I got a smoker for Christmas now what? Need some tips!

This is a little embarrassing but I got a smoker for Christmas and havent even used it yet. I Can grill pretty good but really don't even know where to begin when it comes to smoking stuff need some help fellows!

What kind of smoker?

I only have an electric smoker at my apartment. I've done brisket, pork tenderloin, ribs, bacon, pork butt, and my favorite - beer can chicken. I'm doing another pork butt tomorrow for the family. What type of smoker? Some smokers come with little recipes inside the box. You really have a lot of choices to work with. Check out Hank Shaw's website for some good recipes for game food. Amazing Ribs has some excellent tips and recipes.

All you need to know... http://www.smokingmeatforums.com

???

Pics!

Get some pork ribs - season with GrubRub, smoke on smoker using Pecan-Wood for smoking.
Couple hours for flavor, then wrap with foil, couple/few more hours till tender. keep temp below 275. enjoy!

Backyard pro is the name brand

Awesome thanks for the link!

Should I use pecan wood for everything or just pork

IMO Pecan wood is good for pretty much everything. People are different, so may try to mix different woods with the Pecan if you don't like. Me personally, I like Pecan, Pecan/Hickory mix on pork and poultry. Sometimes will mix fruit woods if I have. With beef, I prefer mesquite. Whatever you cook with get your cooker figured out first. Make sure when you put your meat on you have a clear to light blue smoke coming out of the exhaust. If you are billowing white smoke then be careful because you are likely to over smoke your meat. The real flavor comes from the coals, not the billowing white smoking wood. That's my Also, season your smoker first. Google it.

If it's the gas one one side/smoker on the other... Gonna start with half a bag of charcoal then add chunks when it dies down. Gonna cook hot... At least 300 deg. Hard to get the small ones to go low.

skinner pretty much nailed it ... I use a lot of pecan for smoking but pretty much any fruit (peach, pear, cherry, apple, etc.) or nut (pecan, walnut (can be a bit harsh)) wood is good for smoking. I prefer live oak or mesquite for beef and will alternate with fruit/nut wood when smoking a variety of things.

Mesquite for beef

http://amazingribs.com/

you need to season the pit first (burn it out) but post a pic so we can get you the right help and suggestions............

Hickory.

Anyone have a pit barrel cooker?

yep its my favorite pit...only 30 years old!