What to cook for a first smoke on a new grill?

[backyardsmokin]

So I got my CG w/SFB built and modded based off of what I have read from members on the forum and I am getting ready to do my first smoke.  I am hoping that all of the weather people are lying and it won't rain tomorrow so I can season the grill and do my first smoke. 

There are three two constraints:

1. I will have about 5 to 6 hours to smoke before the family is ready for dinner

2. The wife and mother-in-law will only eat bbq when it resembles something looking like a briquette (burned to black and dry).

3. First time smoking using charcoal. (Done a few brisket smokes on my gas grill)

Any thoughts what is a good meat for a first smoke on a new smoker?

If the weather place and I am able to get something done, I will do my best to do some q-view

Thanks for the help.

 

[rowdyrawhide]

Ribs would probably get my vote, baby back or St Louis style.  Throw a little extra sugar on their rack and it get black"ish".  BTW, you MIL and mine must be sisters.  

  If your like me it is painful when you go out to eat.

 

[forluvofsmoke]

First smoke, with probability of weather, and time constraints? I'd be thinking small pieces...OK, let's go with the KISS method...always works great for me when I'm having a lazy day.

Chicken pieces or quarters, skinless with apple/pecan (smoked birds getting crisp skin isn't easy, unless you have the right tricks up your sleeve);

Burgers are great smoked...I've smoked hot dogs a few times as well...very nice change of pace, and tasty;

Beef Steaks? Yea, baby...take your pick of the cut you like and hit 'em with a bit of hickory and/or cherry;

Pork chops and pork shoulder steaks are excellent with some nice cherry/apple smoke.

With any of the above, keep the smoke time down to an hour or less...may be too strong otherwise, especially for those new to smoked meats. Less is more...

I'll talk to the smoke gods and see about having 'em set-up a detour for the weather...we'll send it to New Mexico and Texas...they need it more...LOL!!!

Have a great smoke!

Eric

 

[hardslicer]

I say they will eat what you make for them or not eat at all.....lol.....ok maybe not.  I'm sure they will fall in love with whatever you decide to make and beg you to break out the smoker again soon......good luck!  

 

[SmokinAl]

Beer can chicken is easy.

 

[backyardsmokin]

I appreciate all of the suggestions. 

The weather gods were not nice to me as it has been raining for at least the past 6 hours and the wife says that I am not allowed to spend money to go get a canopy so the smoker doesn't get wet.  My loving wife also left out one other tiny little detail, that my in laws are coming over to take out to dinner for our anniversary.  Since we all know that you don't want to anger a wife that is 8 months pregnant, I have decided to postpone the smoking until next weekend. 

I have editted my first post to elminate the requirement of 5 to 6 hours. 

Thaks again for the help and if you have any more suggestions since the time constraint is remove please send them my way.

@Rowdy: I have been tempted to put pieces of charcoal on a plate and tell my wife the MIL that those are their pieces.

 

[hewgag]

..................and the wife says that I am not allowed to spend money to go get a canopy so the smoker doesn't get wet.  

I'd use her favorite dress or curtains then. 

 

[backyardsmokin]

Sorry for the delay in posting...wierd weather here.  I decided to go out on a limb and try something diiferent.  I did jalapenos, onions and bell peppers rolled in marinaded carne asada.  Alll I have to say on this is ewwwwwwwww.  I believe that it was good execution, but the horrible, horrible marinades that I found in a reciepe book made it stomach churning.  I am going to create a different thread with some qview and will put a link to that thread back here when it is posted.

 

[best in smoke]

My first smoke was a pork shoulder and it went awesome, it was simple and easy. Everyone would like that.

 

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