New User in VA

[va_rider]

Hey Folks!! I'm new around here. Just ordered my model #2 yesterday, and it should be here tomorrow!

For the last 4-5 years, I've been using my propane grill as a smoker by covering up vents and rotisserie holes with foil, and using stainless smoker boxes over the outside 2 burners and placing the meat over the center two burners that are off. While I've managed to make some good stuff like this, I was tired of having to foil up all of the holes in my grill and I know I'm not getting the best quality this way. Since we're moving into a new house, I figured this was a perfect time to upgrade to a proper smoker. I'm still hanging on to the propane grill for when my 3yo wants a hot dog, but considering that every time I fired up the grill, it was typically for a 6-8 hour smoking session, I should be saving quite a bit on my propane usage.

I look forward to talking with you folks here. For now, I'm going to spend the rest of my day at work reading through the forum.

 

[swthorpe]

Welcome from Delaware, Aaron!  You will love the #2 (I know I do!) and it will be much easier to operate that what you went through on the grill!  That's why we call this the land of 'lazy Q'!  Lots of good advice and recipes on the forum, so I think you will be busy today (and tomorrow) reading through the posts, but it will be time well spent!  Cheers

 

[va_rider]

Ha! Lazy Q sounds about right.... I was about to get the XL Big Green Egg.... but this seemed much easier.

 

[swthorpe]

Definitely easier than the BGE, although my neighbor has one and now has me pondering if I should try one!  The SI does not have near the prep work that is required for the BGE and I think you will find that they produce great Q!

 

[gregbooras]

Welcome Aaron from Saint Augustine Florida.

You are going to really like your #2 smoker, not only will you have consistent and great smokes, but you will save money. One of my friends has a LP smoker and he uses a half bag of wood per smoke and lots of LP!

Greg

 

[bboroshaff]

Welcome Aaron from Saint Augustine Florida.

You are going to really like your #2 smoker, not only will you have consistent and great smokes, but you will save money. One of my friends has a LP smoker and he uses a half bag of wood per smoke and lots of LP!

Greg

I just smoked my first brisket on my new #2 and was amazed by the flavor from just two little pieces of hickory.  It truly was Lazy Q.

 

[gregbooras]

Welcome Aaron from Saint Augustine Florida.

You are going to really like your #2 smoker, not only will you have consistent and great smokes, but you will save money. One of my friends has a LP smoker and he uses a half bag of wood per smoke and lots of LP!

Greg

I just smoked my first brisket on my new #2 and was amazed by the flavor from just two little pieces of hickory.  It truly was Lazy Q.

Congrats Doug,

Greg

 

[Barrel99]

Ah..Aaron. Makes me smile to hear about " the old ways". This will be a new and wonderful experience for you. Enjoy it and best of Lazy Q to you.

 

[va_rider]

Stopped on the way home to get some stuff to make strawberry Jam...  And as if some sign from above, Kroger had ribs on special...  $16 got me 3 racks. That'll be a good start to Saturday's smoking session.  Now maybe a couple chickens as well...  Or, I've got a side of sockeye salmon lying around. Is it a bad idea to do ribs and salmon at the same time?

 

[swthorpe]

I always try to smoke items that are close in time needed; I think ribs and salmon would be very different in the amount of time needed.  I have not done salmon, but I doubt it will take 5.5 hours like the ribs!  I would smoke separately.

 

[va_rider]

Ah.... "Out  for Delivery".. The sweetest words I could read this morning.


I see your point on the ribs and fish. I think I'll do ribs and chicken instead.

 

[Grampy]

Congratulations and Welcome, Aaron from SW Arkansas! You made a great decision on the #2. I think you will be very pleased with the great bbq these babies can turn out. Stay active on this forum. The people on here are very knowledgeable and eager to offer tips and advice. 

 

[drains]

Welcome Aaron! Enjoy your #2 and ask questions. Everyone here is ready to share their experience with you. Happy smokin!

 

[va_rider]

Got it here... Got it unpacked and doing the initial seasoning..  Out of curiosity I didn't listen to the instructions and I dropped a temperature probe into it..  Well  over 320+ degrees. That's normal for an empty smoker I assume?

 

[swthorpe]

Yes, ignore the temp readings with an empty smoker...just sit back and enjoy the smell!  :

 

[va_rider]

I smell so amazing right now.

 

[DivotMaker]

Congrats and Welcome, Aaron!  You'll love your new friend, and will find you use it SO much more than the make-shift setup you were using!  I've been there, done that!

Yeah, don't worry about checking box temps during seasoning - it's drive you nuts.  Also, you really don't need to monitor box temp during a smoke, either!  Just set it, and forget it, until you hit the right internal meat temp (or time, for things like ribs).

I recommend the classic Boston butt for pulled pork for that oh-so-fine "inaugural" smoke!  You really get a good feel for how that bad boy performs on a long smoke, and you get to smell it all day!  But that's all you have to do - smell it!  No tending, adjusting temp, foiling, spritzing, etc...  Lazy Q All The Way!! 8)

 

[va_rider]

Ok. I've got the list for the inaugural smoke on Saturday. I'll be doing 4 racks of baby backs, a whole chicken, a tray of mac and cheese, and some brats.

Here's my plan, please feel free to give suggestions / guidance.

Tonight I'm going to prep the ribs, put the rub on, wrap them in plastic wrap and toss them in the fridge.  I'll make a brine for the chicken and also get that going tonight.

Tomorrow, I'll pull the chicken from the brine, possibly remove the skin, or put on a rub under the skin. I'm planning on tossing in 4-5oz of sugar maple chunks around 11am and loading the ribs (bone down) and chicken (breast down?) into the smoker at 225. I'm planning on the 3-2-1 on the ribs, so at the 3 hour mark (2pm) will pull them and foil them, then toss them back in. I'll have a probe in the chicken waiting for 165 internal. For the mac and cheese and the brats, I really only want about an hour of smoke (just want to get some smoke flavor on the brats, then finish them on the grill), so I was thinking of just tossing them on when I'm doing the final hour of the ribs, but at that point, there won't be much smoke left right? So should I add a chunk of wood? Or change the plan as to when things go on the smoker?

 

[swthorpe]

Wow, nothing like going big for the first smoke!    I wonder, though, if you will be able to fit the whole chicken and two racks of ribs in the smoker at the same time.  The ribs will need two racks and will need to be cut in half to fit, and a whole chicken will need a rack as well.  I guess you could fit the chicken on the bottom and ribs above, but I think it will be tight.  The chicken will likely need about 4 hours, while the ribs will need all of 5 hours.    I am not a fan of opening the smoke box once the unit is up and running (hot!), but you may need to add a bit more wood at the end if you want to smoke the brats and M&C.  When I do M&C, I let it smoke for 2 hours.

Good luck...let us know how it goes!

 

[Grampy]

My 2 cents, you may want to think about going 3-1-1 if you are using baby backs. The 3-2-1 method is used more with spare ribs. Baby backs will take less time than the spare ribs and I would think the 3-2-1 would be too long for baby backs . I am a big fan of the 5 hour no peek method for baby backs.