Hey everyone,
So i notice that the etiquette is to introduce yourself on these forums before asking questions...so here is my introduction.
I'm 26, from Oxford, United Kingdom and a complete newbie to smoking meats. I've always loved real authentic BBQ, we have some great places in the UK, but nothing compares to the BBQ I've had in the states. I've wanted to get smoking for a long time, and finally decided to buy myself an offset smoker last week.
I bought an extremely cheap offset smoker online, I know that this really isnt the place to admit that i bought a cheap offset smoker, but I really am just wanting to get started as I'm getting impatient, but cant afford an expensive one just yet. Lets just say the smoker i bought was less than £200.
Today I had my first smoking experience...I smoked a rack of st louis style ribs using the 3-2-1 method and using applewood.
After 6 hours, i ended up with some great looking ribs with a suprisingly good smoke ring. They tasted amazing, however...the problem is they were not tender. I like fall off the bone ribs, and these were really quite tough. The temperature never went above 250. Although i may have a very inaccurate thermometer (a better quality one is on the way) i'm pretty sure it wasnt much hotter than 250...so im not sure what went wrong?!
Are there any tips (other than spending money on a real smoker, i will buy one AS SOON as i have enough money) you could give to a new guy? possibly around fire management, or ensuring the meat is tender throughout?
again, im from the UK, so its not easy to get your hands on a smoker here. Its either a £200 Landmann offset smoker, or a £300 weber smoky mountain it seems.
Thanks
Dave
So i notice that the etiquette is to introduce yourself on these forums before asking questions...so here is my introduction.
I'm 26, from Oxford, United Kingdom and a complete newbie to smoking meats. I've always loved real authentic BBQ, we have some great places in the UK, but nothing compares to the BBQ I've had in the states. I've wanted to get smoking for a long time, and finally decided to buy myself an offset smoker last week.
I bought an extremely cheap offset smoker online, I know that this really isnt the place to admit that i bought a cheap offset smoker, but I really am just wanting to get started as I'm getting impatient, but cant afford an expensive one just yet. Lets just say the smoker i bought was less than £200.
Today I had my first smoking experience...I smoked a rack of st louis style ribs using the 3-2-1 method and using applewood.
After 6 hours, i ended up with some great looking ribs with a suprisingly good smoke ring. They tasted amazing, however...the problem is they were not tender. I like fall off the bone ribs, and these were really quite tough. The temperature never went above 250. Although i may have a very inaccurate thermometer (a better quality one is on the way) i'm pretty sure it wasnt much hotter than 250...so im not sure what went wrong?!
Are there any tips (other than spending money on a real smoker, i will buy one AS SOON as i have enough money) you could give to a new guy? possibly around fire management, or ensuring the meat is tender throughout?
again, im from the UK, so its not easy to get your hands on a smoker here. Its either a £200 Landmann offset smoker, or a £300 weber smoky mountain it seems.
Thanks
Dave