Having just bought my first Bradley Smoker, I was kindly at a loss in figuring out what other tools I might need.
I found I needed a bunch of other items to make my smoking more pleasureful and productive.
What are some items and tools you can not do without when preparing, smokings, eating food you've made in your Bradley?
A PID to control the temp in the smoker and frog mats to go on your racks. Makes them much easier to clean, you can purchase them from Yard and Pool. Those are some of the first I would go with.
A good wireless thermometer long sleeved bbq gloves
Here's a short list:
Frogmats Non-Stick High Temperature Smoker / Jerky Screen 10" x 13"
(http://www.yardandpool.com/frogmats-non-stick-high-temperature-smoker-jerky-screen-10-x-13)
Maverick Wireless BBQ Thermometer Set - Maverick ET732 (http://www.amazon.com/Maverick-Wireless-BBQ-Thermometer-Set/dp/B004IMA718) (there's a newer ET-733 out now)
Bradley Smoker Bisquette Saver (http://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=111)
These are perfect for shredding pork butts by hand. Quick and easy without needing oven mitts.
http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/1/1/133651-just-grillin-barbecue-grilling-claws.html
Before you go buying a bunch of stuff or mod your unit, do some cooks in it. As you go along you will see things that you would like to do different or wish you had a "tool" for. Then post some questions on what you want to accomplish and others can give you better ideas of what you should have. Otherwise you will end up with some stuff you don't need ( don't ask how I know).
I would invest in a decent remote thermometer so you don't have to keep opening the door.
I'd get a thermometer. I wouldn't change anything till after you cooked with it some. If it's gonna sit outside, I'd get a cover
do a few smokes,
I recommend the following
1) remote thermometer like the et 732 or et 733
2) good pair of high temp rubber gloves that are food grade quality
3) frog mats
4) puck savers
5) tub to pre soak your racks and v tray in to get the bulk of the grease off
6) if you want tighter temps in your smoker an auber pid ( digital temperature controller )
What do you guys think about putting together a list of suggested accessories for people with various levels of smoking experience and seeing if we can get those lists pinned at the top of the accessories forum?
I'm proposing this as a starting point.
Stage 1 - the new smoker
Smoker cover (if you will be storing your smoker outdoors)
Wireless remote thermometer (many forum members use the Maverick et732 or the newer 733, several other brands are also available)
Puck savers, three
Frog mats
Gloves, rubber, heat resistant, food grade
Putty knife, metal (to scrape residue off puck burner)
Plastic storage bins (to store bisquettes)
Sheet pans/jelly roll pans, approx. 13 X 18 (having two or three rimmed sheet pans is handy)
Heavy duty extension cord with 12 gauge wire (if you will need to use an extension cord; keep cord as short as possible)
Recipes - www.susanminor.org (Our TimeTested and Proven Recipes)
Stage 2 - Sausage Meister
Temperature controller/PID (some folks use the plug and play version of the Auber PID, others build their own controller)
Smoke sticks (to hang sausage in smoker)
Sausage stuffer
Turkey roaster, 22 qt. (to finish cooking sausage in a hot water bath)
Jerky gun, to make ground meat jerky, also useful for breakfast sausage
Stage 3 - Expand your repertoire
Cold smoker attachment
Stage 4 - Permanent smoker station
Garden/storage shed
Stage 5 - is there a stage five?
I'm sure with this addiction there are many more stages to build upon. I like your list and it's a good idea.
I agree. Nice job!!
I highly agree with GusRobin
At first from reading ad much as I could on the form I was feeling like I couldn't smoke without all the accessories people were talking about. Start with a few simple smokes and move on from there! I finally just got my ET 733 and am quite happy as I feel like I'm ready to tackle some bigger pieces of meat now
But also because I'm more comfortable with the Bradley itself from my uses!
Quote from: mevswild on January 02, 2014, 10:47:42 AM
I highly agree with GusRobin
At first from reading ad much as I could on the form I was feeling like I couldn't smoke without all the accessories people were talking about. Start with a few simple smokes and move on from there! I finally just got my ET 733 and am quite happy as I feel like I'm ready to tackle some bigger pieces of meat now
But also because I'm more comfortable with the Bradley itself from my uses!
Good suggestion. Any accessories list should be preceded by a suggestion that the reader approach smoking as a hobby that you grow in to. And that the accessories suggestions are things to consider purchasing over a period of time as the reader gains more experience. Just the way each of us has approached accumulating our smoking accessory kits.
I see accessory lists as a bit of a problem solving key (and a potential gift list for the smoker's spouse). Each accessory is on the list because we have found it helpful in making our smoking easier and more enjoyable. In that vein, I think it is important to try to put the lists in the order that we suggest any purchases be made. That is, the first or second purchase for the beginning smoker should probably be an appropriate extension cord. Everything else probably comes after an extension cord and a smoker cover, if the smoker needs either of those items.
add:
Adult beverages
I personally like making jerky so a good jerky gun. Not one of those cheap plastic ones but a good metal one. Also works great when you get into sausage making for brealkfest links.
Quote from: BAM1 on January 14, 2014, 11:36:42 AM
I personally like making jerky so a good jerky gun. Not one of those cheap plastic ones but a good metal one. Also works great when you get into sausage making for brealkfest links.
Ever since I started making ragweed's ground jerky rounds I haven't pulled out my jerky gun and doubt I will for a long time. :)
I would also add a larger water pan, like 9x9x2, and a foil wrapped brick to the stage 1 list.
Quote from: pokermeister on January 14, 2014, 01:45:09 PM
a foil wrapped brick
What is the foil wrapped brick for? Does it go in the smoker?
If you don't have the 2nd element or the 900 watt element, a way to keep heat is to put a brick (most, bit not all, foil wrap it) on the floor next to the bowl. It acts like a heat sink and keeps up the temp when you open the door. It is not as good as a bigger or dual element but it helps. Some even heat the brick in an oven prior to putting it into the cabinet.
I see the price for the Bisquette Savers have come down quite a bit.
Now they are only $16.45 a set on ebay.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/BRADLEY-SMOKER-WOOD-SAVER-PUCKS-3-pack-/261176829828?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3ccf5a2784 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/BRADLEY-SMOKER-WOOD-SAVER-PUCKS-3-pack-/261176829828?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3ccf5a2784)
They were damn near $30/set when I bought mine, years ago. They are still one accessory, I use on every smoke though, and well worth the cost.
When getting started I found that the only thing extra that was needed was a good remote thermometer and a table on which to place the unit. A kitchen pot holder worked well for taking racks out of the smoker, you should get used to the machine as delivered before going crazy with mods. After a few cooks, and reading here, you'll know what else YOU will need. the thermomenter is an absolute must.
clean up is involved with smoking also so a good tub and a stiff brush come in very handy
After hearing of a few grease fires in Bradleys, a good fire extinguisher would be a great accessory. Just for peace of mind when things don't go as planned.
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I had a buddy that had a Cajun injector catch on fire so that may not be a bad idea.