I'm new to smoking meat with only one pork butt under my belt. I want to move to some other cuts of meat, but most of the books I've seen just provide recipes. I need something an idiot can follow.

Any ideas?

hi bbq_newbie,

Welcome to the forum. 1st things 1st. Go to the top of the page and read over Smokin'Oakie Barbecue Guide. The 101's listed there will get you off and rolling on butts, ribs, briskets, and turkey! Its a beginers life saver

You're correct, most of the books have recipes, not information on "how" to BBQ. And you have to adjust whatever they say to whatever smoker you have. And trust me, a LOT of the recipes in those books are made up and the times/temps/flavors are worth the paper they're printed on.

Being bold, let me say you'll get more useful information here by asking, than books with recipes.

I would just research the site, do some searches or look in the item specific archives for good information.

Then just read through and post when you see a subject you want to discuss.

Smokin said " Being bold, let me say you'll get more useful information here by asking, than books with recipes. "

Bold and truthful!!! To say this forum has helped me a bunch is an understatement. Once you kinda get the hang of it, it's great to be able to give back to those newbies asking for help. Read, read and read some more. I love reading through the archeives. Soooo much information here and soooo many good people willing to help! Love it!!!

yep this is the place to be!!!!!
good info
good people
look at smokin's guides they have me a lot and continue to give me insights when i am just thinking about trying a new idea.
about the only book i could truly recommend is "paul kirk's championship barbecue" he is an american culinary federation certified chef and his book goes into some fairly detailed explainations on woods and how to build rubs and sauces from scratch.
one other book i can highly recommend, but it is not about smoking, is "on food and cooking" by macgee. it is without a doubt the driest reading book (all 500 pages of it) but it really explores why food cooks the way it does and really gets into things like physics and chemistry.
hope it helps you some
just remember
keep good notes
and for crying out loud have fun!!!!!!
jack

I'm a dummy. Learned just about everything I know by reading this forum.

I attempt to document my efforts with the Smokette (too busy playing golf, lately, sorry) on my site. Lot's of pictures.

It's free.

http://www.lamaine.com/bbq/

For books, I've loved using the Smoke and Spice book. But for general knowledge, this site, and www.virtualweberbullet.com will provide about everything you need.

Good luck. Don't be afraid to experiment.

You just can't do any better that reading through this site. Be sure to read "Lessons for new users" at the top of this forum after you've read the 101s.
When you are ready do some searches on your choice of food...YOU WILL BE AMAZED at the content available here. And its all great.