Smoking for Beginners

[Sizzle]

I never really understood the appeal of smoking cigarettes, so turning into a "smoker" always seemed far-fetched. But having read of triumphs of greats like CJF, FMCoug, Lebs and others on the board (and having had some delicious BBQ lately) I'm seriously considering joining the bandwagon.

So, being a 100% smoking noob, what are some things I need to understand to get into this? What type of smoker should I be looking at getting (please keep in mind that since I'm new to this, I realize there is going to be a learning curve; I'd like to find something under $500, and if I really do get into it, I'd consider a secondary purchase at a later date in time), what other elements do I need to consider (pellets/wood chips, rubs, etc) and where is the best place to get meat/types of meat I should be starting with.

I think I have the Mrs. on board, and I would really like to start firing some of this up for football season (the thought of enjoying sold brisket/pulled pork/ribs/etc for every away game in the comforts of my own home is very appealing) though I'm not sure how much of a reality that is going to be.

So, smoking legends, can you give a noob like me some good advice for starting out? What do I need to look out for/what should I be expecting/what do you wish you had known when you started smoking?

TIA

[CJF]

I'm really new also so my advice does not carry the weight of several others here. DT, my personal Hugh Hefner, needs to weigh in also. That said, for your price range I would suggest a WSM or if you want to make it even easier (and victorinox forschner fibrox hollow edge slicing knife salt lake city did) a pellet grill like Traeger. I've heard great things from owners of both. At the CB cook off yesterday, someone smoked all of his enteries on his WSM, and everything very good.

For recipes there are no shortage of seriously accomplished world championship winners who share their recipes and techniques. My personal favorite is Chris Lilly. Big Bob Gibson's BBQ Book is like a bible for me. I have found several other great books and websites that share rubs, sauces, side dishes, and deserts. BBQ stars like to share. Seems like a very chill community where a day of hanging with friends and family, eating good food, and watching football all day is highly valued. I dig that about smoking. Everyone seems very open and helpful. Especially to newcomers.

The one downside to being an owner of a smoker is that it is much more difficult to enjoy going to a BBQ joint. I went to Pat's a few weeks ago and was disappointed a little. That place used to be heavenly. We hit a place in Jackson Hole that 5 years ago would have qualified as solid BBQ for us. It was uneatable for my family. The year of smoking has really spoiled us.

[Drunk Tank]

First, you need a smoker.

Best smoker hands down for under $500 is a Weber Smokey Mountain. The 22.5" model retails for $499.99 but you can find used on Craigslist occasionally (like The Tick) or pick on up on Amazon for less than retail.

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001I8ZTJA/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lp o-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B00004U9VA&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX 0DER&pf_rd_r=03Q52AWWFFP0400XWPDW"]Amazon.com: Weber 731001 Smokey Mountain Cooker 22.5-Inch Smoker: Patio, Lawn & Garden@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41-Nd4eZplL.@@AMEPARAM@@41-Nd4eZplL[/ame]


Next, you need a charcoal chimney. charcoal, and wood chunks or chips.

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Weber-7416-Rapidfire-Chimney-Starter/dp/B000WEOQV8/ref=pd_sim_ol_2"]Amazon.com: Weber 7416 Rapidfire Chimney Starter: Patio, Lawn & Garden@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41op98ZacWL.@@AMEPARAM@@41op98ZacWL[/ame]





To help you control your smoker temp better, and to keep track of the temperature of the meat you are smoking, buy one of [ame="http://www.amazon.com/Maverick-Remote-Smoker-Wireless-Thermometer/dp/B0044FFUMK/ref=sr_1_2?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1312752823&sr=1-2"]Amazon.com: Maverick Remote Smoker Dual Probe Wireless Thermometer ET-73: Home & Garden@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41jimn6iFjL.@@AMEPARAM@@41jimn6iFjL[/ame].

or the newer one with a better probe and better range.

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Maverick-Wireless-BBQ-Thermometer-Set/dp/B004IMA718/ref=sr_1_1?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1312753415&sr=1-1"]Amazon.com: Maverick Wireless BBQ Thermometer Set - Maverick ET732: Home & Garden@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/11sbgs7dB0L.@@AMEPARAM@@11sbgs7dB0L[/ame]

Once you have all these things, go to http://virtualweberbullet.com/ and read to your hearts content. To set up your WSM for smoking, search out what is called "The Minion Method". It is the best/easiest way to set up your WSM.


I think that is it. The rest is searching what you want to smoke, trying different methods, trying different rubs and sauces and practice, practice, practice. Dont expect it to be perfect the first time out.

Welcome to the addiction!!!:devil:



Edit: I forgot to add. Once you have mastered temperature control and played enough with your new smoker that you are comfortable with it, you may want to look into an automatic temperature controller. There are several on the market now ranging from $125-$500. They make smoking a near set it and forget it dream. With one of these, long overnight smokes are a breeze. While not neccesary for good BBQ, they help and are really cool. Just my .02

[pellegrino]

I thought yall were talking about this kind of equipment:

[MarkGrace]

I always liked smoking cigs when I was drunk. Outside of that, didn't much care for them. Also had a penchant for smoking swisher sweets in the mountains. Though I'm not sure I could recommend either one to you at this juncture in your life, Sizz.

[Jeff Lebowski]

First, you need a smoker.

Best smoker hands down for under $500 is a Weber Smokey Mountain. The 22.5" model retails for $499.99 but you can find used on Craigslist occasionally (like The Tick) or pick on up on Amazon for less than retail.

$342 at amazon.

or the newer one with a better probe and better range.

