Need advice

[ffkane]

Hello, I just bought a hybrid grill (gas/ charcoal) Im fairly new to smoking. Does anybody have ANY advice to help me get going in the right direction.

Thanks, Travis

 

[flash]

Take the 5 day course here on SMF

 

[themule69]

As Flash said take the 5 day. Then spend some time learning to control the heat in your pit. You have to contriol heat or you will never have great Q. Chicken is good to learn on. It can take wide temp swings.

Happy smoken.

David

 

[pgsmoker64]

Season it well...best thing is a pork butt right off the bat!!!  They are pretty hard to screw up and they have lots of wonderful pork fat that will help season that smoker.

Get yourself a good digital thermometer...don't trust the one on the smoker, they are almost never accurate!  My recommendation is a Maverick ET-732 - dual probes, one for meat and one for the pit temp.

Use the Minion Method, you will burn less fuel and have better temperature control.

Try different kinds of wood for the smoke.  My favorite is a 50/50 hickory/cherry blend but I also smoke with peach, pecan, oak, mesquite, pear, etc.  

Good luck and get to smokin!!

Bill 

 

[smoking b]

Yup - get yourself a good thermometer & learn to control temps. Then just practice on anything you can get your hands on!  You're in for a lot of fun! 

 

[comosmoker]

Everything these guys said.....and make sure it is sealed when smoking.  Don't forget the Qview.  Or you will get the.....

Welcome, and Happy Smoking!!!

 

[ffkane]

Thanks everybody for the tips. I appreciate it. I will be posting pictures soon.