SMOKER INFORMATION

[gary s]

SMOKER INFORMATION​

Just wanted to take a few minutes to talk about Smokers

Today there are a lot of Smokers to choose from. Reverse Flow, Straight Flow, Vertical, Horizontal, Electric, Gas so on and so forth.

I see a lot of information on improving the performance of smokers. I agree with most of it. A properly made and sealed smoker "IS" a lot more efficient .  

But if you have an Old Cheap-O that doesn't mean you can't turn out some really good smoked meat, just means you have to pay a little more attention and Baby sit your smoker more.

Some of my first smokers leaked like a sieve, just took some extra work on my part but stilled turned out some great BBQ. I smoked on an ECB "El-Cheap-O- Brinkman" for years with out any mods. Sometimes a PITA . I bought a new one about 6 years ago and did the mods, really improved the efficiency. I smoke 90% of the time on my RF which me and my #2 son built.

It's sealed pretty good have a couple of little leaks but I never worried with them. 

You that know me me know I smoke just about every week and sometimes more. And never have any problems.

Look at some of the OLD BBQ joints that have been around for Years and Years, most of them are the old block pits with a metal cover dragged across the top or the big ole box or tank type that leak all over, Still good Q.

I'm not saying don't do the mods to improve it, just don't worry if you have a leak or two.

To me the most important thing is Knowing your smoker. To do that you have to use it. 

I smoke so much, that it is second nature, everything doesn't have to be perfect. You hit a glitch you know how to fix it.

All of you starting out be happy with what you have and get good using it. Then you can see what you need or where you want to go from there. Just remember an expensive pit wont make better BBQ it's the Pit master. So Practice, pay attention take notes, till you are comfortable and can do it in you sleep.

Gary

 

[Bearcarver]

Thanks Gary---For your words of Smoker Wisdom!

All sounds like Great Advice to me.

Should be a Great help to a lot of Peeps!!

Bear

 

[bbqbrett]

True words there Gary. Currently I don't even have a true smoker. Just using an old grill and indirect heat. I always get lots of compliments from the people who try my food and they come back for more. So I agree, it is just like you said, it is the pit master and not the pit.

 

[gary s]

True words there Gary. Currently I don't even have a true smoker. Just using an old grill and indirect heat. I always get lots of compliments from the people who try my food and they come back for more. So I agree, it is just like you said, it is the pit master and not the pit.

The very first thing I ever smoked on  was an old brick BBQ pit/grill that was at the house we moved into when I was a kid.

I got my Dad to bring home some grating and a piece of sheet metal to kinda close it up. That was my first smoker I was 13.

Gary

 

[3montes]

I started out with a cheap Brinkmann Smoke N' Pit years ago that the kids bought me for fathers day. I spent 4 years cooking on it as it was than did all the mods and cooked on it another 4 or so. I knew it inside and out. Could turn out some darn good Q. Then things took a turn for the better for us financially as a family and we had more disposable income.

I purchased my first all 1/4" steel patio horizontal offset. I knew it wasn't going to make me a better cook I just knew it was going to make it easier. I now own 2 trailer pits and do a lot of large cooking events in the summer. I look back often on that old Brinkmann my son still has it in his shed. I appreciate what that cheap old piece of sheet metal did for me. 

Today I'm a better cook and better Pitmaster not in spite of that old Brinkmann but because of it. I've been a stick burner from the start and have seen all the challenges that come with stick burning but the experience gained from that Brinkmann still helps me overcome any challenges today.

 

[gary s]

 
I started out with a cheap Brinkmann Smoke N' Pit years ago that the kids bought me for fathers day. I spent 4 years cooking on it as it was than did all the mods and cooked on it another 4 or so. I knew it inside and out. Could turn out some darn good Q. Then things took a turn for the better for us financially as a family and we had more disposable income.

