Newb from Maine

[Strange82]

Hey all! I’m about as green as they come to smoking. My Folks gave me a Masterbuilt (basic, non digital model) electric smoker for Christmas. I spent a few days researching and smoked my first pork tenderloin last night. WOW, I was very pleased for a first attempt!
I started by injecting with an apple juice mixture, rubbed some Twisted Q, Crooked Pig (found it at Wally-World) on the outside, smoked over hickory for about two hours. Oh, I used apple juice in the water tray for extra moisture. The tenderloin was two pieces just about 1.5 pounds each. I started at 250, but the meat was cooking too fast so I dropped it to 200ish and kept it in for about 2 hours. I coated in with some Sweet Baby Rays and left the other as is. They both were great!

I have a few questions,
1. I keep seeing a bunch of you mention some different sort of chip tray? Something from amazon? What’s the deal with this?

2. I did notice my door did not seal that well, should I add a gasket if some sort to help keep the smoke from escaping too soon? It has a small 1/2” vent top right of the cabinet.

3. Is there any type of smokers beginner section I ought to read through?

 

[buffalobbqpete]

1. I keep seeing a bunch of you mention some different sort of chip tray? Something from amazon? What’s the deal with this?

The AMNPS (A-Maze-N Pellet Smoker). It gives a better smoke flavor. All kinds of reviews on the site. Most folks swear by them.

2. I did notice my door did not seal that well, should I add a gasket if some sort to help keep the smoke from escaping too soon? It has a small 1/2” vent top right of the cabinet.

Probably could. Check the MES Section of the forums. All kinds of different things you can mod.

3. Is there any type of smokers beginner section I ought to read through?

MES section of the forums

 

[Rings Я Us]

You smoked pork tenderloin.. not loin. Nice job!
Looks good.. I like that crock.. Looks old fashioned.. I have bowls like that crock..
Hope you find all the stuff you need to know in search and from people..
Happy Holidays..
Welcome!

 

[Strange82]

You smoked pork tenderloin.. not loin. Nice job!
Looks good.. I like that crock.. Looks old fashioned.. I have bowls like that crock..
Hope you find all the stuff you need to know in search and from people..
Happy Holidays..
Welcome!

Oh, right. Tenderloin. I edited the original post.

 

[arronbutler88]

Looks like you did a nice job first time. Everyone has to start somewhere. My first MES required a seal that it came with from the manufacturer. On Amazon there is a company called LavaLock. They make grill and smoker seals and silicone type stuff. Thats what i use it works great.

 

[arronbutler88]

Sorry "required a better seal"

 

[gary s]

Good morning and welcome to the forum from a nice chilly sunny day here in East Texas, and the best site on the web. Lots of great people with tons of information on just about everything.

Check this out for MES smoking http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/index.php?threads/bears-step-by-step-index.159333/


Gary

 

[lamar]

Welcome to this smoking addiction from lamar down in Bridgton.

 

[Strange82]

Welcome to this smoking addiction from lamar down in Bridgton.

Howdy Neighbor! Had enough of the cold yet?

 

[lamar]

Have had enough to last a while. Been a rough winter so far. Not cold enough to stop smoking though.

 

[Strange82]

Yeah, I hear you. Now that all the snow is clear from Thursday’s storm, I’m gonna do another tenderloin tonight!