What tools does a beginner need after getting an offset smoker? (BUDGET minded)

[fxsales1959]

good advice so far. I'll toss in the Inkbirdbbq I-BBQ-4-4T.
4 probes and wifi app. the app is a a little quirky to get started first time as it wants.2.5Ghz wifi,
I've never needed more than 3 probes. on sale now with coupon on Amazon for $40-ish.
It's nice to run to the store and still see your temps with the app.
Mine is a few years old and always works.

https://www.amazon.com/Inkbird-Thermometer-Rechargeable-Wireless-Calibration/dp/B07XNTJKY4/ref=sr_1_3_sspa?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.QCI4Alzq77ibf4eC-NlfDMNBaFgQyNWpc54x6JRUv3WD-pCren_l4SdOauC15XrfRSwWPvt477yhv4bOew-fmSwRPgAHsfEu8saQVl4sfHyuV9DhHPv-hNqBqup6UUQsAwHpJc-WvovqyEMLt9kXDLQZ0ZWNHYUqnHyrarQSzlfvBhxZ0-ygDNpOApV46F7mfbHUSjW7cMFDrHCvFOgktO4PXAZgMIgWkaBRogQ4iEPCwrqiuIDyWFzRqrV2fbbd2JOGnwwaRCThAoa5rlDHpiaUjNt71cbxAyn8zR7_z4E.zOpWuyC7BglIb1msUooDU0app_VhWlSdBRYsM6rR3m4&dib_tag=se&hvadid=570577027115&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9011864&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=3202532587080692004&hvtargid=kwd-823118153742&hydadcr=28518_14555811&keywords=inkbird%2Bibbq-4t&qid=1733846012&sr=8-3-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1

 

[tallbm]

Looks like everybody has a given you great advice so far.
Only advice I have is don't go to crazy getting gadgets yet.
Get a good thermometer, some fire management toos and a set of tongs. Then start cookin, after a couple of cooks you'll start to figure things out and then you'll have a better idea of what will make your life on the smoker easier.

S Stopsign32v I feel like Newglide brings up a very good point that is worth reiterating.

Outside of the multi probe remote thermometer and a welding blanket, it is wise to avoid going crazy or buying a bunch of gadgets, or any gadgets at all until you get some things sorted out.

I know I've bought my share of gadgets that did not work out thinking they would be great and.... nope.

This includes:

• Big silicon rubber-like gloves with grips to "pick up briskets and big pieces of meat using my hands. Super sturdy tongs get this done and have 1,000 more uses and can get a few for the price of those goofy gloves
  • These things, well the ones I had, are a pain to clean all the nooks and crannies. The sizing is hit or miss and floppy. They are more fantasy than reality in my experience.
    
    
• Rib roasting/smoking racks. They just never worked right for me and laying flat or hanging racks of ribs works better for me.
  • Again more fantasy and not actually practical for WHOLE racks of baby backs or st louis, and not possible with full spare. I bought two versions and they are now gone due to lack of usefulness. But hey the pictures and fantasy look great, they just don't represent reality for me. Hanging ribs is more practical for me if they need to be in a stand up configuration similar to the images below but I just lay them flat on multiple racks
    
    
    
• Racks and trays can be hit or miss. I bought long mesh trays that were actually good and useful BUT a major pain to clean and then coating would flake off. They had pros and cons but I moved on to the simplicity of just laying my extra MES rack on top of a foil pain. Much simpler setup, easier to clean, and still could grab the rack while wearing oven mittens to remove giant cuts of meat like brisket, turkey, etc. without having to direclty handle the meat. Once the rack is in the house I just flip it over onto a pain or cutting board and the meat comes off or I use tongs to pull the meat off and/or the smoker rack from the meat without tearing things up badly if it wants to stick to the rack. Super simple and cost me nothing extra in racks. Just foil pains that I normally use anyhow.
  
  Now some simple roasting racks that FIT IN "Half Size" FOIL PANS (pans are about 2.5 inches deep), those racks can be helpful. I run 3 helpful ones that fit in the pans and are simple and awesome:
  
  1. V-Roasting Rack (nonstick) - MOST useful. It can hold TWO 8-9 pound pork butts and the rack can also be turned upside down and the V shaped bars can be used as dividers like if you want to do portions of pork belly or attempt to use it as a pork rib rack holder
  
  
  
  
  2. General roasting rack BUT dual chicken rack. 2nd Most useful and best dual chicken option I've seen or used. Unfortunately it is no longer made but man I love this thing as a plain rack and mainly as a dual whole chicken smoker rack because it has these bars that fold up from flat position to lock in place and be a thing you set the chicken on! This thing freaking works just like the pictures show... for once hahaha
  
  
  
  
  
  
  3. Vertical turkey roasting stand/rack. Special case useful and also sits in a foil pan..
  Now this thing is big enough to handle 20-25lbs turkeys and smaller. I like having my turkey vertical because the skin behaves better with airflow all around the breast, legs, and back, as the air/heat rises vertically in my smoker. This thing is adequate but would be more ideal is one of those big turkey deep frying hanger setups and to just hang the turkey vertical. I don't have one anymore so never tried it BUT I have bought big cotton stockinette bags to hang turkeys and hams and they do well suspending the turkey BUT the cotton absorbs liquid and doesn't let the skin cook as well as I am shooting for. This will work with a single chicken, just don't try a little Cornish game hen on it since this thing is big hahahaha.
  
  
  
  
  
  4. Best overall "roasting" rack solution I have is one of these I put on top of a foil pan. You can just pick up this whole rack while wearing oven mitts and put on a baking sheet and carry around. Boom easy and these racks are simple to clean with something like an SOS pad.
  
  

Anyhow, this gives you an idea of gadgets and such that you could buy but really simple things seem to work the best so don't fall for hype or cool looking stuff. Guys here can likely give you lists of things to avoid and other good things that are useful.

 

[Winterrider]

OP of this topic, started conversation of thermometers, replied back to them twice and haven't heard anything back. Not sure if its going thru as when I pull up the conversations ( little envelope top right, shows nothing from OP or my reply). Tried signing out and back in. Anyone else having PM conversation issues? Using kindle and also tried on Iphone, same. . .

 

[tallbm]

OP of this topic, started conversation of thermometers, replied back to them twice and haven't heard anything back. Not sure if its going thru as when I pull up the conversations ( little envelope top right, shows nothing from OP or my reply). Tried signing out and back in. Anyone else having PM conversation issues? Using kindle and also tried on Iphone, same. . .

Not that I know of. Feel free to send me a PM and I'll reply when I see it :D

 

[Stopsign32v]

OP of this topic, started conversation of thermometers, replied back to them twice and haven't heard anything back. Not sure if its going thru as when I pull up the conversations ( little envelope top right, shows nothing from OP or my reply). Tried signing out and back in. Anyone else having PM conversation issues? Using kindle and also tried on Iphone, same. . .

I tried to send you a private message but it wouldn't go through.

 

[philpom]

$13 dollar smoker thermometer that can be Calibrated.

Amazon.com

Instant read, fast, accurate, durable, waterproof. Have this one and the Pro model for probably 10 years. $25

Amazon.com

Also snag a short mini shovel, about 2 feet long for managing the fire and cleaning things up.

 

[Winterrider]

I tried to send you a private message but it wouldn't go through.

If still interested, try again. Was working with others.