First time smoke advice

lachanophobia89 · 02-16-2013, 10:06 PM

Hi everyone! Monday I'm gonna smoke two slabs of baby back ribs and a whole baby chicken for the first time! Is there any advice you avid smokers could recommend to me so I can awe the girlfriend with my cooking skills

. I decided on using the 2-1-1 method for the ribs at 225. Will the chicken be fine with this method as well? Also should I put anything in the water pan or just wrap it in aluminum?

Thankks,

Rob

charrederhead · 02-16-2013, 10:10 PM

Welcome (relative) neighbor! I don't use a water pan- I have a foiled terra cotta dish. The chicken will do better at 300-350, imo.

lachanophobia89 · 02-16-2013, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by charrederhead

Welcome (relative) neighbor! I don't use a water pan- I have a foiled terra cotta dish. The chicken will do better at 300-350, imo.

Hey!! I was gonna smoke something last week before the 3 feet of snow, crazy New England weather! Aside from that the only problem I have is trying to get everything cooked at the same time. Is there a happy medium I can maintain the temperature for both ribs and chicken?

KotaChuk678 · 02-16-2013, 10:22 PM

Just cook it all together with keeping your eyes on everything, it'll be fine if you watch it it!

lachanophobia89 · 02-16-2013, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KotaChuk678

Just cook it all together with keeping your eyes on everything, it'll be fine if you watch it it!

I don't wanna sound like an idiot, but I just want to make sure I know what you mean by watch it? Like for drying out?

flyingbassman5 · 02-16-2013, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lachanophobia89

Hi everyone! Monday I'm gonna smoke two slabs of baby back ribs and a whole baby chicken for the first time! Is there any advice you avid smokers could recommend to me so I can awe the girlfriend with my cooking skills

. I decided on using the 2-1-1 method for the ribs at 225. Will the chicken be fine with this method as well? Also should I put anything in the water pan or just wrap it in aluminum?

Thankks,

Rob

Welcome!

Ribs are a good start. Baby backs will be good doing a 2-1-1. Start with a light wood like Apple, Maple, or Cherry. Hickory is a good start too but don't over do it. Add 2 or 3 chunks and that's it.

When you foil, don't add lame fluids like apple juice or beer or even water (

). Foil it with either a small amount of BBQ sauce or simply wrap it and let it sweat out and cook in its own juices.

Finally, if you decide to sauce in the last hour, do it towards the very end of the cook to help keep it from burning. Overcooked and burnt sauce on a rib is no good. Or better, don't sauce on the smoker and serve sauce on the side if desired.

Best method for ribs is the KISS method. Keep It Simple Stupid!

For the chicken, try cooking it separate at 350-375 or just grill it. Grilling it won't add a ton of smoke flavor but there is no shame in doing so. Use a good seasoning and don't over cook it on the grill and it will turn out great! Chicken cooked at 225-300 range tends to end up with a rubbery skin.

Say, what kind of rig are you cooking on anyway?

lachanophobia89 · 02-16-2013, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flyingbassman5

Welcome!

Ribs are a good start. Baby backs will be good doing a 2-1-1. Start with a light wood like Apple, Maple, or Cherry. Hickory is a good start too but don't over do it. Add 2 or 3 chunks and that's it.

When you foil, don't add lame fluids like apple juice or beer or even water (

). Foil it with either a small amount of BBQ sauce or simply wrap it and let it sweat out and cook in its own juices.

Finally, if you decide to sauce in the last hour, do it towards the very end of the cook to help keep it from burning. Overcooked and burnt sauce on a rib is no good. Or better, don't sauce on the smoker and serve sauce on the side if desired.

Best method for ribs is the KISS method. Keep It Simple Stupid!

For the chicken, try cooking it separate at 350-375 or just grill it. Grilling it won't add a ton of smoke flavor but there is no shame in doing so. Use a good seasoning and don't over cook it on the grill and it will turn out great! Chicken cooked at 225-300 range tends to end up with a rubbery skin.

Say, what kind of rig are you cooking on anyway?

Thats some great advice, thank you!

Nothing special just a vertical propane smoker I bought at cabela's. It's called a cajun injector, I believe masterbuilt makes them.

