***Official Smoking (Meat and Stuff) Thread***

AgronAlum

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Jul 12, 2014
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Im just getting into smoking and am looking for a couple recommendations.

First is what thermometer to buy. I would like something wireless to my phone with a decent range and automatic alerts if temps go outside the desired range.

Second is a reference book with smoking basics and recommendations. It looks like there’s a lot of options out there but I can’t decipher what ones are good or bad.
 
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CY88CE11

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Im just getting into smoking and am looking for a couple recommendations.

First is what thermometer to buy. I would like something wireless to my phone with a decent range and automatic alerts if temps go outside the desired range.

Second is a reference book with smoking basics and recommendations. It looks like there’s a lot of options out there but I can’t decipher what ones are good or bad.

Not really a book, but a ton of good information about methods, science/theory, equipment, etc. at www.amazingribs.com.
 

CubsClones1

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Not really a book, but a ton of good information about methods, science/theory, equipment, etc. at www.amazingribs.com.

I'll second amazingribs.com for anything bbq/smoking related. Meathead's Memphis Dust rub is by far and away my favorite rub to make at home for pork, which is a recipe off of this website.

As far as wireless thermometer that syncs to your phone I've heard good things about the iGrill2 but I have no personal experience with it.

Congrats on joining the bbq/smoking community!! It's a very fun and addictive hobby. What kind of smoker you starting out with?
 

cycloner29

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I have a GMG Daniel Boone pellet smoker. Love it. Just did a rack of St. Louis style ribs on Sunday. Depend on your price range. Since I have the Wifi controller on my smoker, I am able to calibrate my grill temps and therm temps. I have a couple cheap Mavericks but rarely use them, just when I have 6 pork shoulders or 2-3 briskets on.

This has been a great site for info: www.pelletfan.com

Also, anyone want to get together for pellet order? I know some others that are interested in possibly doing this.
 

Mr Janny

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Not really a book, but a ton of good information about methods, science/theory, equipment, etc. at www.amazingribs.com.
Agreed. You don't really need a book, although there's nothing wrong with getting one. There are plenty of resources available online. Recipe sites, message boards, etc.

Smoking meats is a great hobby, in my opinion. It's the best on fall weekends, because it gives you an excuse to stay around the house and watch football.

"I'm sorry, hon. I won't be able to make that artisanal glass blowing class with you. I just put in a pork shoulder, and I'm going to need the hang around for the next 9 hours and add wood chips every so often. Bummer. But, you have fun. And would you mind picking up more beer on your way home? I've only got 6 left. Thanks, hon."
 

AgronAlum

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Jul 12, 2014
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I'll second amazingribs.com for anything bbq/smoking related. Meathead's Memphis Dust rub is by far and away my favorite rub to make at home for pork, which is a recipe off of this website.

As far as wireless thermometer that syncs to your phone I've heard good things about the iGrill2 but I have no personal experience with it.

Congrats on joining the bbq/smoking community!! It's a very fun and addictive hobby. What kind of smoker you starting out with?

Thanks for the recommendation.

The smoker isn’t anything special but I’ve had some good food off of it. It’s a 40” Masterbuilt Sportsman Elite that got passed on to me from someone that got a new one.
 
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ISUCyclones2015

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4th amazingribs.com. Truly the best resource on the web when it comes to BBQ. He made a cookbook a couple years ago that you can find here but I don't own: http://amzn.to/2HvTb49

I own 3 BBQ books (2 gifted) and they are all pretty good but nothing extraordinary. My favorite is probably the Barbecue Bible: http://amzn.to/2GznWEi

The other two I own are the Franklin Barbecue Manifesto and Smoking Meat: Essential Guide.

Thermometers I don't use a wireless I go semi old school with a liquid thermometer in the smoker with a handheld digital one to check the meat every so often.
 

Clonefan32

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Agreed. You don't really need a book, although there's nothing wrong with getting one. There are plenty of resources available online. Recipe sites, message boards, etc.

Smoking meats is a great hobby, in my opinion. It's the best on fall weekends, because it gives you an excuse to stay around the house and watch football.

"I'm sorry, hon. I won't be able to make that artisanal glass blowing class with you. I just put in a pork shoulder, and I'm going to need the hang around for the next 9 hours and add wood chips every so often. Bummer. But, you have fun. And would you mind picking up more beer on your way home? I've only got 6 left. Thanks, hon."

You've managed to capture the essence of smoking meats. Putting something on the smoker on a cool fall morning, and not doing anything more than getting drunk and occasionally adding wood chips. And when it's all said and done, you have something beautiful that people think your drunk *** has labored over all day.
 

Cydkar

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I've literally only smoked 2 things (pork butt/pulled pork and a bacon wrapped/jalepeno stuffed pork tenderloin) and I'm already addicted as hell.
 
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Mr Janny

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You've managed to capture the essence of smoking meats. Putting something on the smoker on a cool fall morning, and not doing anything more than getting drunk and occasionally adding wood chips. And when it's all said and done, you have something beautiful that people think your drunk *** has labored over all day.
Yep. I live for that stuff. I love doing it for gatherings. My go-to is chicken thighs. People go bananas for them. They only take maybe 2 hours total, and are very inexpensive. They come out all gleaming mahogany and amazing, and look fantastic piled up on a serving platter. They look like a ton of effort went into them.
 
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Farnsworth

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Apr 11, 2006
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I'd be interested in thermometer recommendations as well. I have a Traeger and have a digital thermo but no wireless support which would be nice.
 

Farnsworth

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Yep. I live for that stuff. I love doing it for gatherings. My go-to is chicken thighs. People go bananas for them. They only take maybe 2 hours total, and are very inexpensive. They come out all gleaming mahogany and amazing, and look fantastic piled up on a serving platter. They look like a ton of effort went into them.

That's my go to as well and is always a hit. For big gatherings I'll throw on a brisko though.
 

cmjh10

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Agreed. You don't really need a book, although there's nothing wrong with getting one. There are plenty of resources available online. Recipe sites, message boards, etc.

Smoking meats is a great hobby, in my opinion. It's the best on fall weekends, because it gives you an excuse to stay around the house and watch football.

"I'm sorry, hon. I won't be able to make that artisanal glass blowing class with you. I just put in a pork shoulder, and I'm going to need the hang around for the next 9 hours and add wood chips every so often. Bummer. But, you have fun. And would you mind picking up more beer on your way home? I've only got 6 left. Thanks, hon."

You sleep on the couch a lot don't you?
 
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CubsClones1

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The smoker isn’t anything special but I’ve had some good food off of it. It’s a 40” Masterbuilt Sportsman Elite that got passed on to me from someone that got a new one.

Gotta start somewhere! A hand me down one is how I started out too. That was about 15 years ago and it's definitely become an addiction for me now lol
 

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