The First Real Big Test For My Model 3

I don't post too often but had to share some information.  I purchased my model 3 late last summer to replace a Bradley smoker I had for several years.  The reason for my purchase was that on July 5th of 2014 I made a trip to a local dumpster and tossed the Bradley into it!

My biggest smoke every year is on the 4th of July.  I typically fill the smoker up with as many racks of baby backs as it will hold as part of the overall meal for our guests.  Ribs served along with kabobs is our traditional meal on the 4th.  The Bradley did ok with smaller amounts of ribs, etc. but anytime I tried to fill it up, it would never get up to temp and I constantly had to fight having the ribs get cooked. I'd usually take them out in a panic and moving into them into the oven so they would get done.  Last year was the last straw.........thus my trip to the dumpster last year on July 5th!  I just got tired of all the drama.

I used my model 3 a few times last summer/fall with smaller amounts of ribs and salmon, etc. to get a feel for my new smoker.  I went all in for this year's 4th of July and filled up every tray in the smoker (10 racks of baby backs - roughly 30lbs of ribs).  I'll mention that I also purchased the Auber as well with the model 3 and it worked as advertised keeping the temps very consistent.  I'm here to say that the model 3 performed flawlessly!  1st hour at 140 degrees and right at 4 hours and 45 minutes at 230 degrees.  I never peeked once unitl the end.  Perfectly smoked and cooked ribs with great bark and almost falling off the bone meat.

I am sooooooooo stoked about the performance.  What a great smoker!  Again, I don't pass out praise very often but felt compelled to share for anyone considering the purchase of one of these Smokin-it smokers!

Thank all of you who helped me when I reached out while considering the purchase of this smoker and thank you to Smokin-it!

Big Red Home Smoker
 
Sounds like you had a big time this year on the 4th, and the only thing you took to the dumpster on the 5th this year were a lot of meatless rib bones!!  ;)

But was right there with you Terry!  My previous Brinkman gasser found a new home at the scrap metal center, right before I placed my order for my #3 in June!  Since I converted from gas to electric, it's been a learning curve the last few weeks.  But the smoker and its quality are top notch and you aren't going to find any better help than the guys on this forum! 

Nothing better than to be totally happy with a big purchase!....other than to have your wife agree it turns out the best BBQ that she's ever had!  8)

 
That's a great testimony Big Red! Thanks for sharing your experience with the #3. What type of wood did you use and how much? Thanks
 
Hi Terry!  Good to see you again!! ;D  Now that you have some good experience with the #3, join in the fun whenever you can!  We love to hear everyone's opinions/stories/ideas!  As you can see, we've grown a lot in the last year - thanks to folks like you!  Hope to see you around more often! ;)
 
Great story, I almost bought the Bradley because of the stainless inside. I just could not pull the trigger. Then I started the search and found the #3. The grandkids loved the chicken so well, we did a few chickens over the 4th and it was great.
 
Thanks everyone........

Dale, I used a combo of hickory and apple wood.  I don't have a digital scale (I will soon), but would estimate about 2 oz of each.  Pretty much one chunk of hickory and one chunk of apple.

Tony, you were one of the main forum members helping answer my questions a year ago that helped me make up my mind to purchase the model #3.  Thanks again for all your help!

Rod, I was just talking to my wife last night about my next ventures and both whole chicken and brisket were discussed.  Good to know that you had great success with the chicken.

Looking forward to testing this bad boy out on many more smokes!
 
Chicken works great on the SIs. Don't let all these "Pork Huggers" denigrate the yard birds (but pork is good too)
 
just takes one itty bitty extra step if you're looking to leave the skin on.  If not, then no extra steps needed and the chicken comes out very tasty
 
So what is that one little extra step Steven?  I've never smoked a whole chicken before.  I have smoked turkeys before on a different smoker.

I've been reading the forum and I'll most likely keep the skin on and will also most likely brine the chickens.  I think I'm also going to try Tony's (DivotMaker) brine recipe.

Thanks, 
 
Terry, chicken is great in an SI!  This post is a little old, but I haven't re-done it because it's still the way I do whole chicken!  Adding the chopped celery, onion and carrots to the cavity, imo, is the key to a spectacular smoked chicken!  See what you think...

Brined Whole Chicken
 
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