new guy in wichita, ks checking in!

[razman]

hey everyone! i just signed up on this site, looks like it could be fun and informative. i have been an avid outdoor griller/bbq guy forever, but have never smoked any meats. i just bought a char griller smoker/grill and am anxious to try my hand at this. i bought some small chunks of apple wood and hickory yesterday. what would you guys reccomend that i try first? would something like ribs be easier for a novice than a turkey or roast? any suggestions for my maiden smoker voyage would be appreciated! how important is the thermometer, and what/where should i get one? thanks! and........GO CHIEFS!!!! (i know, so take it easy on me ok?) LOL, rick

 

[waysideranch]

Welcome Rick. Great place here. As for the Chiefs I wish you well.

 

[cowgirl]

Welcome to the forum Rick, glad to have you here!
I would start with a pork butt or shoulder...they are pretty forgiving. :)

There is a great Q joint in Downtown Wichita, I went to a couple of months ago....wish I could remember the name of it. It was pretty danged good. The fellow that runs it (with his brother) is from Andover.
It's located in a kind of warehouse building and they serve an all you can eat buffet for 8 bucks.

 

[wutang]

Something that is forgiving for a first try and doesn't take as long as the bigger cuts would be a fattie. Very tasty and you don't have to maintain temps for as long as you would if you tried a butt or shoulder. Check out the fattie forum for more info.

 

[fireguy]

welcome man!!!

 

[pineywoods]

Rick welcome to SMF glad you joined us. Congrats on the new smoker I would suggest playing with it while seasoning and try to get used to maintaining temps. As far as thermometers they are very important to smoking. Almost every thing we smoke is by temp and not time. The thermo that comes mounted on the smoker is usually not accurate and most of us use a digital thermo at grate level as well as one for the internal temp of the meat. Have fun and happy smoking

 

[richoso1]

Welcome to the SMF, this is thee place to share and learn about good times. I would hold off just a little on a turkey or a roast, a FATTY will fit the bill and give you some confidence. Don't worry, keep reading the forums and you'll be up to that learning curve with speed. Dont' worry about mistakes, that's all part of the experience, it's all good.

 

[krusher]

welcome,,smart move by signing up here, You'll be a pro in no time flat. The first thing I smoked was a boston butt, It is a very forginving piece of meat, and not to mention who does'nt lov a good pulled pork sammie. Just ask any questions you might have and you will be suprised at all the answers you will get.

 

[morkdach]

HEY RICK go kc chiefs they will win 1 gaurenteed. Kansas is the best place to smoke year round cause once you get all seasons figured out on temps ya can do it anywhere. So welcome aboard from salina.

 

[belair427]

Welcome Rick, I would agree with the others that suggested the pork butt. Kinda hard to screw up. I would choose a smaller cut for your first smoke as the shorter time will let you get comfortable with your equiptment without a lot of hassle. In the last 3 days I have smoked 100 lbs for pulled pork sammies and I now have, in the smoker, the second of 6 briskets to complete the food for my sons wedding on Saturday. Beware, I just started smoking about 3 months ago. This is addictive!
By the way, glad I checked in tonight, its good to know there are at least 3 Chiefs fans still around!!
Curt

 

[jbchoice1]

welcome... start with fatties and appetizers, also a chicken is a good start... a whole one.... pieces are good too, but there is something special that happens when you pull off a whole animal and are able to present it too the family... primeval gratitude I guess you'd call it...

 

[vince]

hey Rick!! Glad to see you here.