New Dad and New Smoker

[highsteaks]

Hello All, 

I live in West Virginia and I'm moving to mine and my wife's first house soon. (We've been living in duplexes, apartments, and on Marshall University's Campus.) My parents bought me a smoker for my birthday and I haven't used it yet since we live in an apartment. However, since we will have a yard at the new house, I am very excited to use it. I've told my wife that as soon as we get to the house, I'm unloading the smoker and starting it up before we start anything else. Lol. 

I have a Masterbuilt Vertical Charcoal Smoker. I have already read some about it and seen that the number one complaint is that it doesn't hold heat well and its difficult to keep the heat at or above 200. So I know that will be my first challenge. But is there anything else I should be aware of? Also, what would be the best meat for a first time smoker? 

Thank you. 

 

[noboundaries]

HighSteaks, welcome to SMF!  Glad you are here with the still untested new smoker.  You'll have it mastered in no time.  Lots of folks here have made the simple mods necessary to make it a great smoker.  You should be able to find all your answers using the search feature of the forum.

First meat?  Something simple, doesn't cost a lot, and smokes up relatively fast is always a good start. Sausages, boneless/skinless chicken thighs, even a meat loaf.  I'll be doing one later today as a matter of fact. 

Enjoy the new house and the new smoker!

Ray 

 

[submariner]

Welcome aboard and congrats on the new house/smoker/family!!!  

 

[SmokinAl]

Welcome to SMF!

Glad to have you join the group!

Al