Smoking Noob

[esizzleMD]

Hey everyone! New to smoking and Traeger. Got an Ironwood 885 for an awesome deal.

I can't stop using this thing! Lol.

Wondering if there is anything anyone wish they knew before they started their chronicles of smoked meat.

I have been doing a lot of reading, watching videos, and asking people I know personally.

Any advice would be appreciated!

Hope everyone will be enjoying their smokers this weekend. I already started mine with a ribeye! Picking up a butcher box in a few hours for the rest of the weekend.

 

[John S.]

If this is your first then there are some accessories that you should consider:
Thermapen MK4
Fireboard 2 w/ competition probes
smoke tube
grill grates
BBQ gloves
small vacuum
wide spatula
ice chest ( for resting the meat)

Plus more that you will think of once you get started( Lott’s of information here in the Forum) also Home Depot is a source for Pelletts at a discount (4 bags@ 14.99 exact)
‘Lowe’s has Pitt Boss…
lotts of accessories to get….
good cooking….

 

[JamesB]

I think the main thing for reliable success is an accurate instant read thermometer (Thermapen MK4) and an accurate leave in thermometer (FireBoard II).
The Traeger leave in thermometer is not accurate, no matter how many times you calibrate it. The ambient thermometer is usually not very accurate either. With the FireBoard, you can monitor the temp of the meat, and pit temp at the same time..

 

[Murphy's Law]

The one thing I'd recommend getting...a 2nd job to pay for all the crap you're about to buy!

 

[Jim G]

Enjoy your new friends when they find out you own a Traeger.

 

[JamesB]

The one thing I'd recommend getting...a 2nd job to pay for all the crap you're about to buy!

Indeed...I just got off the Thermoworks website... That was another 100 bucks...

 

[John S.]

The MK4 is often 30% off, just keep watching…

 

[JamesB]

The MK4 is often 30% off, just keep watching…

Yeah, I already have a couple of those...
I just picked up 2 sets of probe rings ( for my FireBoard probes), probe holders, and some silicone accessories...

 

[JamesB]

Now I’m gonna hit the FireBoard website and order 4 more short comp probes, and another ambient probe. I use the shorties more that any of the others, and I only have 2 at present. That’ll be close to another 100...

 

[JamesB]

Got a pellet caddy from Amazon, and it’s the best one I’ve seen, works great.

 

[esizzleMD]

Got a pellet caddy from Amazon, and it’s the best one I’ve seen, works great.
View attachment 5649View attachment 5650View attachment 5651

I already ordered that. On its way this week. Lol

 

[JamesB]

I already ordered that. On its way this week. Lol

I’ve used mine quite a bit, and the only thing I would change is to not cut that drier vent tube that short. 6” longer would be better IMO. But I’m sure that he was trying to cut the tube to get more than one out of each tube

 

[primeone]

Welcome to the forum @esizzleMD - Congrats on the new Ironwood!

 

[Rickg3669]

Hi also a noob here with a noob question. So I’m seasoning the grill and at first was putting out a lot of smoke then it was just hot with no smoke . Is that normal?

 

[JamesB]

Hi also a noob here with a noob question. So I’m seasoning the grill and at first was putting out a lot of smoke then it was just hot with no smoke . Is that normal?

At higher temps above 225-250, the Traeger burns very efficiently, so you will get much less smoke at those temps.
Most smoking is done at 225 and below..