New guy here. Going to buy a Bradley this morning.

[RandyOKC]

So I was watching the food network the other day and was just about to fall out of my chair in hunger watching these guys smoke meats.  I said to myself why not go buy a smoker and start a new hobby?  I'm pretty good with a grill and love to eat so I think I'll learn how to smoke.

After some research I've decided on a Bradley digital, either a 4 or 6 tray.  Probably buy whatever hits me or whatever they have in stock!

Anyway I'm about as newbie as one could be to this whole process so I've been reading the forums alot and I'll be back with plenty of questions I'm sure.

To start however what should be the first cut of meat I try for my virgin run?  I'm thinking brisket.  Any other suggestions?

Also, can anyone point out any predictable rookie mistakes I'm likely to make?

And what does FTC mean?  Like I said, I'm pretty green.

Thanks for your help.

[3rensho]

Hi and welcome to the forum.  Here's a good place to look for recipes and general Bradley cooking info - http://www.susanminor.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?180-Our-Time-Tested-and-Proven-Recipes&s=b3ef526ef191ba67ef67d9bffd00e46e

I started off with a Boston butt and made pulled pork.  That's a pretty forgiving cut.  FTC = Foil, Towel, Cooler.  A technique for letting the meat rest and keeping it warm.  Wrap cooked meat in foil, wrap that in a towel and then place in an insulted cooler (no ice) for around two hours or more.

Predictable rookie mistake?  Probably would be closing the top vent.  Always keep it at least half open.  When doing poultry keep it all the way open since chickens, etc. give off a LOT of moisture.

Have a look at the recipe site (above link) at it'll give you a lot of gret info from Bradley FAQ's, posting pictures (we like pictures) to great tried and tested recipes.

Have fun.

Tom

[TestRocket]

Welcome Randy,

Many of us smoked a chicken or ribs for the first cook because of the time involved in butts and brisket. But don't let me talk you out of that brisket. And yes we do like PICs so try this link to help you get started!

Good Luck!  ;D

[dman4505]

Welcome and congrats on the new hobby
Rookie mistake would be not having patience, keep hands off the door they call it low and slow for a reason
Get a themometer almost all your meat will be done according to internal temps not by time
A good starter would be boneless ribs or chicken
Have fun and post pictures
Any questions post them on the site everyone here is very helpful

Don

[Caribou]

Welcome to the Forum Randy :)
Congrats on your new purchase!
Carolyn

[GusRobin]

I would go with a butt,chicken or ribs as the first cook. They are more forgiving. A brisket can be a difficult first cook.

[Keymaster]

Welcome, Did the store open yet  ;D ? Don't forget your hickory Pucks and extension cords are not recommended but if you must, Get a heavy duty one  ;D

[KyNola]

Welcome Randy.  Like others I would recommend you hold off on that brisket for a while.  I would  either smoke a chicken(vent open all the way) or some sort of pork.  A smoked pork loin is very easy to do and doesn't take a long time.

[Jim O]

Welcome and  congrats Randy .

Don't forget to season your smoker before your first smoke.

My first smoke was pork tenderloin,and it turned out awesome !

Got me hooked!

I suggest a wide open vent for everything you smoke.

Let us know what your final choice was when you get your Braqdley.

Good luck


Jim O

[beefmann]

welcome to the forum.

a few things to consider as well, is how much meat you  will be doing at once, the 4 rack can do 40 lbs pretty easily depending on the cut of meat and the  6  rack can do 60 lbs ,  this should be one of the  items you  consider. of course digital is nice to control the temperature and keep it constant.

i would do a pork shoulder or butt for my first  smoke , season it , let it  stand  for a few hours   then into the smoker.

also buy a wireless thermometer to watch the temp of the  meat. some get  dual probes  when they  due more then one  piece of meat.

plan on 1 to 1/2 hour per pound of meat to smoke and cook in the bradley.

order a small quantity of all bisquets and try them all

beef

[scoville]

Hey Randy, your gonna love it, just used my BD6 for the first time last night. Made some ribs and they turned out perfect gonna hit it with some chicken tonight. Good luck with the brisket can be a little finicky for the first run though. IMO I would do something simple like ribs first just until you get used to it. I have quite the arsenal of smokers but the BD is by far the best one so far just set it and forget it ;D.

[Indy Smoker]

Welcome aboard Randy!
I suggest starting off something simple the first go round.  You will get hooked right away so don't worry and there are plenty of recipes here for you to work with.

[FLBentRider]

W E L C O M E  to the Forum RandyOKC!

[TestRocket]

Did you buy it yet...did you buy it yet?  ;D