new and want to be informed

[armpower]

hello everone i am a new bradley owner.   my first smoker, a bradley digital 4 rack,   got lucky and found one in the cabellas bargen cave. ;D     i will be seasoning this week and try my luck on sat for the first time.  i think i will most likely try chicken.     but long term am looking forward to jerky and sausage, due to the fact that i hunt alot and have wild game to make things out of.     any tips you are willing to share i am willing to learn.   look forward to getting to know all of you.

ps could not figure out how to spell check :(

[La Quinta]

Don't worry about spell check Armpower!!! Welcome to the "family"!!!

[Consiglieri]

First, Welcome!  Based on past experience, I think you'll be adding this website to your favorites.  Although the search function has its limitations, you'll be able to find a number of ideas for smoking techniques and other cooking projects.  When you search, make sure you do so from the home screen.  For some reason, that seems to make for the best search results.

A couple of ideas for you:

1.  When you smoke foods using the Bradley, only a portion of the cooking time is devoted to burning pucks.  Most people will apply smoke for 4 hours or less, even for a 12 hour smoking project.  Overall smoking (as opposed to cooking time) is a matter of personal taste.  For larger projects, like pulled pork, I will smoke for 4 hours out of the 14 or so it takes to cook the meat.  For babyback ribs, I'll smoke for 2 hours 20 minutes out of the 5 to 6 hours the project will take.  For chicken, I wouldn't apply smoke for more that 1 hour.  Birds tend to suck up the smoke flavor quicker and too much is way too much.  Check recipes to see how long a project will take and how long smoke was applied (adjust smoke to your personal taste).

2.  The temp guage on the Bradley is one of its shortcomings.  Most here will recommend that you get a remote digital thermometer.  I think most here use the Maverick ET 73, which has two probes: one to monitor meat temps and one to monitor box temps. The Maverick has some shortcomings too (the on/off switch is the main one that comes to mind), but it does a good job and will sound alarms when your smoker goes too hot or too cold or your meat temp has been hit.

3.  Look into obtaining a couple of metal pucks (bubba pucks) so that you don't have to waste two bisquettes each time you do a smoke. 

Good luck, welcome to the forum, and have fun!

[Wildcat]

Welcome to the forum.  Other than what was mentioned above, all I can recommend is that you have patience, experiment, and have fun.

[armpower]

thanks for all the input and the welcomes i hope to become a regular poster on the board

[begolf25]

Welcome to the board armpower!

[hillbillysmoker]

If you want an easy and outstanding chicken recipe to start with, I recommend Old's Bacon Wrapped Chicken Rolls. It was my first smoke way back when, and is still a favorite. I would include a link to the recipe in case you're interested. Have fun.
http://www.susanminor.org/forums/showthread.php?t=43

[LilSmoker]

Hi and welcome armpower, you'll enjoy using your new Bradley  ;)

Chicken is always good as a first smoke

LilSmoker

[iceman]

Welcome armpower. You'll have fun here.

[Ontrack]

Weclome armpower. All I can suggest is to go back and read old posts like I did and learn from many experts. There is more information on this forum than you can take in at one time, so just read when you get a chance and ask any questions you may have. Congratulations on your Bradley purchase and let these smoking "pros" show you the way to many delicious meals!

[mics]

welcome,you can never stop reading and learning here.good smokin for ya

[armpower]

thanks everyone.   is there a place to read and learn what wood works best for what?


thanks

[Wildcat]

thanks everyone.   is there a place to read and learn what wood works best for what?


thanks

Generally it is a matter of taste, but yes - there are numerous posts on this forum with recommendations, trials and error, etc.

[Habanero Smoker]

This site has a good guideline of what wood goes with different meats and vegetable.
http://www.susanminor.org/forums/showthread.php?t=26

While you are there you should check out the rest of the site.

[HCT]

Welcome armpower, this is a great place for information.