Finally got my smoker

[slatts]

Hi all

My Pro Q frontier finally arrived today, waiting on the maverick et 732 and will be off to get some charcoal soon.

The lid of the frontier doesnt seem to lock down tight like the stacks do, is this normal?

A few questions im afraid,

Is the weber charcoal in the white bag good to use.

I have 2 small pork shoulders to do sunday and 4 racks of ribs all from Costco, can I open the lid to put the ribs on while the pork is on, how much of a problem could it cause?

Also roughly how long would the pork take,they are small, 2lb each 3lb max, Ive watch videos on youtube and they was cooking over night but they was big lumps. Would I be looking at maybe 6-9hrs or an overnight cook then do ribs once the pork is out the frontier?

Sorry and thanks for any advice, I know every cook is different so I dont expect exact answers.

Many thanks
Slatts

[tommo666]

My lid doesn't lock down tight either not a problem. You'll notice on the first few burns that more smoke gets out between the stackers and lid than through the vent. Again this is normal and will soon almost stop once the Q is 'burnt in'. I'm no expert and have only done 6 or so cooks on mine but it's a good cooker, takes a while to get used to temp control.

I tried the weber white bag long lasting bricks and when i poured them from the chimmeny they fell apart in clouds of sparks and carbon dust. I'm sticking to lumpwood from now on.

Figure on 1.5 hours per lb of pork and double it for the 2 pieces, someone will correct me if i'm wrong i did a 3-2-1 for Costco ribs and they were a bit over cooked, i just changed the timings down after that.

[slatts]

Cheers Tommo

Exactly what I was after, ill pop to bookers one evening and grab some charcoal.

Ill put the pork on in the morning, atleast ill be around all day to keep an eye on it.

Many thanks

[tommo666]

The blue bag resturant grade charcoal seems to get a few mentions in the forums. I often work in Welwyn, middle of the night jobs..

[slatts]

Middle of the night jobs????
Are you the tooth fairy, burglar or batman

[tommo666]

Nope a lowly computer tech repairing stuff that has 24hr cover...

[slatts]

Not as glamerous as batman then

[tommo666]

No, no cape in sight. It does have it's pluses. If i'm out late i can detour via smithfields on the way home. Got a freezer full of ribs from the last visit.

[slatts]

Thats one place I need to visit!!!!

Think im going to need plenty of meat practising on the smoker.have to show the wife its money well spent!

[tommo666]

I don't really like ribs but the missus does so i can bank a few brownie points. I alway bung somthing on for me. Most of the traders in smithfields are now selling ribs. Awhile back ribs were a by product and might or might not be sold but now with 'foodie' places openning and cooking 'authentic' ribs the prices are rising. Smithfield is like 30 butchers shops down one road, the best prices are in bulk, but you can get a good deal for individual items. Next time i'll be scouting for brisket and pork shoulder.