quote:

Originally posted by Russ Hazzon:
I think the BRITU recipe is the perfect first cook. It's not a difficult recipe to follow and the results are seen within a reasonable amount of time. Butts are a more forgiving choice of meat, but the length of time required to cook the meat is just too long for a first-timer. They're looking for instant gratification from their new smoker. BRITU is most definately the answer to that.

I agree with Russ for all the same reasons. The first overnighter I did was way more complicated (4 butts) and a lot more work. Follow the BRITU and you can't miss!

My first Bullet ribs came out pretty good. BRITU has served me well. But this year my mission is to (successfully) remove the membrane from the bottom of the babybacks. The last couple of smokes I just gave up. I actually took more skin off me than I did membrane off the ribs! However this is a new season and anything is possible.

I say end-cut Pork Chops.

My 3rd smoke I was following the "Basic Barbecued Chicken" method/recipe from this site and after the chicken was done, I threw on a full top rack of chops.
With a dry pan, steady 325 deg, and some hickory wood still making a sweet aroma after 1.5 hours, those chops came out perfect.
I flipped the chops once and cooked for 40 min.
Especially if someone is used to cooking chops on a grill, it is much easier to figure out done-ness jut by inspecting the meat and the result is delicious.
That's gotta be the shortest easiest path to a delicious, cheap, successful first try.

My first easy cook was Chris's meatloaf,
then some pork steaks and a few beef hot links.
(FIRE!)
Tim

I see I'm in the minority. I picked pork ribs, since those are one of the easy meats to get great results from, most folks just love them.

I did a chicken as the first cook, didn't cook it nearly enough for my taste, followed it up on the same coals with a brisket, came out excellent...however, it takes a lot longer than ribs, which are an easy cook for me, and one of the favorites of my family. My wife requests ribs more than any other meat in the WSM.

baby backs is a good 1st cook.
we did a brisket for our first try.