smoker newbie

[broncorckcrwlr]

After watching and eating others meats I decided to get myself a smoker and learn to use it. I probably should have looked for advice on what smoker is most popular easiest to use or some other advice but me being me I bought what I thought I wanted and now it's full steam ahead. lol I ended up getting a Pit Boss Sportsman Vertical pellet smoker and it is a little intimidating to say the least but with practice I hope to become proficient. I've already been reading to try to learn some tricks and I'm sure I'll have some questions. Actually I have one now. What is a good brand of temperature probe? My smoker only came with one and I want at least one more. Here is the smoker I ended up buying now to learn to use it.

 

[TNJAKE]

Welcome from Tennessee. Looking forward to seeing some of your cooks

 

[Brokenhandle]

Welcome from Iowa! Anything from inkbird (a site sponsor) or thermoworks would be good reliable therms

Ryan

 

[Paul G Denton]

Welcome from Wisconsin! Looking forward to your posts on your learning curve. it is indeed an art form to smoke meat. Have a blast learning!

 

[flatbroke]

Welcome to SMF. What year bronco?

 

[Backyard Hero]

If your serious about smoking meat, and you want consistent results, temp is everything. So naturally, you need a good probe. And they aren't cheap. There are a couple good high end probes out but I purchased a Thermoworks Smoke and their mk4 pen. Regularly $100 a piece. They usually run sales about 15% off. But the price is worth it. They are extremely accurate and they back the products 100%. Take a look into that company for sure.

 

[JLeonard]

Welcome from Mississippi!

 

[MJB05615]

Welcome from Ga.! You'll find this is the best place to be for everything smoked, meats that is lol. Temp is one of the most important things for good results. I started out using Thermopro products, then switched to the Inkbird line of products. They are a sponsor here, and not only much lower priced than the others, but IMHO, extremely accurate and are workhorses. I smoke meat about 4-6 times per month year round, and haven't had any problems with the Inkbirds since I started using them over a year ago. I periodically check them for accuracy in ice and boiling water and haven't had to reset yet since the initial run. Have fun learning.

 

[JC in GB]

Welcome from Wisconsin.

 

[normanaj]

Welcome from RI.Site sponsors ThermoPro or Inkbird both make quality therms.

 

[BigTurtle]

Welcome from Western North Carolina

 

[sawhorseray]

Welcome from Gilbert, AZ, it gets hot here! RAY

 

[pushok2018]

Welcome from NorCal!

 

[broncorckcrwlr]

Welcome to SMF. What year bronco?

The off road one is a 1966. I also have a pristine 1976 Ranger edition as well as a 1968 soon to go under the knife. There are a few others out in the back 40 for parts.

 

[broncorckcrwlr]

Thanks for the welcome and the suggestions. I will definitely look into all of them. I believe I'm already in over my head. I asked the wife to go to the meat market and pick up something small and inexpensive for me to start with so if I goofed it wouldn't hurt to bad . I also wanted something I could do in a few hours. She comes home with an 18 lb brisket. Not small or cheap and certainly NOT what I was expecting. lol She said the girl that sold it to her said it would only need about 4 hours. As she was leaving a man coming in saw her purchase and asked what she was going to do with it. When she said smoke it he told her we would be eating good tomorrow. She repeated what the girl told him and he just shook his head and said more like 18 hrs I smoke them all the time. The brisket is in the freezer to be brought out at an undetermined time in the future.

 

[MJB05615]

Ribs are usually easy for a first or one of your first cooks. IMHO. Those Broncos sound interesting.
I'm a Ford guy since childhood .

 

[bbqbrett]

Hi from Idaho. Might think about some chicken thighs for the first cook as well. They are pretty forgiving and also not very expensive. Don't worry, with some practice you will get the learning curve down on that smoker.

 

[kruizer]

Welcome to SMF from Minnesota.

 

[smokin peachey]

Welcome to smf I’d love to see some pics of the Fords you mentioned

 

[pineywoods]

Welcome to SMF you got a pretty good pellet smoker with your purchase my neighbor has one. As Brett said consider chicken thighs as a first smoke they don't take long however unless you smoke at higher temp or finish on a grill or in the oven the skin doesn't usually get crisp. Smoke till almost done then put into a preheated 400 degree oven for a couple minutes would work or onto the preheated grill.
The other one I would suggest would be a pork butt they take quite a while but are pretty forgiving. Maybe look into abt's and or fatties to throw in with the pork butt as they finish quicker and can provide snacks while waiting on the butt.
Heck you can can even smoke some hamburgers they come out pretty good to.
Your unit will maintain heat well once you get used to how to run it it's almost set and forget.
Good luck and if you have questions just ask somebody or twenty will be more than happy to answer them
I agree pics of the Broncos would be cool I'm interested to check out the new ones when they are finally on dealer lots but really like the older ones