if i get a smoker?

[smurfy]

OK smoker pros, no not you boar!!!!!!! MY WIFE KEEPS wanting to get me a smoker. I have a fear of screwing it up, ruining it, whatever. how did you guys go about attempting to do your first official smoke job>???? I will decide on what kind of smoker when I decide to pull the pin.

what type of brines etc.

[leechlake]

smurfy-

it's pretty easy and really turns into more of a hobby than cooking or work.   Besides the wealth of knowledge here, there are quite a few websites dedicated to smoking food.  Start with ribs.  Only time I had an issue with ribs is when I overloaded my Masterbuilt and the ribs seemed to steam and render more than smoke.  I freaked out and eveyone loved them for a Super Bowl party.   

Follow some directions suggestions and then do a 4 pound pork shoulder for pulled pork.  Give it time and get a temp probe, key item for smoking meat and getting it done right.  

Smoke some salmon filets it you like that.

Brine- when I use one it's just brown sugar and salt.  Rubs- you will use that more often.  I keep it simple with garlic, salt and throw in whatever else you like.  Don't over salt ribs and then add salty bbq sauce at the end, btw.  

Get an electric smoker, when you have something on overnight or for a long stretch you don't want to have to dink around with it.  Also, you can keep a consistant temperature with less effort.

 

[RebelSS]

Smurfy, Flat Farm has smokers on sale this week, can't remember the model..

[smurfy]

thanks, not going to pull the pin now to much going on.

I expected some sort of HAM comment outta you to be honest!!!!!!

[eyeguy 54]

eggs..... smoked eggs...      that right there ie reason to buy a smoker.

[nofishfisherman]

Are you worried about ruining the food or do you have some specific concern?

I've actually found its very hard to ruin food while smoking. Pretty much everything you can possibly smoke can be broken down into some very simple steps that are well documented all over the web including right here on this page.  Over or under cooking food is pretty hard to do since almost everything is done when it reaches a specific internal temp.  Just trust your thermometer and let it tell you when its done.

Overall smoking food is a very simple process and the vast majority of items follow the same basic concept with only some tweaks to seasoning, smoke temps, and smoke time.  

I'd encourage you to jump in and start learning.  I'd suggest doing ribs and pork butts for starters.  They are both simple items to do and the principles learned with them can be translated to other items down the road with only some tweaking here and there. 

[delcecchi]

Start with a pork butt.  Don't get fancy, just put some salt and pepper on it and smoke it.  Every hour or so, after the first several, measure the temperature with a meat thermometer.  You can foil it or not, put in cooler to rest or not.  When it gets to 195 or a little more check to see if you think it is tender enough.  Eat it. 

Then you can start to add refinements.  Same with ribs only they don't take as long and cost more, typically. 

In the worst case something goes terribly wrong. You are out 10 bucks worth of pork butt. About the only things I can imagine going wrong are

1. You keep it in the smoke for way way too long and it is bitter or disgustingly smoky.

2. You go crazy with salt. 

3.  You forget about it and fall asleep and it dries out. 

So, go for it. 

Fleet farm has a masterbuilt smoker, electric or propane, for 89 bucks. 

 

[RebelSS]

thanks, not going to pull the pin now to much going on.

I expected some sort of HAM comment outta you to be honest!!!!!!

Who, me?! O for...!! No, I was just reading about Noah's son.  

[delcecchi]

Shem?  Japeth?

[RebelSS]

 

Shem?  Japeth?

 

 

Nope, that other one, Del.       Sons of Noah: Shem, Ham and Japheth

Edited November 3, 2015 by RebelSS

[reinhard1]

Start off with the Masterbuilt 30 electric with the digital timer.  Very easy to operate and we will guide you through the whole deal here.  My page has brines and step by steps plus we can guide you here with that also.  Go electric with the smoker.  good luck.

[smurfy]

No fish, you pretty much nailed it. Afraid to ruin it. Be be a tight wad when it comes to throwing out good meat  Rebel, you been hanging with Boar way to much.

