This weekend I lose my virginity - Page 2

NickTheGreat · 01-11-2013, 08:22 AM

Awesome. I remember my first time; It wasn't great. I was stressed, nervous, worried, and didn't really enjoy it. But don't let that discourage you, practice makes perfect

HankB · 01-11-2013, 08:25 AM

I'm with Ron_L in this. KISS and you will be happy. I'll add a couple more suggestions.

First, try to keep temps from going too high at the start. Look up "Minion method" for starting charcoal (put a relatively small portion of lit charcoal on top of an unlit bed to get things started.) That will help to keep temps from running away.

When you close up the smoker, close two of the three bottom vents. That should provide plenty of air. In fact, on my first smoke on my 18.5 it was leaky enough to hold 250° with all bottom vents closed. As smoke residue builds up, it will become easier to control.

Do use water in the water bowl to help manage temperature. Lots of more experienced cooks here will recommend a foiled clay saucer or similar and I suggest getting comfortable with temperature control before you try that.

Good luck with that first smoke! (and remember - pictures or we won't believe you.

)

SmokinSlowPoke · 01-11-2013, 08:57 AM

Congrats on your WSM, I popped mine about 2 weeks ago and have been addicted ever since! If you listen to these guys you are bound to turn out some good Que and just remember its only the begining, no where to go but up!

MI Smoke · 01-11-2013, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NickTheGreat

Awesome. I remember my first time; It wasn't great. I was stressed, nervous, worried, and didn't really enjoy it. But don't let that discourage you, practice makes perfect

U talkin about ribs, or your honeymoon?

Smokin' D · 01-11-2013, 09:59 AM

Everyone else pretty much covered it, so I got nothing to add except have fun and enjoy the process. I'm just down rt 114 a couple towns from you and beef ribs will be on the cooker here on Sunday. Good Luck!

BigHatBBQ · 01-11-2013, 10:16 AM

It's going to be great. Get a journal and take notes, it'll help you each time you look back and see what you did, what you liked, what you didn't like.

Midnight Smoke · 01-11-2013, 10:27 AM

Have fun on your maiden voyage!!!

Quint · 01-11-2013, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smokin' D

Everyone else pretty much covered it, so I got nothing to add except have fun and enjoy the process. I'm just down rt 114 a couple towns from you and beef ribs will be on the cooker here on Sunday. Good Luck!

Right off of RT. 114 near the mall not to far at all. I go to Casa Blanca all the time up by you.

Clayfish · 01-11-2013, 10:31 AM

+ 1 on the note taking/journal idea, I printed off log sheets from the VWBB (http://www.virtualweberbullet.com/cookinglog.html) and kept track of my first dozen or so smokes until I was confident enough to wing it.

Sometimes I wish I had carried on with this as there's always that time they turned out perfect you can't that recreate when not taking notes.

Have fun and enjoy your WSM - they do run better with beer in hand and a crazy lopsided smoke induced smile on your face!

HankB · 01-11-2013, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigHatBBQ

It's going to be great. Get a journal and take notes, it'll help you each time you look back and see what you did, what you liked, what you didn't like.

Thanks! I meant to say that and then forgot. You will improve faster if you do this.

Smokin' D · 01-11-2013, 11:36 AM

[QUOTE I go to Casa Blanca all the time up by you.[/QUOTE]

Azteca Cafe in Lawrence is my go to for Mexican food. Maybe a meet up for some chicken nachos and a couple of Negra Modelo's?

Quint · 01-11-2013, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clayfish

+ 1 on the note taking/journal idea, I printed off log sheets from the VWBB (http://www.virtualweberbullet.com/cookinglog.html) and kept track of my first dozen or so smokes until I was confident enough to wing it.

Sometimes I wish I had carried on with this as there's always that time they turned out perfect you can't that recreate when not taking notes.

Have fun and enjoy your WSM - they do run better with beer in hand and a crazy lopsided smoke induced smile on your face!

I've already got my Excel spreadsheet ready to go.......

Quint · 01-11-2013, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smokin' D

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quint

I go to Casa Blanca all the time up by you.

Azteca Cafe in Lawrence is my go to for Mexican food. Maybe a meet up for some chicken nachos and a couple of Negra Modelo's?

Sounds like a plan after I get a few smokes under my belt so we can compare notes...........

coolsterr · 01-11-2013, 12:49 PM

WOW! this thread is full of lust...lost virginity,marvelous rubs,sweet seduction, "go gentle with the rub" !!!! i like this thread...

anywayz...congrats on your new WSM!!!

hymenoplasty is the answer..LOL

MisterChrister · 01-11-2013, 01:11 PM

Don't forget to foil wrap your empty water pan so clean up doesn't suck. Good luck!

