Greetings

[coyotedude]

Received Model 1 as a xmas gift.  Used twice so far, chicken wings (w/leathery skin) and thin pork chops (delicious).  Minor mistakes both times but definitely learning as I go.  Hardest thing right now is trying to decide on best thermometer.  Trying to stick to a budget and have narrowed to Thermoworks SMOKE or ThermoPro TP20.  Any thoughts?

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[Lonzinomaker]

I have the Smoke and like it a lot. 
Pros: Has good range, is accurate, reconnects automatically, alarm is very easy to reset, easy to read LCD, probes very durable and go on sale 2-3 times a year ( I bought some as reserves).
Cons: Expensive to get the network add on transmitter, limited to 2 probes, must silence alarm on receiver then go outside and silence the base.

[swthorpe]

Welcome from Delaware, Jim!  I have the SMOKE and it works great.   Cheers

[Hank R]

Welcome Jim from western Canada I also have a #1.

[barelfly]

Welcome! Great gift you received!

As for skin, happens with chicken. You could flash them on the gas grill, really hot, really quick. One thing I want to try soon is adding some baking powder prior to cooking and see if that helps.

For thermometer, I have a chef alarm from Thermo.  It works well, as I run multiple probes and just plug in as I go to check temps. Doesn’t offer WiFi or that stuff, but works nice and isn’t too expensive.

If you feel at some point you will upgrade, take a peak at the FireBoard. Someday I may end up with this, as I do some other smoking on my kettle that needs more babysitting.

Have fun on your journey!

[coyotedude]

Thanks for the welcomes, knew I was joining a "Family" atmosphere when I purchase the Smokein-it smoker.
Going to order Thermoworks Smoke unit today and might blow the budget on a Themapen MK4 also.     

[LarryD]

Welcome to the family, Jim!  Chicken/Turkey skin is going to be difficult.  After smoking bring it in and throw it in a hot (400+ deg) oven for 5-10 minutes to crisp it up.  With Turkey I just throw the skin away.

[MC1960]

Welcome from SE Louisiana, I like my TP20

[old sarge]

Welcome Jim from SE Arizona.