First time use of an Orion Cooker

In this video I use the Orion Cooker for the first time. There was not a lot of information regarding this cooker so I decided to do my own video. I hope this helps anyone looking to purchase this cooker.
I can say that the meat came out with perfect smoke flavor regardless of the ring. Though next time I will cook it longer to be more tender.
www.basspro.com/shop/en/orion...

[@MrLmm001]

Your kid was supposed to eat some and say GOOOOOODDDDD !!!! I saw one of these in the store and was just checking out some of the videos. I think I will get one.

[@airdefender1]

I had never heard of one of these cookers. Really interested in purchasing one and am watching so I can get some good ideas! This thing looks awesome!

[@madhattercig]

Hope the video helps! Thanks for watching.

[@ljc_outdoors9511]

thanks bud for the video!! Thank you also for clarifying about the charcoal. I just picked up one of these units. looking to do ribs and fish soon!!

[@madhattercig]

Your welcome! It's an awesome smoker!

[@keithkrey5996]

I've had an Orion for 5 years or so and here are some tips on smoking a Boston Butt. 1- cut it in two pieces and use two racks. 2- use the manual cooking times per weight. And I usually add 15-30 mins on whatever I'm cooking. 3- use a meat temp gauge to test the butt before you pull it from the smoker. I like my internal temp at 190 degrees which makes it fork tender for pulling. And, yes, keep adding the charcoal and keep it hot!

[@retrogamedoctor]

Great video! Thanks for posting. We're excited to use ours.

[@madhattercig]

Nick Abernathy No problem! I will be making a video soon of my new smoker with my same little helper!

[@retrogamedoctor]

I'll tell you what, we made some ribs in the Orion and it was unbelievably good. Super confident thanks to us watching someone like you already do it.

[@madhattercig]

Before I purchased mine there wasn't really any informative videos regarding this cooker. So I made my own just to help people like you! I will say it does best with ribs and chickens/turkeys. Big hunks of meat don't really do as well in it as it also steams the meat. Nice device for the money though. Thanks for watching!

[@holgerdanske3960]

Thanks for this video. My question is, do you take that amount of charcoal which is recommened in the manual? If this is too less, what is the amount you put on top of the next times??

[@madhattercig]

All I can really recommend is to fill both areas to the rim. It doesn't matter what your cooking. I can say that if you are planning on cooking with it then you need to have enough in it to make it worth the cost in charcoal. It will also keep your cooking times correct and you will have no need to add any further charcoal.

[@mikepotapa5773]

Have you done any more cooks with this unit? I was looking into purchasing one.

[@madhattercig]

Yes I have. I can say that the first time I used this I did not use enough charcoal to begin with. Since this video I have done a pork butt, 2 chickens and ribs. All have turned out beautiful and the flavor and juiciness was the best! It is well worth the money.

[@MrBucidart]

Madhattercig, Nice video on your first cook If you want to cook a long cook, load it full with match-lite charcoal, 18 lbs.I use mine mostly for ribs, yards birds and big birds, I love the "can".You will have the best Turkey dinner that you even had with the Orion..7 minutes per pound for the big bird, excellent.

[@wagstag89]

have you used yours for dove by any chance?

[@MrBucidart]

No I haven't. Do a test run with cherry chips and check at 6min/per pound. Also add some orange juice in the pan for some moisture.
Good luck..

[@superque4]

Has anyone else thought about DIYing one of these using a drum barrel? I wanna try something new for my 4th of July whole hog cook. I'm thinking a chicken wire wrap, after seasoning, will help keep it upright inside. Any thoughts?

[@madhattercig]

superque4 I would say that would be an awful big. But if you have the ability to make one I would say go for it!

[@brandonbaswell7118]

I use about one 16 lbs bag for a boston butt smoke

[@jeffburch5903]

MadHat, what was the internal temp of the shoulder after 4.5hrs? Thx.

[@madhattercig]

+Jeff Burch I do not remember from that long ago. I know I usually pull them at around 195-200 degrees.

[@insearchofthebest9070]

Brother you didn't use enough charcoal for the cook . I just did 2 butts a little over 10 lbs apiece so 20 lbs of Boston butt it took 5 & 1/2 hrs & a 20 lb bag of charcoal like you said add to it all along . man it will turn out great like mine Always do . you butts need to be close to 200 degrees to do what they call pulled pork at that temperature you can pull the bone out so easy by hand & the butts will just pull to pieces with your gloved hand no problems . another tip for you I find using the lump style charcoal especially on windy days like I saw your was helps alot plus burns longer & hotter 😊 God bless man I hope your next cook comes out more to your liking 👍 I love mine 😀 ❤️ we learn by doing right .

[@madhattercig]

Thanks for the info. As the video states it was the first time using it. I have since moved on and my dad has the unit in the video. It was a good cooker but I prefer a sidebox.

[@terrym2972]

In your opinion, could wood be used instead of charcoal in the bottom part of this cooker? Reason I ask is that I am close to a mill that has a free wood bin, and there's always a lot of 4 inch by 1 inch clean cedar pieces. Most likely end pieces from something they make a lot of. Thank you.

[@madhattercig]

+Terry M I am sure you can use wood. Though this may change cooking times.

[@douglasbailey4724]

Where can I get one like that.

[@madhattercig]

I purchased mine at Bass Pro.

[@JohnnyBeeDawg]

Does it have a way to measure internal temp of the meat? Is there any small opening for the wire of a temperature probe? I think its best to cook by internal temp, rather than time. Seems like if you took off the lid and had to keep going, it would screw up the cooking environment. Thanks!

[@madhattercig]

JohnnyBee Dawg I would agree that cooking by temp is the better route. This unit does serve a particular purpose though. If you don't like all the fuss of using a traditional smoker then this is right for that person. It's like the Ron Popeil of smokers. Set it and forget it.

[@brandonbaswell7118]

The manual on this cooker has a cook time chart if you get the weight it tells you and cook it the time it tells you it comes out fantastic everytime when you go outside the weights and cook times is when you have to do some math and some guessing until you get used to using it

[@mts982]

why no videos in 3 years?

[@A20FtPancake]

Did you deglaze that drip pan??

[@madhattercig]

There was nothing to deglaze. Still had about an inch of water/drippings in it at the end of the cook if I remember right.

[@timtutiul1737]

Link for smoker!!!,

[@madhattercig]

www.basspro.com/shop/en/orion-outdoor-convection-steam-cooker-100259388

[@doozerchuck8625]

Do you still use this cooker?

[@madhattercig]

I no longer have one of these.

[@mariansowinski8967]

Any reason you no longer have one?

[@madhattercig]

@@mariansowinski8967 I have a much bigger smoker now. I also tend to get different ones. I'm never set on one smoker.

[@doozerchuck8625]

@@mariansowinski8967 would like to know as well. Did you not enjoy this product? Thanks for you time!

[@mariansowinski8967]

@@doozerchuck8625 Mine is being shipped to me. Check back with me in a couple months.

[@xxkasperxx]

Nice vid ....but season your smokers first friends

[@timfear]

how. Book doesn't say anything about that.

[@xxkasperxx]

probably doesn't ...but experience does

[@jmjm4343]

is the smoke overwhelming

[@xxkasperxx]

@@jmjm4343 seems to me the coals should be lit and going well before you add the meat like most smokers