New to Smoking

[mrballiette]

Got a new combo gas grill/gas searer/charcoal grill/smoker from Sam's on Father's Day. Really excited to get into smoking some meat! From Hot Springs, Arkansas.

Here's the rig:

http://www.samsclub.com/sams/smoke-hollow-4-in-1-combo-grill/prod3920115.ip?navAction=

Any tips are appreciated.  My biggest question right now is should I use lump and place the wood on top to smoke or just burn the wood directly.  I purchased some of the Western brand pre-cut hickory chunks and the instructions on the bag say to burn them directly, but it seems to me like that would burn up a lot of wood and at 12 bucks a bag that'd get expensive quick when you're cooking for 12 hours at a time sometimes.

Thanks!

 

[kc5tpy]

Hello and Welcome to our addiction.  Many good folk here with a load of experience that they are more than willing to share.  If you have specific questions just start a thread and someone with experience will be along soon to offer advice.  All info you can provide us with such as smoker type, location and so on will help us answer any questions you may have, and pictures help a bunch.  Spend some time doing some research on the forums, tons of advice and recipes already available there.  Check out Jeff’s 5 day smoking E-Course ( link below ) that will help you get started.  I don't have that smoker but I am sure someone with knowledge will be a long shortly to help out.  We look forward to your contributions.  Have fun.  Good luck.  Keep Smokin!

Danny

http://www.smoking-meat.com/smoking-basics-ecourse

 

[mrballiette]

Thanks Danny! I've already signed up for the five day course and am browsing the forums to get a better feel for how everything is set up.

Michael

 

[gary s]

Hey Michael, hello and welcome from East Texas, We were in Hot Springs Sunday, visiting my wife's niece in Bryant then drove back via Hot Springs.  I would go with charcoal and add wood as needed.

Gary S