New 008 Owner

Congratulations and welcome.. The 008 was my first. Then I bought an Amerique. I love the 008 enough that I still use it FAR more than the AQ.

Have you read the Ribs 101? Lots of good info there. SmokenOkie has a vinegar combo that is good.. but I like the Kansas City style BBQ the best.

Nothing wrong with mopping. Dont' think you need it because the 008 cooks so moist.. but, you can do it.. maybe strain it and spritz with a kitchen sprayer. Downside of mopping/spritzing is that every time you open the box it takes about 30 minutes to recover the temp... so, each time you open the box you add that much time to your overall cook. If you plan for that.. and you like the vinegar mop.. you won't be disappointed.

KEEP GOOD RECORDS of everything you do from cook to cook.. and good smokin

Congrats and good luck! You will love the Cookshack. Practice, practice, practice!

As suggested above,there are vinegar sauces to use at the table.

If you tend to flip/check your slabs ,after a set number of hours,this could be a time to spritz them.

Also,as mentioned above,be sure your rub is already set,as you will be wetting an already very moist product.

You can still mop, if the other methods suggested don't work for you, just keep in mind that if you open the door, you'll extend the cooking time. Just start earlier, mop as you did and see how that goes.

Smokenque,
I'm intrigued by your comment regarding using your 008 more than your AQ. Why is that? Is it because you know the 008 better than the AQ? Is it because the quantity of food you smoke is better suited to the 008? I've read where a full smaller unit is more temperature consistent than a partially filled larger unit?
The reason I ask is that I keep going back and forth in my mind about these exact two units.
Thanks for takin' the time
Mike

I love my AmeriQue, and it keeps great temps if there is one item or fully loaded. I like the larger racks, the probe feature, and you don't have to cut your racks of ribs in half!!

quote:

Originally posted by E.Michael:
Smokenque,
I'm intrigued by your comment regarding using your 008 more than your AQ. Why is that? Is it because you know the 008 better than the AQ? Is it because the quantity of food you smoke is better suited to the 008? I've read where a full smaller unit is more temperature consistent than a partially filled larger unit?
The reason I ask is that I keep going back and forth in my mind about these exact two units.
Thanks for takin' the time
Mike

Nope, Love'em both. My first was the 008. It's a great size for the family and up to about 10 guests.. IMO.

I'm a Cabela's card holder.. and I had enough points to get an AQ for free.. and I did. It sits on the back porch.. mostly unused unless I'm cooking a couple of turkeys or a bunch of TriTips.

Heck, now I have more than enough points to get another AQ.. I have too many clothes and don't need any more fishing tackle. Maybe I should go into the smoker business.. get'em for free and sell them. What a concept.

Actually, I'm thinking of getting the 009.. to match the AQ.. then sell the 008