New at smoking in Maine

[rshaw]

Hello, my name is Rob, I live in Windham, Maine.  I am very new at smoking, in fact I started a couple weeks ago, and Im trying to get really good at it by the summer, so I can hopefully do it a lot more.  Right now I am using a small char coal grill, which I am finding is difficult.  I have  trouble keeping a steady, or high enough temperature.  I honestly do not know anything about smoking.  If anyone has any tips it would be much appreciated.   Thank you.

 

[jrod62]

 to SMF.

you hit the jackpot when you join SMF.

great place to learn all about smoking. and great people that love to help. just ask.

take the 5-day e-course http://www.smoking-meat.com/smoking-basics-ecourse.html

that a great way to get started. and by summer you will be a pro.

small char coal grill ?      give a little more info of what type of smoker you have and we

can help you with "how best to use this type of smoker" .

post a picture of it that will help a lot

good luck

 

[ronrude]

Welcome, this is the right place to learn.

Jrod is right, the more information you give us on what you are working with and what you are cooking, the better we can help you.

 

[SmokinAl]

Welcome to SMF Rob!

 

[geerock]

Welcome Rob,

Great info and lots of pros on board here.............. and all are willing to help.  I've learned so much here it's incredible.  That small charcoal grill might be a bit of a problem as it will give you a hard time with temp control.  You may want to look into investing in something else inexpensive or maybe check out some of the homemade smokers built by guys on the site.  Just like everything else, good tools help get the job done right, although you don't need to spend a lot to get good finished product.

Best of luck.

 

[cliffcarter]

Welcome to SMF, rshaw. I live up the road a bit in Old Town.

Does your grill look like this-

Or this-

Let us know about the grill so we can help answer your questions. Good Luck

 

[scarbelly]

Hello Rob and 

to SMF 

 

[smokin pigskins]

Hi Rob.  You definitely chose the right place to learn, these guys on here are great!  Welcome to the smoking community.

 

[sprky]

 to SMF Rob . You have come to the right place for smoking info. This site is loaded with great info just use the search bar at top of page to find what you are looking for. If you can't locate the answer just ask folks here are willing to share there knowledge. I suggest you take  the 5 day e-course on smoking its chuck full of great info. Smoking  5-Day e-Course

 

[rshaw]

Hello everyone and thanks for the welcoming comments.  I haven't checked them until now, and I am glad to say my smoking has greatly improved since I first posted on here.  Cliffcarter your first photo was what I was using to start, however I have upgraded to a cheap Brinkman water smoker which has helped tremendously.  I had my first long smoke a couple of weeks ago and smoked a pork butt to make pulled pork, it was great.  I plan on continuing my to practice at getting better and will eventually purchase a better, bigger smoker. 

 

[smokinhusker]

Hello and welcome to SMF! Congrats on the upgrade and a successful PP smoke.

 

[diggingdogfarm]

Welcome to SMF!!!

~Martin