Newbie from St. John's, Newfoundland

[bradleyj00]

After much deliberation, I finally pulled the trigger and bought a Digital 4 rack smoker. I've been an avid brewer and food enthusiast for years, and very excited to learn my way around smoking.

Just wondering if someone might suggest a simple newbie recipe that would help me learn the ropes. Chicken, ribs, fish, whatever, it's all good. I have my smoker seasoned, and ready to roll.

Thanks,
Jim Bradley

[SiFumar]

Welcome!  You're really going to enjoy your new addiction!  This is a link to our recipe site, (besides the ton of them here ;D)  http://www.susanminor.org/forums/    It has a lot of information there also.  I did chicken for my first smoke....because it is fairly quick.  2hrs smoke with vent wide open.  Cook until IT of 165F(74c) for(3-4hrs) . The skin does not get crisp...but if you take it off at a lower temp you can finish on grill or in hot oven.  I'm sure others will be along to welcome you and give suggestions!  Also take pictures to post here!

[mikecorn.1]

Welcome to the forum. Yard bird or some ribs.


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[slowpoke]

How she goin bye.Welcome aboard.Chicken (yard bird) is a good starter,Many great recipes here.Sifumar has got you covered. ;D

[bradleyj00]

Thanks guys. Hoping to give it a try today. Looking forward to the reaction from the local butcher when I ask for a few yard birds.
Jim

[KyNola]

Welcome to the forum!  If you are going to do chickens make sure the vent is 100% open.  Poultry holds a ton of moisture and releases it as it is cooking.  You want that moisture out of the tower as soon as possible as the moisture released will actually hold your cooking temps down and and also condensate on the ceiling of the tower and drip nasty foul tasting black rain on to your meat.  It can also run down the inside of the door and drip outside of the smoker on to whatever your Bradley is sitting on and stain it.(Don't ask me how I know that last part :o)

Poultry is a smoke sponge.  Better to use less the first time and say "That could have used more smoke" than to say "WOW, that is too smokey".  Use a couple of hours of smoke for your first time out. 

Preheat your Bradley has high as you can get it.  When you open the door to put your chickens in you will lose a ton of heat and because the chickens are cold it will take a while for the temps to build back up.  Don't sweat it.  It's just the nature of the beast.  You may also see wild temp swings.  That's normal when meats are first put in the Bradley.

Have fun and if you have any questions don't be afraid to ask.

[muebe]

Welcome to the forum ;)

[Smoker John]

Welcome to the boards, bacon wrapped yard birds = yummy

[ghost9mm]

Hello and welcome to a really great forum...

[Kahunas]

Welcome,
I would say to start simple and practice practice practice. Chicken and ribs with simple rubs or even just salt and pepper until you see what you really like. Cook to temperature not by sight and you should be just fine. Don't worry about fancy recipes until you figure out what you like and the nuances of your smoker. For rubs you can try store bought and I have heard good things about a Jan's rub recipe on here and might be a good place to start. Lurk here a lot, ask a lot of questions, drink a few home brews (best beer on earth) ( I brew too) you will get more answers than you know what to do with and you will learn a ton from some very experienced people.

[Salmonsmoker]

Welcome to the forum bradleyj00. ^ What kahunas said. Also a homebrewer and BJCP beer judge. Great collection of smoker knowledge here.

[bradleyj00]

Thanks to everyone for the warm welcome, and assistance. I've tried the Country Smoked Chicken recipe from the Bradley site, and it turned out great. I'm sure there will be some learning and adjusting along the way, and I look forward to it.

I have some ribs ready to go for tomorrow, and planning a pork belly (bacon) for later this week. Also hoping to smoke some local mussels in the near future. It's all good.

[SouthernSmoked]

Welcome to the forum...Enjoy!

http://www.susanminor.org

Remember we like pic's!!

[beefmann]

welcome aboard