Best Bisquettes?

[roberts22]

Hey all,
New to the forum and in the process of ordering my OBS from Amazon right now and I am like a child waiting for Christmas morning.  Was a long time charcoal enthusiast, but have been researching the OBS for a month now and I just need one in my life.  Anyways, been reading up in the forum (which by the way, this place is awesome), and I still had a couple of questions that I could not find the answers to:
1.  What bisquettes are the favorites out there?  I know there are listings on here of what to use with specific smokes, like with salmon and pork, but I wanted to get a real feel from the users.  I am a beef, pork, jerky and chicken guy, and would rarely do salmon or fish.  I have used mainly hickory up to this point and love it, but how is the Jim Bean flavor?  Others?
2.  What accessories are a must have to begin?  I think I am gonna hold off for right now on the PID route, but what about the following:
- Jerky racks?
- Recipe book?
- Bubba puck saver things?
- Anything else?
Super excited to be here and get my OBS soon!  Thanks for your help all!

[FLBentRider]

Hey all,
New to the forum and in the process of ordering my OBS from Amazon right now and I am like a child waiting for Christmas morning.  Was a long time charcoal enthusiast, but have been researching the OBS for a month now and I just need one in my life.  Anyways, been reading up in the forum (which by the way, this place is awesome), and I still had a couple of questions that I could not find the answers to:
1.  What bisquettes are the favorites out there?  I know there are listings on here of what to use with specific smokes, like with salmon and pork, but I wanted to get a real feel from the users.  I am a beef, pork, jerky and chicken guy, and would rarely do salmon or fish.  I have used mainly hickory up to this point and love it, but how is the Jim Bean flavor?  Others?
2.  What accessories are a must have to begin?  I think I am gonna hold off for right now on the PID route, but what about the following:
- Jerky racks?
- Recipe book?
- Bubba puck saver things?
- Anything else?
Super excited to be here and get my OBS soon!  Thanks for your help all!

How to start a debate on the Forum? Ask about which wood! LOL.

I would get a sampler pack.

Apple is a good light wood, Hickory a good strong one. I would try them all and form your own opinions.

Here is a wood guide http://www.susanminor.org/forums/showthread.php?26-Bisquettes&p=36#post36

I would forgo the jerky racks and get the high temp jerky screens from Yard and Pool.
http://www.yardandpool.com/High-Temperature-Jerky-Drying-Screen-p/hitempjrky.htm

Recipe book http://www.susanminor.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?180-Our-Time-Tested-and-Proven-Recipes

Bubba pucks - yes you need them.

Adult beverages.

You can make some great food without the PID, it just makes it easier.

[squirtthecat]

If you don't want to opt for a full blow PID, a Ranco temperature controller works nicely.

Here is a thread on it:

http://forum.bradleysmoker.com/index.php?topic=15391.0


The only problem is that it maxes out at 220°.

[DarqMan]

Which wood for which food is kind of like pairing wine with food.  It's really a personal preference. 

The Jim Beam pucks are made from the Jim Beam oak barrels and I like using them on brisket. 

I've discovered that I like apple when doing baby back ribs with a few hickory or pecans in the stack.

I held off on getting the PID for a while but if I had it to do over would have bought it sooner.  The dual probe is well worh the money.

Congratulation on the new smoker and welcome to the forum.

[roberts22]

Good to know on the PID and thanks for the alternative on the Ranco - that intrigues me!!!  Does using the PID make it that much easier?  Where is the cheapest and best place to buy the bubba pucks?

Seriously - this forum is like crack - I can't get enough!!!

Thanks Again,
BR

[DarqMan]

The PID makes a huge difference.  It will hold the CT +- 2 degrees of where you program it so there's no need to keep a constant watch on it. The dual probe will turn the smoke generator on and off too.  Read this page for all it will do.

http://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=8&products_id=151&zenid=f050840472bdb0dc389d0abb0b2cb1dd

While you're at the site, there is a less expensive single probe model with fewer bells and whistles but still extremely useful.

[digitalshaw]

just finished my first brisket. Came out great. Similar history as yours. I would highly recommend the dual probe with the remote. Wow. Made it so easy. I didn't have to open the smoker once, and could make all the heating adjustments based on the probes. I bought the Maverick 73 dual probe combo from Amazon. Well worth it. On the bisquettes, I bought some Jim Beam, apple, and Hickory. I layered them and it came out great. I don't think you can go wrong with any, just would get a slight different smokey taste. I'll just keep experimenting.

Good luck~

[classicrockgriller]

Welcome to the Forum roberts22!

You have got some great answers, now get out there and smoke something.

Besure and post pic!

Try this link to get your pictures going.

http://www.susanminor.org/forums/showpost.php?p=768&postcount=11

link to recipe site.

http://www.susanminor.org/forums/

link to FAQ's

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

[KevinG]

I'd probably invest in a good thermometer, the Mavericks are nice as they let you walk away from the smoker.

[DarqMan]

This is a good inexpensive Maverick with a remote.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FAB8GA/ref=oss_product

[roberts22]

Hey all,
Thanks for the input and so excited to get started!!!  I actually dont have the OBS yet - still waiting on getting gift cards from our credit card points to order so I should pop its cherry next week or the week after, although I am gonna stock up on meat that will hopefully be on sale for Memorial Day.  Since I was into smoking before, I already have a Maverick single probe but would you suggest getting a dual?  If I had the dual, would I put one in the smoker and one in the meat?  Since the Maverick DarqMan recommended is so cheap, and it is a part of the 4-3 promotion on amazon, I might pull the trigger on it.  As for the PID, the dual will go on my Christmas list for sure.

Seriously - thanks to all of you for making this forum my new addiction....I dont even have an OBS smoker yet and I already know more about smoking than I did from several years of playing with charcoal!

BR

[KevinG]

They've got two different two probe models, one set does the meat and cabinet temp (ET-73), the other set is for two different meats (ET-7). The ET-7 can be used like the ET-73, it just doesn't have the clip. I actually like the ET-7 better because it does a little more than the ET-73.