Amazon.com: Maverick Wireless BBQ Thermometer Set - Maverick ET732: Home & Garden

Sizzle, I can't recommend this highly enough. I got one at DT's suggestion and I love it. I also picked up one of these:

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Splash-Proof-Super-Fast-Thermapen-Thermometer-Professional/dp/B003P63MEW/ref=sr_1_1?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1312783105&sr=1-1"]Amazon.com: Splash-Proof Super-Fast Thermapen (Purple) Instant Read Thermometer, Perfect for Barbecue, Home and Professional Cooking: Home & Garden@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41m6sMhNoAL.@@AMEPARAM@@41m6sMhNoAL[/ame]

This one allows you to quickly probe all parts of your meat and get instant temp readings and is a wonderful complement to the wireless probe. Also excellent for general purpose grilling. I can't imagine doing steaks without it.

Edit: I forgot to add. Once you have mastered temperature control and played enough with your new smoker that you are comfortable with it, you may want to look into an automatic temperature controller. There are several on the market now ranging from $125-$500. They make smoking a near set it and forget it dream. With one of these, long overnight smokes are a breeze. While not neccesary for good BBQ, they help and are really cool. Just my .02

Sizzle, if you are going to drop $350 for a smoker and another $125-500 for an automated temp control, just go buy a Traeger wood pellet grill. You can get them at Costco for around $700. Digital temp control, super easy prep and cleanup, cooks at a wide variety of temps, and the food is awesome.

In addition to Weber Smokey Mountain, you may want to consider a Brinkman electric water smoker. They only cost about $80 and would allow you to test the waters (so to speak) without making a major investment. They aren't particularly flexible, but are easy to use and good for smoked chicken and ribs.

[ERCougar]

Lebowski--
This may be a stupid question, but can you use your Traeger as a grill, i.e. do you still need a BBQ?

[Drunk Tank]

Lebowski--
This may be a stupid question, but can you use your Traeger as a grill, i.e. do you still need a BBQ?

I have not had success grilling on my Traeger. You can roast chickens, etc... But you will be hard pressed to get a good sear on anything. There is no direct heat. There is a diffuser over the fire pot for indirect cooking. However, I have seen people use "grill grates" in their Traegers in conjunction with removing the drip pan and diffuser and be able to sear.


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[cowboy]

No need to spend much money. I started with an old gas grill that someone threw away. I took the gas burners out and cut an old grill rack to fit in the bottom. I put a wood fire on that grill on just one side, and on the grill above, where the meat sits, I put the meat on the other side so that the meat would get indirect heat. Let that work for an hour or two, then wrap the meat in foil and throw it in the oven or crock pot for 3-5 hours at 200 to finish it. Chuck roasts, pork shoulder, or ribs are great this way, and relatively easy for the cost.

I've moved on to a little bigger machine now, but if I was just smoking for my family I'd still probably be using that one. The high-dollar smokers have more bells and whistles, but my poor boy smoker was a great way to start without forking out any money.

[YOhio]

The cheapest and easiest way to do it is with an electric smoker. $70 plus a $5 bag of hickory chips and you're off to the races. It's not the sexiest piece of equipment, but it's a great way to get started.

[Drunk Tank]

Question for those who have used an electric smoker like the Brinkman, etc... Is the food produced in one on par with the food smoked in a traditional wood/charcoal smoker? I have never personally used one, but have eaten food smoked in one. To me, the food was not as good, but it could have been the person smoking the food.

[Drunk Tank]

You can also get the 18.5" Weber Smokey Mountain. It is only $257 on Amazon.

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Weber-721001-Smokey-Mountain-Cooker/dp/B001I8ZTJ0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1312813835&sr=8-1"]Amazon.com: Weber 721001 Smokey Mountain Cooker 18 1/2 Inch Smoker: Patio, Lawn & Garden@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41viuJVWg9L.@@AMEPARAM@@41viuJVWg9L[/ame]

It doesnt have the capacity of the larger one, but it should still be adequate if you are not cooking for a large gathering.

[Sizzle]

You can also get the 18.5" Weber Smokey Mountain. It is only $257 on Amazon.

Amazon.com: Weber 721001 Smokey Mountain Cooker 18 1/2 Inch Smoker: Patio, Lawn & Garden

It doesnt have the capacity of the larger one, but it should still be adequate if you are not cooking for a large gathering.

That was my thought. The size looks like it would be sufficient for the types of gatherings I would likely be cooking for.

So then, what is the big difference between the WSMC and a Trager? My neighbor has a Trager and loves it. In browsing the threads, Lebs loves his (and mentioned so here) but what advantages would it provide over say the WSMC?

[Jeff Lebowski]

That was my thought. The size looks like it would be sufficient for the types of gatherings I would likely be cooking for.

So then, what is the big difference between the WSMC and a Trager? My neighbor has a Trager and loves it. In browsing the threads, Lebs loves his (and mentioned so here) but what advantages would it provide over say the WSMC?

I think the biggest difference would be the ease of use via the automated fuel feed and temp control. With the Traeger you fill the hopper with pellets, set the temp you want, and walk away (for hours if you like). No need to tend it.

[Drunk Tank]

That was my thought. The size looks like it would be sufficient for the types of gatherings I would likely be cooking for.

So then, what is the big difference between the WSMC and a Trager? My neighbor has a Trager and loves it. In browsing the threads, Lebs loves his (and mentioned so here) but what advantages would it provide over say the WSMC?

I have been smoking on my 18.5" WSM the past couple nights. First time I have used it. The first thing I noticed is it gives the food a much more smokey flavor than my Traeger. It is smaller and has less capacity, but if I am cooking just for the family it won't be a problem.

The Traeger and the WSM while both smoker, operate in a completely different way. The Traeger is a digitally controller pellet fed smoker and a WSM uses charcoal and wood chunks. Both can produce great food.


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