Quick Start Guide
Before You Cook
- Check your time - Pick from cook times below
- Check your meat - Fresh or thawed
- Check pellets - Oak loaded
By Time Available
30 Minutes or Less
Just seasoning and prep - Vacuum seal tomorrow's meat with dry rub - Prep vegetables for grilling
1 Hour
- Vegetables only - Brussels sprouts, zucchini, onions
1.5 Hours
- Flat iron steak - 45 min smoke + sear
- Pork medallions - 45 min total
2-3 Hours
- Hanger steak - Reverse sear method
- Chicken breasts - Safe and simple
4-6 Hours
- Brisket flat - Low and slow
- Chuck eye steaks - Treat like ribeye
- Honey ham - From fresh ham
All Day (8+ Hours)
- Multiple proteins - Batch cook for the week
- Experiment day - Try something from Tier 3
Quick Decision Tree
Feeling confident? → Tier 1 recipes (your favorites) Want to fix a bad memory? → Tier 2 recipes Feeling adventurous? → Tier 3 recipes Just need food? → Flat iron or pork medallions
Essential Prep
Always Have Ready
- Salt & pepper (coarse)
- Garlic powder
- Meat thermometer
- Backup plan (frozen pizza)
Test Protocol for New Recipes
- Cook ONE piece first
- If good, proceed with rest
- If not, adjust and document