New to this, alot to learn

[racin62b]

My name is Paul and I live in central Illinois. My wonderful wife bought me a 30" MES SS for my birthday last month. Since then, I have attemped pulled pork and two racks of baby backs. Both attempts turned out ok, still learning. I have been reviewing this site alot trying to learn as much as possible. Currently I have a butt and rack of spare ribs in but something just isn't looking right. The butt has been in since 5:30am. When i got ready to foil it, the top looked wet and had a greyish tint to it. I noticed that alot of steam seems to be coming out of the vent, which is wide open, and steam is collecting on the digital control which has never happened before. If anyone has any ideas that would be great.

Thanks,

Paul

p.s. great site, but for some reason can't post with my ipad, had to get the junk laptop out

 

[scarbelly]

What is the weather like?

 

[venture]

Welcome aboard, Paul!

Lots of MES users here to help out.

Good luck and good smoking.

 

[racin62b]

The weather here was supposed to be sunny & 45 degrees. Instead, freezing drizzle when I started & about 40 & foggy by the time I was done, 12 hours total. The butt got up to 198, stayed there for almost an hour. When I tried to remove it, the bottom of the foil ripped & lost all the juice. Used the 3-2-1 method on the spare ribs & I thought they were a bit dry. Like I said, lots to learn. All in all my family was pleased, but I need practice. I look forward to learning more from this sight. One thing I thought was strange was about 4 or 5 hours into it, I was standing there watching the smoker when all of a sudden there was a combustion sound & it shot a smoke ring about 3 feet into the air. Have no clue what that was. Any ideas?

 

[SmokinAl]

  Glad to have you with us!

 

[sprky]

 to SMF Paul. You have come to the right place for smoking info. This site is loaded with great info just use the search bar at top of page to find what you are looking for. If you can't locate the answer just ask folks here are willing to share there knowledge. I suggest you take  the 5 day e-course on smoking its chuck full of great info.Smoking Basics 5-Day eCourse

I'm no help on your smoker issues, However many folks here have the same smoker you have and someone will be along to help you I'm sure. 

Your 3-2-1 ribs being dry may be due to not putting liquid in the foil, I have never had dry ribs using the 3-2-1 but I always use liquid in them. I also spritz every hour during the 3. 

Always use 2 layers of HD foil when you foil. another tip is to put the meat in a disposable pan and cover with foil.

 

[gersus]

Welcome!

Hang in there, there is a ton of great people and info on this site!

Did you have water in the pan? A lot of people, including me, don't put water in the water pan. Ever. Still put the water pan in though for a heat baffle. It could've been the humidity I suppose... no worries, I would give it another run. :)

 

[mballi3011]

First off welcome to SMF there Pau. You'll really like this place for there are a bunch of really good folks here that would just love to help you with just about anything to do with smoking meat. Then if you have any questions you just post them here or yu can try in chat for a faster answer. If you are really new to all of this I would recommend that you look up and take the e-course. It is free and it will also give you the basics on smoking. So with all that said now go and get something to smoke.

Welcome To Your New Addiction

 

[racin62b]

Thanks for all the info. I will definitely look into the 5 day e-course. Sprky, I put a little apple juice in the foil, but i didn't spray durning the first 3 hrs, will have to try that next time. Gersus, I didn't realize you can use the water pan empty, i just figured you should fill it up all the way with boiling water, which is what i did. So you are saying that no matter what you are smoking, no water at all? I will have to try this also. Thanks alot for the help.

 

[jrod62]

:welcome1: to SMF.

 

[ecto1]

Welcome to SMF glad you can join us.  We are big on Pics and love to help everyone out.  Remember the only question that is dumb is one not asked.  You will not find a friendlier place to talk Que on the web.

You are going to fit in just fine.

 

[racin62b]

Thanks for the welcome. Looking forward to the next smoke, probably have to wait until next weekend. Thinking about some more ribs cause I just love'em. I don't think my wife realized what she got me into cause last weekend she asked me, " you really enjoy waiting for a peice of meat to cook that takes that long?" with a funny look on her face. I said sure do. I think she thinks I"m crazy!