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New to smoking needs help.

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Post  SUEDUNN Sun Oct 19, 2008 4:39 pm

hi we are new to smoking and would like help in how to set the smoker up.We have an amigo. Also help in were to put the water and food every thing really we dont know what we are doing but would love to learn .Please can someone help. Mybe recommend a book an idiots guide to smoking thanks Sue Dunn

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Post  Junk Yard Dog Sun Oct 19, 2008 4:56 pm

Hi Sue. Welcome !

I am new to this kind of smoking too. You might want to read the thread I started after my first smoke. I was doing everything wrong, but the folks here straightened me out.

https://proq.forumotion.com/new-to-smoking-bbq-help-f19/first-smoke-a-train-wreck-t452.htm
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Post  Mack Sun Oct 19, 2008 5:05 pm

Hi Sue, if you give me 10 minutes, I'll do a post explaining the set up of your particular model.

Ian
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Post  Dr_KY Sun Oct 19, 2008 5:24 pm

Welcome Sue.
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Post  Mack Sun Oct 19, 2008 5:26 pm

Hi and welcome Sue, I'll try and explain it as best as I can...
Sorry the image got a bit distorted. Embarassed
New to smoking needs help. AmigoDiagram

01 – Handle
02 – Gauge
03 – Lid
04 – Toggle Latch (upper)
05 – Charcoal Separator
06 – Charcoal Grate
07 – Cooking Grill
08 – Toggle Latch (lower)
09 – Chamber
10 – Door Hinge
11 - Door
12 – Water and Charcoal Pans
13 – Grill/ Pan Brackets
14 – Base Unit
15 – Legs

First thing you have is the base unit (the chamber that has the 3 legs attached to it) number 14.
The charcoal bowl (there are 2 bowls with this model) sits on top of the legs and has a small grill/ grate that sits in the bottom of the bowl (06).

There are 3 "U" shaped brackets (13) towards the top lip of the base chamber, the water bowl sits on the lower, longer part of this bracket and the 1st cooking grill will sit just above this on the upper/ shorter part of the same bracket.

The next chamber just holds the other cooking grill and the lid goes on top of this.

You may be wondering what the 2 strange shaped wire pieces (05) are, these are charcoal seperators and are used should you wish to cook/roast food using an "indirect" method.

The only real disadvantage the Amigo has, compared to the other models is that, as there are no vents on the base unit, you have no control over the temperature, but the water pan should keep it running at around 110*C.

Basic set up and use instructions...

Light your charcoal/ briquettes in the bottom bowl (remember to have the small grate in place, as this will allow the air to circulate around the charcoal) and wait for a layer of grey ash to appear on the suface of the charcoal/ briquettes.

Fill the water bowl, about 1/2 way, with hot water and place it onto the brackets, so that it sits just above the charcoal bowl.

Place your food on to the grills and pop the lid on *IMPORTANT* The vent in the lid should be kept wide open during cooking. I would try cooking a whole chicken to start with and this will take around 3 - 3 1/2 hours.

Wood chips/ chunks are added on top of the charcoal through the bottom door, start off with just a few chips, as it is quite easy to over smoke stuff, if it's not smokey enough adjust it by adding more wood the next time you cook something.

Hope this helps, but if not, I'll be happy to talk you through the process on the phone.

Ian
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Post  SUEDUNN Sun Oct 19, 2008 5:29 pm

Thanks thats seems really usefu and Im sure we wil get it right. Fingers crossed.

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Post  ILBBQS.com Mon Oct 20, 2008 8:48 pm

Sue,

Welcome to the group! I think I can speak for all of us when I say we look forward to learning with you...and seeing pictures! Smile
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Post  jenks_24 Wed Oct 22, 2008 8:05 pm

Welcome Sue,

What inspired you to try this method of cooking? I'm always curious about the first time! Laughing
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Post  smokinxray Wed Oct 22, 2008 8:07 pm

welcome sue...enjoy all the fantastic food ull be eating!!!
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Post  Martinwhynot Thu Jan 08, 2009 8:54 pm

Hi Everyone,

I bought my first smoker (Amigo) at a country fair last autumn. I've only tried using it once - mainly as my first attempt wasn't a massive success! I dunno if it was normal, but the instructions I received were a bit basic as left a few unanswered questions for me - didn't stop me having a go, however!

Anyway, I've just checked out the video on You Tube and they were massively helpful (a picture paints a thousand words!) and the above post by Mack is great too)

On my attempt I left the vent at the top closed thinking it would keep the heat it (doh! Embarassed ) and had charcoal topup issues due to the water pan blocking access to top up the charcoals. What does everyone else do with their Amigo on this issue?

Fantastic site, by the way - infact it's smokin' (sorry!)

Regards to all

Martin Very Happy


Last edited by Martinwhynot on Thu Jan 08, 2009 9:16 pm; edited 1 time in total (Reason for editing : wanted to be notified of any replies...)

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Post  Adam Thu Jan 08, 2009 9:35 pm

I've got an Amigo and have found a few things which might help you.

1. use briquettes not lump.

2. Light all your coals at the start, level them down and assemble the smoker. Don't overfill with coals, use a couple of layers but make sure there is a little space between the coals and the water pan otherwise not enough oxygen will get in and it will choke.

3. Leave a small area of the grate by the door clear so that air can get down underneath the burning coals too.

By doing this I am getting temperatures of around 220 for up to 5 hours if I am lucky. Even so I'm looking to upgrade as I'd like to play with some of the really long cook times without having to refuel over and over again.

That said if anyone else knows how to get better performance out of an Amigo i'd be delighted to hear about it.

Oh and adding wood chips is a bit of a bitch, i'm tossing a load of pre-soaked ones on as I assemble, then afterwards using small foil packs and passing them in using a long metal spoon.

I'm new to smoking too so dont take this as Gospel but i've done maybe 20 cooks in my Amigo now and I am getting some pretty good results.

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Post  Martinwhynot Thu Jan 08, 2009 10:06 pm

Adam

Many thanks for those encouraging words, mate. I'll take your advice onboard - for now if I can get some chicken and some ribs happening, I'll be quite happy.

Suppose I'll be trying again at the weekend!!!!!!!!!!!

Many thanks,,,,

Martin

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Post  Treegje Fri Jan 09, 2009 5:33 am

Hi and welcome Sue, great to have you on the forum. Very Happy
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Post  Martinwhynot Fri Jan 09, 2009 8:26 pm

Sorry, Sue - WELCOME!!! Hope you don't feel I hijacked your post - just read it and got carried away!

Martin

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