01-11-2013, 08:22 AM	#16
NickTheGreat is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 05-08-12 Location: Iowa Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Awesome. I remember my first time; It wasn't great. I was stressed, nervous, worried, and didn't really enjoy it. But don't let that discourage you, practice makes perfect __________________ 18.5" WSM ; Weber E-330 ; Weber Q200 (tailgating) . . . Guess I'm a Weber fanboy!

01-11-2013, 08:57 AM	#18
SmokinSlowPoke Knows what a fatty is. Join Date: 12-19-12 Location: Kansas City, MO Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Congrats on your WSM, I popped mine about 2 weeks ago and have been addicted ever since! If you listen to these guys you are bound to turn out some good Que and just remember its only the begining, no where to go but up! __________________ "Life is a Shipwreck but we must not forget to sing in the lifeboats"

01-11-2013, 10:16 AM	#21
BigHatBBQ Got Wood. Join Date: 06-28-09 Location: Mansfield, TX Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	It's going to be great. Get a journal and take notes, it'll help you each time you look back and see what you did, what you liked, what you didn't like. __________________ Beau Smith - Big Hat Bar-B-Q Smokers and Grills - www.bighatbbq.com

01-11-2013, 10:27 AM	#22
Midnight Smoke somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 01-24-08 Location: Southern Arizona Desert Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Have fun on your maiden voyage!!! __________________ ************************ * Terry ~ aka Pork Smoker * XL-BGE Hatched 06/20/2008 09:42 pm ** * Couple Weber Kettles, CharGriller, UDS * * Ultra Fast Red Thermapen * Projects Kamado Restoration Bandera Restoration

01-11-2013, 10:31 AM	#24
Clayfish Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 03-28-12 Location: Broomfield, Essex, UK Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	+ 1 on the note taking/journal idea, I printed off log sheets from the VWBB (http://www.virtualweberbullet.com/cookinglog.html) and kept track of my first dozen or so smokes until I was confident enough to wing it. Sometimes I wish I had carried on with this as there's always that time they turned out perfect you can't that recreate when not taking notes. Have fun and enjoy your WSM - they do run better with beer in hand and a crazy lopsided smoke induced smile on your face! __________________ 22" WSM, 22" OTG, WSJ, Mini WSM, WGA, Maverick ET-732, Red Thermapen and a ten year old gasser which hasn't come out of the shed since I got a taste of charcoal!

01-11-2013, 08:25 AM	#17
HankB is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 01-16-12 Location: Winfield, IL Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I'm with Ron_L in this. KISS and you will be happy. I'll add a couple more suggestions. First, try to keep temps from going too high at the start. Look up "Minion method" for starting charcoal (put a relatively small portion of lit charcoal on top of an unlit bed to get things started.) That will help to keep temps from running away. When you close up the smoker, close two of the three bottom vents. That should provide plenty of air. In fact, on my first smoke on my 18.5 it was leaky enough to hold 250° with all bottom vents closed. As smoke residue builds up, it will become easier to control. Do use water in the water bowl to help manage temperature. Lots of more experienced cooks here will recommend a foiled clay saucer or similar and I suggest getting comfortable with temperature control before you try that. Good luck with that first smoke! (and remember - pictures or we won't believe you. )

01-11-2013, 09:59 AM	#20
Smokin' D is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 12-11-07 Location: N. Andover, MA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Everyone else pretty much covered it, so I got nothing to add except have fun and enjoy the process. I'm just down rt 114 a couple towns from you and beef ribs will be on the cooker here on Sunday. Good Luck!

01-11-2013, 11:36 AM	#26
Smokin' D is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 12-11-07 Location: N. Andover, MA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	[QUOTE I go to Casa Blanca all the time up by you.[/QUOTE] Azteca Cafe in Lawrence is my go to for Mexican food. Maybe a meet up for some chicken nachos and a couple of Negra Modelo's?

01-11-2013, 12:49 PM	#29
coolsterr Is lookin for wood to cook with. Join Date: 03-30-11 Location: az Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	WOW! this thread is full of lust...lost virginity,marvelous rubs,sweet seduction, "go gentle with the rub" !!!! i like this thread... anywayz...congrats on your new WSM!!! hymenoplasty is the answer..LOL

01-11-2013, 01:11 PM	#30
MisterChrister is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 04-28-12 Location: Richland Center, WI Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Don't forget to foil wrap your empty water pan so clean up doesn't suck. Good luck! __________________ '69 Redhead 2X Stainless Performers TS Performer Mystery Blue OTG Simpsons SJ SJG WGA A "few" others