Just Ordered The Frontier :)

Hello all I've been cooking on my Webber 57cm Kettle since a kid mostly burgers etc but the occasional chicken or leg of lamb that was till i saw a clip on TV about low and slow cooking. Now i'm addicted just ordered my first bullet smoker arrives monday i cant wait. Planning on doing a nice big bit of belly pork and a couple chickens for my first run. Have you got any tips for a complete novice? Such as amount of coal generally used to start, Also i am a little bit confused on the digital thermometers should i get one how many? and what do i do with them, do i use them to moniter the temp of the stackers? And do you have a make that you would recommend? I cant wait till monday when my goodies arrive. Any Tips or Books you could recommend would be great thank you.

Hi Yarmes, welcome to the forum.
Your Frontier will come with basic recipes to get you started. Don't worry about amounts of charcoal, just fill the basket (about 3 Kgs worth) and let her run. I would recommend a mix of 50/50 lumpwood/ briquettes.
Thermometers are essential, either a hand held intstant - look for a Thermapen or Maverick DT-12.
Most people end up with Remote thermometers, The Maverick range have 2 probes (1 goes in the food and the other monitors the temps in the smoker). Look for a Maverick ET-73, or ET -732.
There are loads of books out there, mostly American authors, I would start with somthing like Mastering Barbecue, by Michael Stines http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mastering-Barbecue-Techniques-Indispensible-Know-How/dp/1580086624/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1313228455&sr=8-1
Once you have the hang of it some of my favorite books are...
Smokin' with Myron Mixon - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Smokin-Myron-Mixon-Winningest-Barbecue/dp/0345528530/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1313228919&sr=1-1
Big Bob Gibson's BBQ Book - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Big-Bob-Gibsons-BBQ-Book/dp/0307408116/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1313228956&sr=1-1
I am also a fan of Steven Raichlen.

Hope this helps!

Thank You Mack. Like i said i cant wait till monday im trying to smoke some ribs at the minute on my weber but strugling to keep the temp down below 240. I guess i'll just wrap them a little earlier than planned and hope for the best. I used a my own rub of brown sugar and herbs had to stay away from anything spicy as the mother inlaw is staying but she already been converted and wants the Turkey smoked at xmas. lol thanks again

Woo Hoo finally arrived a day late but nevermind. Going to smoke a chicken i think to start with.
Very Impressed with my new addition thanks