to season the smoker before use. IllinosHokie has you pointed correctly..... If you have the one with the window. Place an oven thermometer inside to compare what it shows and what you have it set at. The MES have a history of not being accurate. I would also do a search on the forum for the MES and look at what others have done with theirs.

Start with things you are comfortable cooking in an oven. I would not run out and get expensive cut of meat to start with, maybe do some chicken wings. They are cheap and you can scatter them on the different grates to see how the temp will very in different areas and how the chicken will react.

The MES is a good starter smoker. Just take time and do a little homework and things will progress at their own pace....

 

[rdknb]

Welcome to SMF,   Lots of good advice above.

 

[mike johnson]

You need to get Jeff's cook book.ITS AMAZING!!! Everyone will love your food with those recipees. Dutch's wicked baked beans and the meatloaf are my favorite so far.

 

[jcurrado]

Thanks everyone for your awesome tips and welcome greetings.  I will take all of your suggestions!

 

[jcurrado]

where do I find his cookbook?  what is Jeffs last name?

 

[pit 4 brains]

I'm a little late coming in to this one, but like I advise all new smokers / bbqers, take it slow, do a couple of something of the same kind. If you start with try-tips (which I know are popular out here) then do two or three in a row. Then do something else, like ribs, and do those a few times. Repetition is the key to learning how to run the smoker. Once you get to know the smoker, then you'll have a better angle of attack on the different recipes. 

Things don't work out sometimes so don't get discouraged early. Use this forum, it's chuck full of info and everyone here is more than willing to help... Good luck and enjoy the new smoker.

 

[hebby]

I got his book on amazon.com. It's called smoking meat. The recipes are great. Making dutch's beans as we speak.

 

[kryinggame]

I'm a little late coming in to this one, but like I advise all new smokers / bbqers, take it slow, do a couple of something of the same kind. If you start with try-tips (which I know are popular out here) then do two or three in a row. Then do something else, like ribs, and do those a few times. Repetition is the key to learning how to run the smoker. Once you get to know the smoker, then you'll have a better angle of attack on the different recipes. 

Things don't work out sometimes so don't get discouraged early. Use this forum, it's chuck full of info and everyone here is more than willing to help... Good luck and enjoy the new smoker.

This is excellent and true advice.  I've been using a MES smoker and I'm comfortable and confident using it.  I just scored a WSM smoker and it feels like I'm starting over.  Things are a bit different because you're using charcoal and wood. In the MES, you're using electricity and if you're smart, Todd's AMNPS.