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The blue smoke is actually what you're after. It's the billowing white smoke at the very beginning of the burn that you want to avoid. Once a fire is going well, there will be a thin blue smoke to even no smoke depending on how much wood you put in with the charcoal. Personally, I incorporate...

I use spray on my smoker grates, but for grilling, I don’t. I heat up the grill, brush it and then wipe it down with an oiled paper towel. My grates are SS and this process seems to work very well. Didn’t read the above articles, but my understanding is that sticking is mostly due to not...

Unfortunately, people like to eat at something close to a designated time. To deal with that, I’ve learned that the best thing to do with butts and briskets (the large meats) is to plan for several hours of hold/rest time wrapped in the cooler. That way you have a good buffer. Things like...

I was thinking the same thing. One of the tricks when roasting a bird is to ice the breast before you put it on so that it doesn’t get done before the thigh. Never seen it the other way around. I prefer pieces so that I can pull each when done.

Why does it recommend taking the temp to 160? Couldn't you eat them raw? Similarly, why/how did you settle on 144? For me, I just don't see the benefit. Frankly, those ingredients look more harmful to me than real beef. I've always been one to eat what it is. I never drank diet soda and if...

As said, it can be whatever you want - cheap or expensive. I'm a bit of a minimalist. I love gadgets, but I refrained, for the most part, from indulging in BBQ equipment. A WSM with a cheap thermometer is all you need. I definitely find value in my Thermapen, though it's hard to argue that...

Why wouldn't you just get another Taylor? They're $12.74 on Amazon. For pit temp, I've been using mine just hanging it through the top vent and it works fine. Sure, if I was going to spend money, I'd likely get a Smoke 2-channel. But for under $15, you'll be back to where you were before the...

I try to be a minimalist, but if I ever get another thermometer, it would be a Smoke. I used to have a Maverick, but I basically just stopped using it. Once I got real familiar with my machine, I just didn't need it. At most, I'll hang a probe in the top vent to make sure my temp is in the...

I read your post about disposing of ash and thought you are on a wooden deck. Then I read this post which confirmed it. In your situation, I would not use the WSM on the deck. As you mentioned in your ash post, the deck is on your second level which is cause for concern. Do you even have a...

I'll use just about anything, but look for higher quality lumps to try. Royal Oak is my default brand. As was said, not the greatest, but reasonable cost and usually available. The main thing about using lump is that you have to pack the ring. You don't need to go crazy, but get your hand in...

The pictures look great! You did well. It sounds like the ash was choking out the fire. If it wasn't that, it very well could have been the use of old charcoal. For awhile, you should start with fresh charcoal, just to rule out any issues. However, when you say you blew into the inlet valve...

I guess I'm a Neanderthal, but I've really never noticed any real difference in charcoal. Fire is fire. Of course, the lump has less ash and I like that. And sure, sum lump has crap in it that I'd rather not have, but overall, if it lights, I can cook with it. If I want it hotter, more air...

Too bad the pictures do not seem to have showed up (at least not for me). Why did the fire almost die on you (5 times)? What did you do to get it going again?

I agree with the others who say to remove the bacon. I’ve just never been able to make it work. The bacon doesn’t cook well, it doesn’t improve the moisture of the loin and everyone just removes the half cooked bacon when you put a slice on their plate. Personally, I’d remove the bacon, brine...

Exactly. Keep cooking and you'll be getting what you want out of it, no matter the brand. FWIW, my first several cooks on my WSM were pretty rough. Temps were anything but stable and me tinkering with it all the time didn't help. However, before long, I could get it to hold temp rock solid...

Why did you give up when the temp rose? That’s the time to learn. You don’t need to worry about the temp going too high on a butt cook. Sure, you don’t want it at 400 degrees for an hour, but moving it down from a spike is a skill you want to learn. Not familiar with your cooker, but there...

Wow, six chunks of wood is a lot. It is a subjective thing though so have at it. If you haven’t used that much smoke wood before, I’d start at half that and work my way up or down on future cooks. If you check temps every 15 minutes, you’ll drive yourself crazy. Check it often early and...

I’ve never done the snake method, but I would imagine that it would be a lot easier to do with briquettes. Good luck on your next cook. FWIW, you’re not alone. It takes a few try’s to get it right, learn your cooker and be able to sleep through the night. Staying up and watching the cook...

So, what happened? Did it run out of fuel or did the fire go out because of a break in the snake? It is probably best to start the next one in the morning, but unless you have some idea what happened, you're in for a struggle.

One thing I do that is easier than pounding them or butterflying them is just to cut them across the breast. That yields a slim piece and a fatter piece from each half breast. Then I just take the thinner pieces off a bit earlier. That way the thin end isn’t over cooked - easy. I do agree...