New guy, first smoker, any recommendations?

[mummel]

 
Pellets are actually very efficient as they burn completley while wood chips will not always burn completely. The flavor is up to you. @TJohnson  has a "Pitmaster Blend" that is a great all around pellet to start with (I believe he sends you some of it when you buy an AMNPS).

Yeah I see it comes with 1lb.  How many lbs does the AMPS tray take?

 

[timberjet]

 
It looks like the AMPS does use more fuel than the standard chips though.  Maybe not as efficient?  Are pellets cheaper? 

Any recommendations for type/flavor of chips / pellets?  Can I use the same pellets for fish as for Boston butt, or do I need a different flavor depending on what I'm making?

The amount of wood you burn is minimal either way. Todds units come with a few different pellets for you to try out. Most people use a light flavor of smoke for fish like alder or maple. Pork is best with fruit woods like apple, cherry, plum, peach, orange, etc.... But some people like harsher woods like hickory, oak, etc... Beef is all personal choice, well they all are but Beef can take a stronger flavored wood like Mesquite. I personally do not like mesquite but there are many southern members here than swear by it. It will all come down to what you like. If you only want a little smoke flavor you can do that. Or if you want it smoky you can do that too. Personally I like it smoky. I love apple, maple, oak, hickory, cherry, lilac, grape, rose, pimento, and on and on and on. Pecan is supposed to be really good but extremely hard to find where I live so I have not had the pleasure. Remember, this is not a wood stove you are using. The amount of wood is small to make good smoke for long periods of time. If your smoker looks like a coal locomotive chugging out big clouds of thick brown smoke you are not doing it right. I don't think pellets are any more expensive than chips. Either way you are getting a little bag of wood for a lot more money than if you picked it up out of an orchard or the backyard like I do. I use charcoal smokers, and that is what I like. I get almost all my wood from foraging in my yard and my neighbors yards and the surounding countryside. I do happen to live in the apple state and there is a lot of free apple, cherry, peach, plum and stuff around to find if you go looking. But for what it seems like you want this is the best advice I can give you.

 

[timberjet]

 
Yeah I see it comes with 1lb.  How many lbs does the AMPS tray take?

Here again, Todd Johnson. http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/u/34955/tjohnson from this link you can speak to him yourself. I don't have one yet. Have not needed one with the equipment I use but I will be getting some stuff from him in the near future.

 

[bmaddox]

 
Here again, Todd Johnson. http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/u/34955/tjohnson from this link you can speak to him yourself. I don't have one yet. Have not needed one with the equipment I use but I will be getting some stuff from him in the near future.

Yep, send Todd a PM. He is a wealth of information and will usually respond within 24 hours (sometimes within minutes if he is online)

 

[timberjet]

 
BTW - I found this probe.  If I dont need the wireless capability, can I just use something like this?  Would work for meat only though, not grate temp.  $13 on Amazon.

I sure would hate to burn a 75 dollar brisket because I cheaped out on a crappy el cheapo thermometer.

 

[mummel]

I just went through all the reviews.  Most of them are fake. Scratching this one off my list.

 

[bmaddox]

When I am buying a thermometer I stick with these three brands as they have never let me down: Taylor, Maverick, and Thermoworks.

 

[mummel]

Thanks Bmaddox.  BTW - can you use these smokers in the rain?  An 8 hour Boston butt smoke cant guarantee me good weather.  Does it affect cooking times/results at all?  Does the raid mess up the probe electronics?

 

[timberjet]

Check out the Maverick ET-732. They have added two new models since that one came out and I would bet you can get one for super cheap. I have had mine for over 3 years without a single problem. Here is a good read.http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/126310/maverick-model-et-732

 

[bmaddox]

I would not use an electric smoker or probe thermometer in the rain. I understand the issue with unpredictable weather (it rains in Florida all the time) so if I think it might rain I use my smoker in the carport with a fan to blow the smoke outside. I have seen where others have built windscreens and rain covers to keep going outside in bad weather.

 

[timberjet]

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/161573/maverick-et-733-thread and the newer model. The new model is in my opinion the same friggin thing with a few more bells and whistles but pretty much the same thing for more money. the newest one is bluetooth and I have not heard good things about it.

 

[mummel]

 
I would not use an electric smoker or probe thermometer in the rain. I understand the issue with unpredictable weather (it rains in Florida all the time) so if I think it might rain I use my smoker in the carport with a fan to blow the smoke outside. I have seen where others have built windscreens and rain covers to keep going outside in bad weather.

Dan this is a bummer, a big bummer.  I cant organize any type of cover.  EDIT: I do have a patio umbrella on a block with wheels I can roll over, but I'm not too excited about it turning black ahha.

 

[timberjet]

I have one of these. 100 bucks on sale and it has lasted 3 plus years. I'm about ready to replace is but man it sure has been great.

 

[mummel]

 

I have one of these. 100 bucks on sale and it has lasted 3 plus years. I'm about ready to replace is but man it sure has been great.

Did the smoker turn it black?

 

[timberjet]

 
Dan this is a bummer, a big bummer.  I cant organize any type of cover. 

I have seen people use a umbrella before man. EZ up shelters fold up and store in your garage. You can find them cheap in the spring too.

 

[mummel]

I got to log.  Spent too much time on this already but as you can see, I'm addicted!  I'll be back soon.  Guys thanks for all your help.  This is great.

 

[mummel]

I do have one of these for camping.  I'll probably smoke my brains out standing in there haha!

 

[timberjet]

 
Did the smoker turn it black?

No not at all. If you have been reading you would know by now that you are not creating a big cloud of dirty gnarly smoke. It is a whisp of barely seen smoke. Also I know the pic is small but the top of the canopy is such that it allows smoke out but not rain in.

 

[mummel]

 
No not at all. If you have been reading you would know by now that you are not creating a big cloud of dirty gnarly smoke. It is a whisp of barely seen smoke. Also I know the pic is small but the top of the canopy is such that it allows smoke out but not rain in.

If this is the case then I'm sure the umbrella will work.  Thanks!

 

[mummel]

Hey thanks again for all the help guys.  I have about a month before fishing season so will shop around for deals.  There is also the WAF I have to deal with.  Any tips on that front hahahahaha.  Will keep you posted.