Big Time Newbie

[breches]

Hi everyone! I just ordered the four rack Bradley and should be getting it in a couple of days. I am extremely excited about trying my luck at this new hobby but know virtually nothing about smoking. (other than the fact that I love eating) I will continue to dig through these forums picking any help I can find. If anyone could give me any start up suggestions for someone who knows nothing I would be very grateful. I am needing to convince my wife it was a good purchase but not really sure of a direction yet. I live in Nebraska and can't wait to get going. Thanks much for any input you might offer!

[KevinG]

Welcome to the forum breches. Get some pucks to season your new smoker, and look at getting a food thermometer to help you with temperatures. We cook by temp, not by time so forget about trying to figure out when it will be done, after a few runs you'll be able to get a good approximation of time, but every piece of meat is different.

[OU812]

Woo Hoo another Nebraskan!

This will give you some answers to your questions.

http://www.susanminor.org/forums/showthread.php?p=748#post748

http://www.susanminor.org/forums/showthread.php?p=36#post36

[OU812]

How rude of me.

Welcome to the fun breches, you will love it here.

[FLBentRider]

W E L C O M E  to the Forum breches!

Make sure you don't run the smoker with the vent fully closed.

[dbondy]

Welcome to the forum breches, stick around for awhile and have some fun. ;D ;D

[RossP]

Welcome to the happiest place on the net. ;D
I am sure you will love it here as all of us do.
And do not forget to post picture of your
food we like that here.

Ross

[azamuner73]

Welcome to the forum.

[oakville smoker]

welcome aboard
WARNING:  Surgeon general advises this is extremely addictive

[Tommy3Putts]

Welcome Breches.

You made the right choice with the Bradley.  I've had mine for three weeks and love it!  Once you get the hang of it, smoking will be a breeze.  Don't be afraid to ask questions around here, there are plenty of experts here and all willing to lend a hand.

T3Ps

PS--Boomer Sooner  ;D

[Quarlow]

Welcome Breches. You're going to love this place. Here is a few tips to throw around.

Vent info:

Keep the vent open when smoking. 1/4 to 1/2 or more
depending on what you are smoking.
For chicken keep the vent wide open because it has a lot
of moisture in it and you need to let it get out of the
tower. If you don't what happens is that moisture will build
up in the tower,(keeping temps down, since moist air has
more density and is harder to heat)and eventually it will
do two things:

First it will cause smoke to backup into your smoke generator,
destroying it over time.

Second it will cause black goo (condensed smoke) to rain
down on your food. We call it Black rain. Not good eats
at all.Mesquite-Very strong
Hickory-strong
Oak-strong but not overpowering
Pecan-mild version of Oak
Maple-Mild
Cherry-Mild & fruity
Apple-Mild, fruity with a slight sweetness
Alder-Light with a hint of sweetness

Heat mass

For your next smoke get a couple of bricks and wrap them
in tinfoil. Put one in the bottom next to the water bowl
and if you are not using the bottom rack for food then
stick the other one on that rack or set it on the v-tray
so as not to block the drippings from running into the
bowl. These act as a heat mass and help with temp recovery
after you put the meatload in or have opened the door. You can
also heat these in your oven before you put them in if you
want. Some folks do but I just let mine heat while preheating
the tower, if I was to do a butt I probably would preheat
in the oven.

I keep these clipped in a notepad file. Still working on more of them. Check out the recipe site there is a ton of good stuff on there.

[classicrockgriller]

Grab ahold of your Britches, Breches. You are in for a ride of your life.

This place is like the Twilite Zone.

You will be changed forever.

If you have any questions, just ask.

You have already got some great help.

Smoke Em' Low & Slow.

[ArnieM]

Welcome to the forum breches. 

Don't worry about asking dumb questions.  classicrockgriller has already asked them all  ;D

Seriously, ask away if you have any questions at all. 

[KyNola]

Welcome my friend.

Lots of people here waiting to answer any questions you may have.

[Tenpoint5]

Welcome Aboard!