New BDS6 On The Way

josbocc · July 06, 2008, 10:41:27 AM

Just ordered my new Digital 6 rack smoker, and was hoping that some of you folks could give me a few suggestions on what to try first. I played a little with smoking a couple of years ago, but this will be my first "real" attempt at creating tasty foods. (Don't bother suggesting the ABT's, that's one item that will definitely be on day one's menu).

Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Jeff

westexasmoker · July 06, 2008, 10:48:44 AM

Welcome to fourum Jeff

Really whatever floats your, everything in your BS will turn out great! Chicken is probably the easiest to turn out, weather it be whole or cut up - Another easy to do is the chicken wraps or beef wraps! Brisket, Ribs....its all good! And of course use mesquite! ;D Good luck and keep us posted!

C

josbocc · July 06, 2008, 10:55:46 AM

Made sure mesquite was one of the three packs of briquettes that I picked up. Smoker ships to me (in Upstate NY) tomorrow from Oregon. I start vacation on this coming Friday, and hope to have the smoker with me at camp. With any luck..., the fish will cooperate, and I can try my hand at that as well as the chicken that I know Momma will love.

Thanks for the tip!! ;)

FLBentRider · July 06, 2008, 10:59:25 AM

W E L C O M E to the forum josbocc!

Chicken is easy and forgiving, (and relatively fast). 3 hours or so

A pork Shoulder (Boston butt) is easy and takes a while. 10 to 20 hours.

Ribs and brisket can be a little tricky.

I have learned much from the members here, I hope you will too.

KyNola · July 06, 2008, 11:31:24 AM

Welcome aboard Jeff!
Lots of good food and fun coming your way. I'm with the other guys, chicken is probably the easiest to begin with but don't sweat anything. Take a shot at whatever you feel like trying. There are a bunch of folks on here who are eager to help you out. Don't be afraid to post your questions often. I'm still learning and basically these guys and gals taught me all I know and didn't holler at me once.

Have a great time and let us know your results.

KyNola

Mr Walleye · July 06, 2008, 11:37:28 AM

Welcome to the forum Jeff.

These guys have pretty much covered it. What you could do, once you decide what your going try, is post your plan ans ask for some guidance on it. Lots of experience here on the forum and everybody is more than willing to share. Keep us posted good or bad because everybody learns from it.

Good luck

Mike

West Coast Kansan · July 06, 2008, 10:56:15 PM

Click on the smoker below many of the posts you see on the forum. It will take you to the recipe site. The site is filled with ideas from many smokers here and has a lot of good information about how not to get sick and what to try first. Enjoy 8)

gordo13 · July 07, 2008, 10:36:40 PM

Hi Jeff,
Go for the ribs... ::)
This form makes it so easy to do..
I just wished I had taken pictures this weekend. I had a forth of July Party and I think Bradley should send me some sample pucks and shirts. My friends and family have been emailing me all weekend on how to order a smoker. Walmart online is the best price I have seen.
Smoke out and have fun.
PS apple juice and jack daniels spray works really good on the ribs ;D

bigcatdaddy · July 08, 2008, 07:07:18 AM

Hi Jeff and welcome!!!!!!

You can obtain a lot of great information for the folks on this site, but BEWARE!! They will twist your mind with wonderful techniques,rubs and suaces that may turn you into something your not ready for. Now every piece of food I see sends a message to my head.....Hmmmmm.... I bet that would taste good with a little Apple or Hickory smoke. My wife now fears for the pet Cat!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Great people on here. They have great information and knowledge.

Good Luck and HAPPY SMOKIN

BCD

HCT · July 08, 2008, 10:28:47 AM

Welcome Jeff, enjoy your new smoker. ;)

FLBentRider · July 08, 2008, 11:00:39 AM

Quote from: bigcatdaddy on July 08, 2008, 07:07:18 AM
BEWARE!! They will twist your mind with wonderful techniques,rubs and suaces that may turn you into something your not ready for.

We resemble that remark.

I remain, on hydrocodone, commenting at a distance. ;)

josbocc · July 08, 2008, 05:02:19 PM

Thanks for all of the wonderful feedback. Smoker shipped this morning, vacation is next week, and I hope to try to bedazzle my friends and family with smoked fare whilst we enjoy the great outdoors here in Upstate NY.

Just one more question before I start getting busy..., I have yet to see any info on cleaning this beast. I purchased a digital smoker from Dick's Sporting Goods last year, used it once, and neglected to clean it right away. Yeah I'm a bit of a procrastinator. When I went to use it this spring, I opened the door and was appalled at what I saw. Not only was it rather ripe, but the residue from the smoke and vapor actually ate right through the metal on the inside. I had about a half-dollar sized hole that exposed the insulation. Needless to say, the $220 dollar smoker became a permanent resident of the local landfill. How often should the unit be thoroughly cleaned, and what should be used to clean it? Any suggestions (to help me save a $500 investment) would be appreciated as well.

Thanks Again,
Jeff

westexasmoker · July 08, 2008, 05:52:14 PM

Hey Jeff, I think you'll definte bedazzle your friends with what you turn out....I'm not much help with how to keep it clean in your neck of the woods, I use (or should say will, I've had mine for 4 months) every weekend, the weather is not too bad not to....but clean all racks, vtray, water bowl and bottom tray after each smoke..the only other thing I do..once again I'm landlocked in Texas, is wipe down the door seal and sealing area after every smoke. Another thing I've found handy is to use compressed air to blow out the SG and bottom of any left over mesquite ;D debri, and now and again take apart the SG and clean it out with the air. One thing I've noticed, and one of the more seasoned vets will chime in, is that you don't get the creasote build up like you do in your offset, but once again I'm kinda a newbie with this wonderful tool..and plan on just keeping the basic's clean and keep a smokin!!

C

KyNola · July 08, 2008, 06:01:53 PM

Jeff,
Folks with far more experience than me will chime in here but here is what I do. After every smoke, clean the racks, clean the drip tray and the water bowl. Clean the seal around the door and periodically clean the vent area. Someone else gave you the info on cleaning the smoke generator so I won't bother. One thing I have never done is to clean the interior of the box. It's called seasoned. Have a great time and let us know what you're doing next.

KyNola

Habanero Smoker · July 09, 2008, 03:10:07 AM

KyNola and westexasmoker have it pretty well covered.

The only thing I can add is when you see some flaking on the inside, I use a crumbled up newspaper and lightly brush off any loose material.

The pitting you described should not have occurred, the inside is galvanized steel. The only thing I could guess would be there was fat that my have got mixed in with the ashes from the puck; that combination plus moisture can make lye; a caustic substance. Or it could have been a poor quality sheet of metal.

PS
What landfill do you use? :)