Hi, new smoker from Berkshire

[MyLeakyBucket]

Hi all,

I'm new to smoking this summer and looking forward to getting some advice to improve my BBQ-ing.

In terms of set up, I have a cheap-ish barrel grill for messing about on supplemented by a Maverick ET-732 thermometer. So far, I've smoked baby back ribs, pork shoulder, beef brisket and chicken, with mixed results. The pulled pork and ribs were great though.

Will be mainly looking for advice on the best sources of charcoal, meat, and the like, though also looking forward to getting recipe ideas and tips.

If I had a goal, it would to create my own great burnt ends, a personal favourite when eating out.

Hope to see you around the forums.

Stewart

[JEC]

Hi Stewart welcome. Loads of information on here to help with questions you've never even thought off I love burnt ends it's a great goal to have making them at home. Good luck on your cooks look forward to seeing your set-up

[keith157]

Hi Stewart, don't worry if we were meant to get it right first time every time there would be no need for this forum

As for suppliers there are some great ones in Berkshire, search on here for meatpackers and there is also a great game dealers I thing it's vicars farms.

[MyLeakyBucket]

Thanks for the recommendations -- Meatpacks looks like it has a good selection and decent low postage being local.

Going for a low and slow cook of pork ribs this weekend, looking forward to getting some tips.

[Matsuya]

Stewart, if you're south east Berkshire I reckon Tilehurst village butchers is a great place. With a day's notice they can do meaty ribs and neck end shoulder and I've just picked up both. Will advise on the quality - price was £13 for 3kg of shoulder and £11 for a rack of spare ribs!

[MyLeakyBucket]

Many thanks. I'm Wokingham way so little bit of a drive to Tilehurst but do-able sometime I'm in Reading. Especially for c.£4 per kg for shoulder!

Part of the fun for me is finding brisket for a decent price. Haven't found it much lower than £9 per kg at the mo, so definitely only for treating myself.

[Matsuya]

I'm Wokingham as well, as it happens! It is a bit of a drive - need to see what the more local butcher is like but I'd heard good things about the TVB.

Also want to see what Vicar's is like in Reading.

[fitasc]

I'm in Yateley, not too far from Wokingham. The local butcher "Reeves" does whole brisket for £7.29 kilo.

I haven't asked him yet about ribs and shoulders, but they have a good reputation locally.

I need to get a few more cooks under my belt before trying a brisket, but looking forward to it.

Bob

[Verminskti]

I also agree Tilehurst village butchers. I get majority of my meat there.

[Verminskti]

Oh as for Vicars. Game yes owt else only in a pinch.