I purchased my first all 1/4" steel patio horizontal offset. I knew it wasn't going to make me a better cook I just knew it was going to make it easier. I now own 2 trailer pits and do a lot of large cooking events in the summer. I look back often on that old Brinkmann my son still has it in his shed. I appreciate what that cheap old piece of sheet metal did for me. 

Today I'm a better cook and better Pitmaster not in spite of that old Brinkmann but because of it. I've been a stick burner from the start and have seen all the challenges that come with stick burning but the experience gained from that Brinkmann still helps me overcome any challenges today.

CONGRATS.  My point exactly.  I have a friend who has been smoking for a while He jumped out there and spent $20,000 on a new trailer rig  His first few smokes were terrible. He told me "I know what you mean about getting to know your smoker"

Gary

 

[hardcookin]

Nice read Gary Thumbs Up

This sentence is so true!!
I smoke so much, that it is second nature, everything doesn't have to be perfect. You hit a glitch you know how to fix it.

 

[joe black]

Great job as usual, Gary. Thumbs Up

As you probably remember, I started smoking on an aluminum PK about 35 years ago. That was in the boiling ribs days. From then, I went through charcoal grills, gas grills and finally a WSM. When I started lurking around here about 2 years ago, so much had passed me by that I just about had to start over. My life would have been a lot easier if I could have read your piece then. I sincerely hope that newbies can access your thread and take advantage of some fine advice.

Thanks again for your usual good writing, Joe. :thumb1:

 

[smokin peachey]

icon14.gif
Spot on.
[emoji]128077[/emoji]

 

[GaryHibbert]

Ain't that just the truth.  Gary you certainly hit the nail on the head with this post. 

My first smoker was an Elcheapo Walley World offset.  It leaked so much that I had as much smoke on me as the meat did after a cook.  Now I have a MES 30.  Definitely not a high dollar smoker, but I love it and it puts out some great Q.

A person sure doesn't have to have a top of the line, super expensive smoker to put out great food.  Now don't get me wrong, I sure wouldn't say no if somebody offered me one, but I'll never buy one.  You just work with what you have--and more importantly, what you can afford--and learn to use it to the best of your abilities.  You'll put out some fantastic meals and you'll be happy as a pig in a mud hole.

Gary

 

[SmokinAl]

Good advice as always Gary!

Al

 

[gary s]

Hey Thanks Guys .     JUst want to let the Newbies know they don't have to have a high dollar smoker to turn out some great Q.

Gary

 

[lancep]

You know, I just got a new smoker and we're still in the getting to know you stage. I keep hearing you say this from other posts in the back of my head and always remember my first pit. It was an $89 offset from Walmart and the first thing I ever smoked was a brisket. Turned out pretty decent and I've been hooked ever since. I was talking to my dad a few months ago and he grew up cooking hogs over a hole in the ground. I guess it really is the pitmaster.
Lance

 

[gearjammer]

Good and true words, I really hope that all newbies,

like myself, find this and read it.

To many folks, almost apologizing, I've only got this cheapo smoker.

Those cheapos aren't a bad way to learn.

Lots of good food in those cheapos.

It is the pitmaster.

     Ed

 

[gary s]

Starting out, the El-Cheap-oh will help you become a better pit master. Because you are having to pay attention and constantly mess with it.

Gary

 

[hardcookin]

You can definity put out quality Q on a less expensive smoker. But sometimes you might have to work harder to achieve the same quality.

 

[bdskelly]

Great info Gary.  Yup. There is a learning curve when you get a new unit. And it take some of us longer to learn than others! LOL 

 

point B

 

[gary s]

 
Great info Gary.  Yup. There is a learning curve when you get a new unit. And it take some of us longer to learn than others! LOL 

 

point B

I'm learning as we speak, Got a Brisket, Pork Butt and Beans on   

Gary

 

[Rafter H BBQ]

Great read & info Gary ! Thumbs Up

 

[gary s]

Thanks Guys     Got my RF going as we speak

Gary