New to smoking......

[wrigley]

Hello,

  I got a new (Master Forge) charcoal smoker for fathers day. Been interested in smoking for quite some time now. Found this site recently. Not sure where to start or what would be a good "trial and error first smoke". Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

Mike 

 

[chef willie]

Welcome to the SMF...lots of info and very helpful folks here. Suggest going to 'roll call' to get a proper welcome & sign up for the free e-course which covers a lot of basics for you. The search bar is a very handy tool for anything you want to know. You can type in the model of your unit for tips and mods. Type in any kind of meat/poultry for detailed info from members on the subject. Any type of chicken is a great way to break your unit in and usually cheap....or a chuck roast (chuckie) for beef. We love Q/view so post your pics of smokes. I would suggest you read, read, read posts on what you decide to smoke first and then....just fire it up.

 

[adiochiro3]

Welcome to the SMF!  Start with something simple and inexpensive like chicken or pork chops so you can get the hang of your new rig and see how she behaves.  Get some good charcoal (hardwood) without fillers and binders so you get a good quality smoke going.  Cook by temps rather than time.  And post some pix so we can oooh and aaahhh!

 

[SmokinAl]

Beer can chicken is cheap & easy.

 

[sunman76]

yep bust out the chicken and get to smoking

 

[wrigley]

Thanks Willie!

Mike

 

[wrigley]

Welcome to the SMF!  Start with something simple and inexpensive like chicken or pork chops so you can get the hang of your new rig and see how she behaves.  Get some good charcoal (hardwood) without fillers and binders so you get a good quality smoke going.  Cook by temps rather than time.  And post some pix so we can oooh and aaahhh!

Thanks for the reply.......I'm going to go out on limb and say "Kingsford" isn't the charcoal I'm looking for? :) I've done a bit of research and have gathered that the most important element in smoking is the ability to maintain temperature? Please suggest charcoal. Thanks

Mike 
 

 

[fpnmf]

Welcome..

This site has tons of info.

I would suggest you spend some time reading all the different forums and the WIKIs.

Then use the handy dandy search tool for specific interests!!

Take the awesome free E-Course!!!

Have a great day!!!

Craig
http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/wiki/about-jeffs-5-day-ecourse
http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/wiki/basic-pulled-pork-smoke
http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/wiki/finishing-sauce-for-pulled-pork-by-soflaquer
http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/forum/thread/82034/how-to-post-qview-to-smf
http://www.susanminor.org/forums/showthread.php?736-Curing-Salts
http://www.educationbug.org/a/marinate-vs--marinade.html

 

[alaskanbear]

I agree with the chickn and if ya want, brats, hot dogs and hamburgers are a great test of the new feeling.. I did 1/2 lb hamburgers on my very first smoke and havent stopped doing them to this day!!..

Rich