[nofishfisherman]

No fish, you pretty much nailed it. Afraid to ruin it. Be be a tight wad when it comes to throwing out good meat  Rebel, you been hanging with Boar way to much.

I think the chances of you ruining the meat to the point where you don't want to eat it is pretty minimal. I feel like there is a pretty large margin for error.  You might find you'd wish you did something a little different, in fact I find that happens almost every time, but the results are all still good.  

An electric smoker and a few answers from people here and you'll be all set.

[delcecchi]

Just watch how many barley pops you have while monitoring the smoker and the worst that will happen is it won't be done when you planned on it being done. 

 

[JP Z]

Or a fun way to start is with ABT's Jalapeno's cut in half filled with a mix of cream cheese and shredded cheese....then wrapped in bacon.  Hard to screw up, even harder to not eat the whole batch yourself.

[bobberineyes]

Those are my favorite jp, although I treat them like eggs,  to much smoke and they get kinda over powering.  I say do it smurf, this is the smoking time of the year, it's all trial and error,  so what your first ribs turned out dry, learn as you go. We all had to start somewhere. ..I have gas one and would love to upgrade to an electric. .

[Boar]

Wow, this took off, but seriously smurf a man of intelligence should belooking at an Easy Bake Smoker, one with Hello Kitty on it. it fits yu and ur style. but i agree with R1, even a ham head like you cant screw it up. I built mine. With my own two hands smurf. real men do that. also real men that dont have the time and resource as i  buy what R1 suggest. so stick with the easy bake smoker. its all about experimentation. one thing might not turn out the way tya expected but thats the fun. ya aint gona ruin anythi......... wait im talking to smurf here.......stick with just reading the forum buddy.

[icehole10]

Or a fun way to start is with ABT's Jalapeno's cut in half filled with a mix of cream cheese and shredded cheese....then wrapped in bacon.  Hard to screw up, even harder to not eat the whole batch yourself.

 Jalapeno poppers are a favorite of mine as well. One thing we do a little different is we buy the real bacon bits and just mix it in with the cream cheese. Saves a little time of wrapping them, and less flare ups if done on the  grill.

[JP Z]

Nice, I've also read on some folks chopping up shrimp and adding that to the cream cheese mixture.......mmmmm

 

[ThunderLund78]

Don't be afraid of ruining anything with a store-bought unit.  they make them pretty fool-proof these days if you can follow basic instructions and recipes.  Like others have said, electric smokers make it much easier to maintain a temp as a lot of them have a thermostat.  If you do ruin one meal, you learn and the next one will work out better. Also, plenty of knowledgeable people here to help you figure out your methods or analyze any issues. I know I get WAY more than I give on here.  Trying to change that as I continue to learn, myself.

WARNING TO YOUR WIFE: Smoking meats may lead to extended hours of "Husband Nonavailability" as you maintain a close watch on your project and ensure the beer fridge in the garage isn't getting too full.

[bobberineyes]

Smurfs wife gave him the green light, bonus if she's helping smoking and stocking the beer fridge. What ya say smurf, let's go shopping! !!!

[RebelSS]

Smurfs wife gave him the green light, bonus if she's helping smoking and stocking the beer fridge. What ya say smurf, let's go shopping! !!!

I'll drive!! 

[eyeguy 54]

amazon will put it on your doorstep  

177.77  with prime or a friend with prime.  

 

[delcecchi]

amazon will put it on your doorstep  

177.77  with prime or a friend with prime.  

 

I thought everyone had prime..  It has saved me from a 50 mile drive and wasting a couple of hours any number of times in the summer.   Much rather fish than drive to Virginia.  Plus stream free movies and TV episodes. 

[smurfy]

holy Hannah, thanks for all the replies!!!!!!!! when I get ready to buy one i'll let ya know as far as what one to get. I guess i'll check in here. if I get one I will definetly get one a nee to be happy with.

 

AND BOAR.....................ah never mind!!!!!!!