advice for newbies

henapple

first off, you're not a newbie... you're a neo, New egg owner...a newbie can't do anything, you can.

be easy on yourself and don't get frustrated... it'll come

don't buy the egg and automatically buy everything you can... and wait to build your table till you get the feel of what you need and want...I think a thermapen is a must though.

there is no " best charcoal"... if your happy with it... roll on. if you don't like Ozark Oak though you're a dumbass

get involved on this forum. it's a wealth of info and filled with great folks. search for answers but ask the questions you need answered.

don't be overly sensitive... there are disagreements on here and someone will rag on you. who cares?

go to an eggfest.. and cook.

be adventurous... try your own way

share pictures, fails and wins

whether your cook is good or bad it's a win. you've learned more than you knew.

cook more than needed and share with your local firehall, emt station, orphanage, etc

it is a cult... and it will change the way you cook and view food.

I've only been egging since last August and these are just a few lessons I've picked up.

Sookie

It took me some trial and error as a new egger a few years ago.  I overcooked and undercooked a few things.  That's where your advice on the thermopen is invaluable. 

To Henapple's advice I would add play with smoke chip flavors. 

A coworker of mine took a bite of chicken I heated up as a leftover for lunch and his exclamation was "holy God..."

This victory too can be yours. 

rtt121

Good advice!

That's a lot of posts for 8 months of egging.   



Just ragging you.

henapple

I'm an addict... and can't shut up.

Mickey

I agree with henapple the Thermapen is the most important first item you add. Cook to temp and not time. Also you will pick up more in the 4 to 6 hours at an EggFest than 6 months on your own. Pictures are a must, this is lunch:

The Cen-Tex Smoker

and just because Tony blatantly advertises on here that he wants to meet you (a total stranger) on a dark side road with the lure of cheap lump, that does not make him creepy. He's a wonderful fellow.

Foghorn

The Cen-Tex Smoker said:

and just because Tony blatantly advertises on here that he wants to meet you (a total stranger) on a dark side road with the lure of cheap lump, that does not make him creepy. He's a wonderful fellow.

Tis true.

Centex on the other hand...

LDR

I enjoyed this post when I was getting started, reading everything:

http://eggheadforum.com/discussion/1144663/some-things-i-have-learned/p1

 

 

The Cen-Tex Smoker

LDR said:

I enjoyed this post when I was getting started, reading everything:

http://eggheadforum.com/discussion/1144663/some-things-i-have-learned/p1

 

 

That one is a classic. Great read for new and "experienced"

Firemedic183

Awesome post and great advise. I particularly like the idea of sharing failures so that we can all learn something.

Little Steven

henapple said:

first off, you're not a newbie... you're a neo, New egg owner...a newbie can't do anything, you can. be easy on yourself and don't get frustrated... it'll come don't buy the egg and automatically buy everything you can... and wait to build your table till you get the feel of what you need and want...I think a thermapen is a must though. there is no " best charcoal"... if your happy with it... roll on. if you don't like Ozark Oak though you're a dumbass get involved on this forum. it's a wealth of info and filled with great folks. search for answers but ask the questions you need answered. don't be overly sensitive... there are disagreements on here and someone will rag on you. who cares? go to an eggfest.. and cook. be adventurous... try your own way share pictures, fails and wins whether your cook is good or bad it's a win. you've learned more than you knew. cook more than needed and share with your local firehall, emt station, orphanage, etc it is a cult... and it will change the way you cook and view food. I've only been egging since last August and these are just a few lessons I've picked up.

And let the white smoke clear

Plano_JJ

"if you don't like Ozark Oak though you're a dumbass"

 LOL! Have to agree, its about the best there is, for me at least =D>

I haven't even been egging a year yet and I completely view food, especially BBQ differently. Have learned a ton on here and will be cooking in the Plano Eggfest this year. Have also had several failures, mainly briskets. Have had enough success to where my family asks, "what are you cooking next?"

Just for fun, here are some ribs from Easter weekend with my homemade rub on them. They were a hit. 

Plano_JJ

Skiddymarker

henapple said:

I'm an addict... and can't shut up.

And most of us are very glad you don't, always entertaining and worth a look, keep it up Oh, poultry fruit man. 

Village Idiot

And, when the dome is down, ALWAYS burp it before raising it.  I learned the hard way.

tamu2009

@village idiot... egging on halloween? or is that real?

Village Idiot

tamu2009 said:

@village idiot... egging on halloween? or is that real?

pssst.  I'm pretty good at Photoshop.

Mickey

tamu2009  Just don't piss VI off. The photos to your wife are not helpful..... Tough to explain to wife you have never been to Paris and sure don't know that woman (if he is being nice). Man if he is really ticked offl.....

Village Idiot

Mickey said:

tamu2009  Just don't piss VI off. The photos to your wife are not helpful..... Tough to explain to wife you have never been to Paris and sure don't know that woman (if he is being nice). Man if he is really ticked offl.....

Bartender !  I'll have what Mr. Mickey is having.  It seems to take your mind where sane people have never been.

tamu2009

Hahaha. Not trying to piss off, just thinking to myself "damn he's holding realllly still with a AWEFUL burn."

I've been burned badly and couldn't have held still for a picture like that so I was thinking he was a badass!

henapple

probably drunk...

Mickey

It's a high hanging curve ball......... .... Please substitute dumb for bad!!!!!

Tjcoley

Here's another list of 'Things I've learned on the Forum' from a while ago

http://eggheadforum.com/discussion/1143425/things-ive-learned-on-this-forum/p1

bud812

You must always have a drink in your hand while tending that hard to control cooking device.(so SWMBO thinks thats why you drink so much)