Newbie from Georgia

[georgiagirl]

Hi everyone..  I'm a newbie from Georgia.  I just smoked for the first time-- a 2-lb salmon filet.  I used the citrus salmon recipe from the book  "Smoke and Spice".  YUM!!  The salmon is out of this world delicious, and it only took about 40 min after I warmed the smoker.  The taste is light and I plan to chill it before having dinner.  I'd invited someone over for lunch tommorrow to taste my first smoked salmon,  BUT he'll have to eat something else-- I plan to hide the salmon and keep it for myself (no leftovers for him!)
I also bought a boston butte roast today (which I have never cooked).  I plan to start that one tommorrow morning and then make a recipe called Memphis Mustard Pork from the same cookbook.  I chose boston butt after lurking here and reading your recommendations.

I can't wait to try to smoke a turkey breast.  Any suggestions from the experts here?  I used alder for the salmon... not sure what to use for pork roast -- probably Special Blend.

How long should I let the smoker cool before putting cover back? What do you do with the unused/unburned biskets.. Do you leave them in the smoker. I look forward to learning lots from you guys. :D  -- GeorgiaGirl

[KevinG]

Welcome aboard georgiagirl! Sounds like you don't need any advice, you've got the goods and keeping them to yourself.

I'm not sure what model smoker you have but if it's the DBS, you don't have to wait too long to put the cover on, the outside of the smoker should be pretty cool all the time.

If the bisquettes aren't burned too bad you can re-use them, but if burned completely on one side you probably should toss them. Invest in some bubba pucks and that will eliminate that problem.

For turkey and chicken you probably want to keep the vent wide open.

[classicrockgriller]

Hey there georgiagirl.

Welcome to the forum.

If you are talking about non used bisquettes in the tube, I wouldn't

leave them outside as they can absorb moisture and swell.

If you have any questions, just ask.

[KevinG]

I guess I didn't think about what she did there. I usually don't have any left in the tube. I would put them in a ziplock bag and back in the box they came from that way you can identify what flavor they are later.

[OU812]

Welcome to the fun georgiagirl

Smoked salmon is the bomb.

When doin a butt I like 4 hr Pecan, check this out.
http://www.susanminor.org/forums/showthread.php?p=36#post36

When you have leftover bisquetts put them in a zip lock bag, I wright the kind of wood on the bag, and put it back in the box.

[ArnieM]

Hi georgiagirl and welcome to the forum.  Glad to hear your salmon came out good.  Butt is also good but takes quite a bit of time.

[georgiagirl]

Thanks everyone!  This looks like such a helpful forum.  I am marinating my pork roast as I type.  As suggested, I will try the pecan (iif it's in my sampler pack), and will let everyone know how it turns out.  Not only is this my first SMOKER experience,  I have never even cooked on an outdoor grill.  From my first try.. I really like this. 
Does anyone have suggestions for getting rid of squirrels and chipmunks?  My backyard is full of oak trees.
:)

[KevinG]

12 Ga. shotgun works pretty good.  ;D No, I haven't heard of anything that would work in a residential neighborhood.

[ArnieM]

Easy Kevin, my wife buys peanuts to feed our Chippies  :-\

[KevinG]

When I lived in Chicago, I used to feed them too. My parents used to get real upset at me. They'd give me warnings about rabies and how they bite. Never stopped me from having my fun with them. Used to love watching their antics.

[Whatchasmokin]

Bring the squirrels to an IT of 160, the chipmunks to 170 with 2 hours of apple. A couple done like that should give the rest the idea. Please take pics and welcome to the forum.

[ArnieM]

I put the peanuts in the smoker.  They came out pretty good but the lil' varmints wouldn't crawl in there.

[HawkeyeSmokes]

Easy Kevin, my wife buys peanuts to feed our Chippies  :-\

I'm guessing she want to plump them up before you smoke em!

;D

[NewfieSmoker]

Welcome aboard!

Its great that the salmon turned out.  I dont think there is a better way to cook fish!  Once you get used to your bradley, you should definetly try Kummok's recipe for Smoked Salmon.  It trully is the best!  Good Luck, and post some pics of your smokes


Newfie