Buying first smoker. What do I need to go with it?

[danattherock]

I am going to buy a smoker. Brand new to the idea and begging for info here. I read all the reviews on Cabelas and the main complaint is the cost of the bricks. Where to buy them would be great info. Online sources? For that matter, where should I buy my Bradely smoker? I will post below something I put in the smoker section to offer insight about what my goals are. Also a pic of my area I hope to use the smoker. If anyone is feeling patient, please address the below questions. Hate to beg for info online, but I don't know anyone with a smoker.



I live in NC and love to cook on my grill. I cook half our meals in some way or another on the grill. I heard of smokers of course, but never seen one at a persons home. Just the big tow behind pig pickin cookers. I am interested to learn what a Bradely smoker can cook. I have heard tons about smoking fish, but to be honest, don't know what else. Also, what model should I get and why. For the sake of arguement, assume I am not overly worried about cost, but of course don't want to buy more than I need. Well, not much more anyway. I have my grill on my attached backporch. 8 foot ceiling and cedar sided house. Picture below. Want to know if I can leave this on the porch all the time. Is it a fire hazard? Is it going to decrease the life of the unit? Any info at all is most helpful. Thanks for your time and patience.

[Tenpoint5]

Give Brian a call at www.yardandpool.com He is a member on the forum and he will get you hooked up with everything you need and isn't going to try and push a bunch of extra stuff on you. Great bunch of folks work there.

[rdevous]

 
I got my Bradley Original Smoker from Amazon.com.  They have free shipping and fast delivery.

I also agree with 10.5 on Bryan at Yardandpool.  He talks it and walks it.  If you get a Bradley...Make sure you get a 3 set of Bubba Pucks.  They'll save you money in the long run by not having to burn wood pucks when you don't have to.  Ask Bryan about them.

I, like everyone else here, LOVE my Bradley!!!

Ray

[danattherock]

Thanks for the quick replies. I appreciate it. I emailed Yard and Pool and will look forward to getting a reply. One question I have, where do I put the smoker. Is it OK on the porch. I have a detached large garage, would that be better. Is smoke a problem in a garage or porch? Any nifty venting ideas for a garage/porch. Any suggestions greatly appreciated.

[mikecorn.1]

I have ordered a few things from yardandpool. they are quick. I have an et-73, 3 bubba pucks, and about to get the high temp screens. dont have a pid.

[Hopefull Romantic]

Hi Danattherock and welcome to the best forum around,

I have recently joined the Bradley family by ordering the BDS 6 rack along with all the bells and whistles, but that was since I live in Jordan and I thought since I am going to buy and ship all the stuff might as well do it all. I ordered the smoker, jerky racks, wire racks ET 73 cover and enough brissquettes to last me a good while. Recently, I put out purchasing a PID to a vote on this forum and the verdict came back to buy and therefore I ordered one from Auber labs. I did order the cover as well and thus placing the smoker became easy as the cover protects it well. I have mine on a second floor porch and it looks great.

Bradley is moreorless a low maintenance item. Aside from the normal cleaning of racks and trays, there isn't much else to do but clean the door seal and the front of the smoker (where the seal closes) with rubbing alcohol every so many smokes. With proper caring and operation, Bradley is gar from being a fire hazard.

One last word, this forum has many beautiful people who are willing to help, guide and assist in all aspects of smoking. Just ask away and note that there are no silly questions where these guys and gals are involved. Just ask away as I did. The people on this forum practically order my stuff for me. All I had to do was sign my credit card receipt.

Good luck


HR

[begolf25]

Thanks for the quick replies. I appreciate it. I emailed Yard and Pool and will look forward to getting a reply.

Hey danattherock,

Welcome to the forum. I am sure by the time everyone here chimes in you will know everything you need to but I would be glad to help you out with anything you need. I just wanted to let you know we have not received an email from you. Just wanted to be sure you have the correct email address. Feel free to send me a PM or click on my profile and use the email address listed there.

Bryan

[BigJohnT]

I bought the jerky racks for mine.

John

[aces-n-eights]

Hi Dan, i recognize your screen name from the Alaska Outdoor Forum - welcome to another great, active forum!

You have a lot of good questions - here's my stab at getting you going.  You should consider the Bradley as an oven that adds smoke to food.  Your grill cooks with direct heat, the Bradley with indirect.  Almost anything you can cook in your oven, you can cook in the Bradley.  The Bradley is designed to be a "low and slow" cooker - low temps and slow/long cook times.  Many meats require a long time so the internal tissues and fats get really tender and flavorful.

For instance, you might want pulled pork.  Buy a pork shoulder, rub a dry rub over it, place in the frig over night, then into the Bradley at about 250°.  You'll apply smoke for about 3 hours and continue to cook at 250 for another 5 or more to get to an internal temp of about 180°.  Low and slow.

I have an Original Bradley Smoker -OBS - and it works great for me.  I also have a Maverick ET-7 which is a dual probe, wireless thermometer.  I put one probe in the meat i'm smoking and the other hanging in the cabinet.  I can carry the receiver around so at a glance tell the internal temp of the meat the temp in the smoker.  I smoke a ton of salmon and my OBS works great.

Your screened porch looks like a fine location for a Bradley.  Obviously it emits smoke so if there is a way for the smoke to get into your house, it will.  I don't think it would be any more noticeable than "Oh there's something being grilled".   ;D

Enjoy reading here and don't hesitate to ask away - lots of really friendly and knowledgeable people here.

[danattherock]

Thanks for the quick replies. I appreciate it. I emailed Yard and Pool and will look forward to getting a reply.

Hey danattherock,

I just wanted to let you know we have not received an email from you. Just wanted to be sure you have the correct email address. Feel free to send me a PM or click on my profile and use the email address listed there.

Bryan

Bryan,

Thanks for the heads up. I used the "contact" feature on your site. I will try again. Mostly wanted you to suggest a model for my needs and some accesories. If you read this, a PM would be great if you find the time.

                Dan

[danattherock]

Hi Dan, i recognize your screen name from the Alaska Outdoor Forum - welcome to another great, active forum!

Why hello there aces. This does seem to be an active forum. Looking forward to learning more about smoking. Anything that allows me to spend time outdoors with beer is a no brainer:)

Thanks for your input!

Dan

[OU812]

Everyone have got you pointed in the right direction.

If you are going to store the Bradley out side dont forget to get the cover.

You might want to get a cart to set it on

[danattherock]

I just got off Amazon, Auber Instruments website, and Yard and Pool website. I ordered the stainless OBS for $375, 60 pack (variety biscuettes) x2, two smoking books, three bubba pucks, Maverick 73 thermometer, and the plug and play temp controller PID ($149). Now I just need to figure out what to do with all these new toys. Ha ha ha... I should be set up now and can't wait to give it a go. Thanks for helping me out. I do appreciate your time and thoughts. I will be sure to post some pics on the forum of any success/failures. I will expect a bit of a learning curve. Ribs will be first up. Thanks again!!

                                                                     Dan

[Hopefull Romantic]

Dan,

I salute your diligence in research. That is the only way to go. Now comes the hardest part....waiting for your new toys.

Good luck.

HR

[danattherock]

Thanks for your help. I learned everything I know about smoking on this forum in the last 24 hours. Tons of info and nice folks willing to help out. Glad I found you ;D