Skidder · 02-17-2013, 06:11 AM

Hows this sound your bb ribs are gonna take 4 to 4.5 hours or so and the chicken I would smoke for an hour or two then throw in the oven at 350 till done. You don't need the same amount of smoke for a chicken as you do ribs. Birds and ground meat tend to suck smoke more. A chicken at 350 will take about an hour so plan accordingly plus smoke and resting resting time. Resting for the chicken not you.

lachanophobia89 · 02-17-2013, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skidder

Hows this sound your bb ribs are gonna take 4 to 4.5 hours or so and the chicken I would smoke for an hour or two then throw in the oven at 350 till done. You don't need the same amount of smoke for a chicken as you do ribs. Birds and ground meat tend to suck smoke more. A chicken at 350 will take about an hour so plan accordingly plus smoke and resting resting time. Resting for the chicken not you.

That makes sense to get a nice smokey flavor out of the chicken..thanks!

BayoustateBBQ · 02-17-2013, 11:25 AM

What smoke are you using? Chicken will probably take longer at those temps depending in size. Keep in mind you need 190 degree internal temps on the chicken.

K80Shooter · 02-17-2013, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BayoustateBBQ

What smoke are you using? Chicken will probably take longer at those temps depending in size. Keep in mind you need 190 degree internal temps on the chicken.

Thats the first I've heard that. I go to 160* in the breast or 180* in the thigh. Can you explain the 190* reasoning.

Bludawg · 02-17-2013, 12:16 PM

Must be a Cajun thing

captndan · 02-18-2013, 08:20 AM

If you let that little chicken grow up there will be more to like.

lachanophobia89 · 02-18-2013, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BayoustateBBQ

What smoke are you using? Chicken will probably take longer at those temps depending in size. Keep in mind you need 190 degree internal temps on the chicken.

I have hickory and apple wood..I think I am gonna use the apple though.

chriscw81 · 02-18-2013, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lachanophobia89

I have hickory and apple wood..I think I am gonna use the apple though.

good choice!!

02-16-2013, 10:06 PM	#1
lachanophobia89 Found some matches. Join Date: 02-10-13 Location: Newington CT Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	First time smoke advice Hi everyone! Monday I'm gonna smoke two slabs of baby back ribs and a whole baby chicken for the first time! Is there any advice you avid smokers could recommend to me so I can awe the girlfriend with my cooking skills . I decided on using the 2-1-1 method for the ribs at 225. Will the chicken be fine with this method as well? Also should I put anything in the water pan or just wrap it in aluminum? Thankks, Rob __________________ Cajun Injector vertical smoker propane

02-16-2013, 10:10 PM	#2
charrederhead is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 06-29-12 Location: Thomaston, CT Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Welcome (relative) neighbor! I don't use a water pan- I have a foiled terra cotta dish. The chicken will do better at 300-350, imo. __________________ Weber kettle farmer, rotis., 18.5 WSM, WGA, Brinkmann (nee OK Joe) Cimarron stickburner

02-16-2013, 10:22 PM	#4
KotaChuk678 On the road to being a farker Join Date: 01-28-13 Location: White Plains, N.Y. Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Just cook it all together with keeping your eyes on everything, it'll be fine if you watch it it! __________________ bandera owner

02-17-2013, 11:25 AM	#10
BayoustateBBQ On the road to being a farker Join Date: 01-25-13 Location: Loseianna (LA) Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	What smoke are you using? Chicken will probably take longer at those temps depending in size. Keep in mind you need 190 degree internal temps on the chicken. __________________ "Real men like their Pork Pulled" How to smoke a 14 lb tender brisket in 4 hours!

02-17-2013, 12:16 PM	#12
Bludawg Babbling Farker Join Date: 07-04-09 Location: Jonesboro,Tx Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Must be a Cajun thing __________________ I never met a Cow that I didn't like with a little Salt & Pepper! Certified PORK-A-HOLIC

02-17-2013, 06:11 AM	#8
Skidder Babbling Farker Join Date: 02-02-08 Location: Westfield,Ma. Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Hows this sound your bb ribs are gonna take 4 to 4.5 hours or so and the chicken I would smoke for an hour or two then throw in the oven at 350 till done. You don't need the same amount of smoke for a chicken as you do ribs. Birds and ground meat tend to suck smoke more. A chicken at 350 will take about an hour so plan accordingly plus smoke and resting resting time. Resting for the chicken not you.

02-18-2013, 08:20 AM	#13
captndan is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 06-29-11 Location: Greeneville TN Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	If you let that little chicken grow up there will be more to like.