I got a little interested in smoking last summer while visiting relatives in Oregon, I had caught some salmon and he smoked a batch for me. I was impressed!
Last fall I found this forum while doing a search for a simple inexpensive smoker that I could use around the house and haul with me on my summer ventures to the NW with smoking fish in the campgrounds I stay in the primary objective.
On "Black Friday" I ordered a MES 30 and it all started. As I had already done quite a bit of reading here before hand, I knew I needed a AMNPS so I ordered one of those and some pellets from Todd. Also from reading here I knew I needed a good thermometer so I ordered up a Maverick 732! And I also order "Jeffs Rub" recipes off SMF!
My first smoke was bacon wrapped chicken thighs from a recipe off SMF, I was impressed with how juicy they were. Since I have done pork butt (2x), spare ribs, stuffed jalapeno's (cream cheese and smoked salmon), stuffed green peppers, SQUIBS mac and cheese (2x) and am preparing a batch of "Bearcarvers" unstuffed beef sticks (elk burger).
I have a bunch of salmon in the freezer that will be my next project and have found a couple really great sounding recipes on SMF that I am looking forward to using.
Even though my MES 30 has worked pretty well with the factory digital time and temp settings, I have found some 20-25 degree swings in temp at times. Yep, I ordered the components to build a PID from Auberins at the suggestions of others on SMF. I think I am going to be set after I get that installed.........until someone else on SMF intrigues my curiosity enough to order something else!
Having said all this, I want to say thank you to everyone who has responded to my questions as a "newbie". You have accomplished two things.
#1. I am now at a point where I am always excited to try something new on the smoker.
#2. I am now a lot lighter in the wallet after finding this site!
To the regulars on here I say a huge thank you for all the time and energy you put into sharing your obvious love of smoking with so many others! Because of you and your helpful posts I have found that even a totally inexperienced "newbie" can put together a pretty good smoke and with the right tools (as suggested on SMF) the chance of having a failure are pretty slim!
Kudos..guys and gals!
Last fall I found this forum while doing a search for a simple inexpensive smoker that I could use around the house and haul with me on my summer ventures to the NW with smoking fish in the campgrounds I stay in the primary objective.
On "Black Friday" I ordered a MES 30 and it all started. As I had already done quite a bit of reading here before hand, I knew I needed a AMNPS so I ordered one of those and some pellets from Todd. Also from reading here I knew I needed a good thermometer so I ordered up a Maverick 732! And I also order "Jeffs Rub" recipes off SMF!
My first smoke was bacon wrapped chicken thighs from a recipe off SMF, I was impressed with how juicy they were. Since I have done pork butt (2x), spare ribs, stuffed jalapeno's (cream cheese and smoked salmon), stuffed green peppers, SQUIBS mac and cheese (2x) and am preparing a batch of "Bearcarvers" unstuffed beef sticks (elk burger).
I have a bunch of salmon in the freezer that will be my next project and have found a couple really great sounding recipes on SMF that I am looking forward to using.
Even though my MES 30 has worked pretty well with the factory digital time and temp settings, I have found some 20-25 degree swings in temp at times. Yep, I ordered the components to build a PID from Auberins at the suggestions of others on SMF. I think I am going to be set after I get that installed.........until someone else on SMF intrigues my curiosity enough to order something else!
Having said all this, I want to say thank you to everyone who has responded to my questions as a "newbie". You have accomplished two things.
#1. I am now at a point where I am always excited to try something new on the smoker.
#2. I am now a lot lighter in the wallet after finding this site!
To the regulars on here I say a huge thank you for all the time and energy you put into sharing your obvious love of smoking with so many others! Because of you and your helpful posts I have found that even a totally inexperienced "newbie" can put together a pretty good smoke and with the right tools (as suggested on SMF) the chance of having a failure are pretty slim!
Kudos..guys and gals!
