New Model 2 for Christmas

[RSBackyardQ]

Hello, new and excited Smokin-it # 2 owner here. I got into this hobby about six years ago and have been enjoying creating some tasty Q. I’ve been using a Weber Smokey Mountain which has been a great smoker but a lot of work and not practical for doing a quick smoke on things like fish or wings. Also, living in an area with 7 to 8 months of winter, I wanted something well insulated so that outside temps won’t slow me down. I’ve been looking at the Smokin-it for the last couple years and finally made the jump to an electric smoker.

So far I am very impressed. I seasoned the smoker as suggested and the next day smoked up some baby back ribs. Just seasoned the ribs with a good rub, let them sit overnight then smoked for about 5 hours on 225 with a combination of hickory and apple wood. They came out delicious and very moist but I think I need to experiment with some timing and temps a bit since they weren’t quite as tender as the family likes. The thing I really liked was that the ribs had the perfect amount of smoke without some of the soot and char flavor that can come from a charcoal smoker.

I’m looking forward to lots more smoking with the #2. Now just to decide what to smoke next. Brisket, pork butt, wings or maybe some whole chickens. I foresee lots of trips to my local Costco meat department.

Thanks for all the great advice on this forum.
-Ron

 

[old sarge]

Welcome Ron from SE Arizona. Enjoy the #2.

 

[SconnieQ]

I have a similar background. 10+ years using the Weber Smokey Mountain. Made good bbq, but too much trouble for the shorter smokes, like salmon and chicken. And too much monitoring with no sleep for butts and brisket. And living in Wisconsin, it just wasn't worth the trouble to smoke in the winter and the snow. I really wanted to smoke more in the winter. Now I keep my SI on my back porch, and smoke year round. I noticed the difference in the smoke taste right away. With the WSM, food was good, but the smoke was just "smoke". With the SI, you can taste the nuances of the species of wood you are using. It's a cleaner smoke taste. Another thing I noticed right away was the cost savings on fuel. The WSM requires a significant investment in charcoal for each smoke. I think I only smoked whole chicken once in my WSM, because it never seemed worth the trouble. I focused on long smokes, and consecutive smokes (always following my long smokes with some salmon or chicken thighs to use up the remaining charcoal). Now I can go to the store and buy one chicken, brine it, and smoke it, all in the same day, with little effort or planning, and just the cost of a small wood chunk. Same with ribs. I love the ease of the SI. And I've never had briskets come out so consistently perfectly cooked and moist like I do with the SI. Enjoy!

 

[gregbooras]

Welcome Ron,

My first electric was the Model 2, I now am a proud owner of a 3d!
Both amazing results.

Best Greg

 

[TexasSMK]

Welcome Ron, you made a great choice in smokers.  This forum is invaluable as well!  I was just out in Colorado Springs--working at Carson. Love it there!

 

[swthorpe]

Welcome from Delaware, Ron.  You will love the #2 ... I know I do!  Cheers

 

[LarryD]

Congrats!  I hope you end up loving your #2 as much as I do mine.  I thought about many other smokers, but ultimately chose this one on a friend's recommendation because of how little effort it requires.  I spend significantly more time preparing things to go into the smoker than I ever spend actually smoking them. 

Welcome to the family...

 

[ibbones]

Welcome from South Texas.  You are gonna love using the SI.
We had family over last night for a fish fry and I had pretzels in the smoker while we were all sitting outside...in tee shirts.

 

[RSBackyardQ]

Hey guys, thanks for the welcome.

I've been perusing the forum and getting all kinds of ideas for accessorizing and setting up the smoking rig. Just ordered a ThermoWorks Smoke thermometer. Should come in handy for the larger cuts of meat.

 

[barelfly]

Welcome and enjoy that smoker!!!

 

[NDKoze]

Welcome from ND Ron! You are going to love your #2.