Newbie from Nova Scotia Canada

[azamuner73]

Hi there,

  My addiction to jerky and smoked salmon had me looking into ways to make it myself to save money.  I've made beef and turkey jerky a few times now using a cheap dehydrator...sure it's not as good as say Jack Links but it starting to taste good. Haven't tried my hand at smoking yet, about to pull the trigger on a Digital Bradley Smoker, but I have attempted gravlox and it was pretty good.

In order to take my food to the next level, I decided I had to have a smoker.  I just got the LEM jerky cannon and am about to attempt make my first GB jerky this weekend.  Just started reading here and am getting some good advice.  I think these forums will become more important as I begin my journey into smoked foods.

So hello everyone!

[classicrockgriller]

Hello from Texas azamuner and welcome to the forum.

Hope you enjoy your Bradley and happy smoking.

[FLBentRider]

W E L C O M E  to the Forum azamuner73!

[MPTubbs]

Welcome from Nebraska aza73.

You'll like the ride here....lots of smok'n guru's on board.

keep the vent open and the smoke roll'n!

[KyNola]

Welcome friend!
Be sure to take a look at the jerky section of the forum as well as the fish section.  Excellent recipes and hints in there for your jerky and salmon needs.

KyNola

[azamuner73]

Thanks!

So much to learn it makes my head spin.  I'll take my time and soak it up though.

For a newbie just learning, would it be advantageous to buy the digital smoker and get a PID later?  Just learned what a PID was like 5 mins ago here on the site.  It seems like the digital would be perfectly fine for most foods and then if you needed a more stable temp, you could install one of those Auber PIDs.

Also a 4-rack should suffice yes?  They don't sell the 6-racks here in Nova Scotia.  Heck you don't get much stuff here really.  It's like Canada stops east of Quebec.  I had to even get my jerky cannon from Alberta which I plan to try this weekend.  Got some reading to do on GB jerky.

For us Canucks, where do you get curing salt?  I can't find it.  Some websites even say it's a controlled substance in Canada.  Do I honestly need curing salts or can I just use kosher or pickling salt?  I thought curing salts are mostly used to preserve meat for longer periods and to maintain a reddish color to the meat.

[RAF128]

Well howdy.    I see you've made gravlox.    I have too and I really enjoy it.    I wanted to add a smoke flavour but it got too warm in the smoker even by only running the generator only.    I've since bought a cold smoke adapter and am itching to make some more and cold smoke it.   Now all I have do is find a deal on fresh whole salmon.    It's pretty pricey out here.

[azamuner73]

Yeah the gravlox turned out nice...just like candy.  I tried a 2nd time and thought I'd get smart and try liquid smoke.  Turned out a little bitter and I had to play around with a little maple syrup to sweeten it.  Best to leave it alone or cold smoke it if you can I guess.  Live and learn.

Luckily Atlantic salmon is right on my doorstep, although the stores still charge too much for it.  I'd like to try some trout too, I hear that's quite yummy.

[TTNuge]

Welcome!

If your plan is to do a lot of jerky and salmon I for one would recommend to get the Original Bradley Smoker and an Auber PID right away.  Doing it that way the cost difference isn't as bad as getting a digital and then a PID later and I think you'll really enjoy the tight temp tolerances that the PID will give you right out of the box.

Either way you're sure to enjoy it.

Trent

[Mr Walleye]

Hi Azamuner73 and welcome to the forum from a fellow Canuck.

Here are a few suppliers in Canada for Cure #1

JB's Sausage Supply in Regina - http://www.jbsausagesupplies.com/

Halfords in Edmonton - http://www.halfordhide.com/

Stuffers Located in Langley BC - http://www.stuffers.com/

All good companies to deal with too.

Mike

[OU812]

Welcome to the fun axamuner73

[Halifax Aussie]

Hi there I,m if Halifax and just got 25kg(I'm in the Cooking industry) of Cure  called Super cure its the same as insta cure I plain selling on eBay PM and I will sell you some Super cheap !
oh by the way Welcome !

[lumpy]

Welcome to the forum you Bluenoser Eh!
Hello from Ontario.

Go for the 6 rack. After your first few smokes, you will wish you bought a larger unit.
I have the BDS and PID. I like all the blinking lights ;)

Lumpy

[KevinG]

Welcome azamuner73, there's nothing better than fresh jerky out of your Bradley!

[azamuner73]

Thanks again for the warm welcome.   :)

I'm just waiting for our only local supplier (Canadian Tire) or crappy tire to put them on sale again.  They have the digital for $100 off but it was just before Christmas and I couldn't bring myself to buy it because of the time of year.  I hope it goes on sale again or I will be kicking myself for not grabbing it when I had the chance.  Either way, I am determined to get one but for now I am playing the waiting game.