Thanks Bob

[topgator]

I just got my new smoker that I won on The Price is Right (Thanks Bob and Bradley!!).  It has just made its way out of the box and looks awesome!  I've never used one before and you all seem like experts so I'm just going to follow along and see if I can catch a post I understand  ;) I'm looking for something good for the big Sunday Showdown.  Any suggestions as for what my inaugural meal should be?

[Arcs_n_Sparks]

topgator,

Welcome and congratulations. Season that baby up and start with something simple. I personally like pork butts, but that will take 8-12 hours or more, depending upon size. Others will be weighing in......

Arcs_n_Sparks

[West Coast Kansan]

Welcome topgator, that's a great win.  Might try some chicken. Does not take long and really pulls in smoke flavor. Might want to smoke light the first few times and adjust for your taste.

Lots of exploring and learning to do on the forum.  Great place to start.  Welcome again.

[LilSmoker]

Hi and welcome topgator, congrats on your win. You could do a brined turkey crown, very simple to do, and tastes delicious.
This will also feed quite a few, good luck with the maiden voyage..........LilSmoker

[Habanero Smoker]

Congratulations and welcome to the forum.

You may want to check out the recipe site.
http://www.susanminor.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=180

At the site, make sure you read these two articles first.
http://www.susanminor.org/forums/showthread.php?t=129
http://www.susanminor.org/forums/showthread.php?t=160

Don't wait until the big game. After seasoning, try smoking some chicken parts just to get a feel of the smoker, and to make sure everything is working fine. When smoking chicken with skin on, keep your vent about half open to make sure the moisture does not build up inside the cabinet.

If you don't have a meat probe, you should get one as soon as possible. The Maverick ET-73 is a favorite of many on this forum, but since you do have the digital a single probe model will do you fine. An instant read thermometer is also a handy thing to have around.

[topgator]

This is great- thanks for all of the suggestions!  She's seasoning right now.  What is the purpose of "FTC"?  I read that after you smoke whole chickens you wrap them in foil then a towel and put it in a cooler?  Why not just eat it?? 

[Habanero Smoker]

Some FTC chicken, I don't. FTC is good for cuts that have a lot of connective tissue that needs to be broken done, but it is not necessary for poultry. If the poultry has skin on it, FTCing makes the texture of the skin worse, and may cause the meat to over cook. I generally loosely tent it for 10-20 minutes, then serve.

[Wildcat]

I concur with all of the above.  Welcome to the forum and congradulations on the win.  Do you know when the show will air that you were in?

[Oldman]

I concur with all of the above.  Welcome to the forum and congradulations on the win.  Do you know when the show will air that you were in?

Welcome and do post when the show is going to air....

[topgator]

It actually already aired January 26th.  I had to bid $1 over the nice girl next to me for it....you gotta do what you gotta do!  It was worth it  :D  Had a blast and have it forever saved on my DVR.  My smoker will be a great conversation piece for some time!

[topgator]

There is a clip of the bidding war on the Bradley homepage.  Apparently I'm hard of hearing.  I'll be trying out a chicken today!

[LilSmoker]

Just saw the video, very shrewd bidding there, but this is where the real fun starts  ;)

[coyote]

Have fun Topgator and welcome aboard......Coyote

[NePaSmoKer]

Welcome topgator and congrats on your win for the BS. you will really like it.
Say try to post some pics of what your going to smoke.

nepas

[iceman]

Welcome topgator. Please do keep us posted on your adventures with the new smoker. Have fun.