Food Smokers and Smoking Tips/Tricks/Techniques

I think you're right!

Frankly, the weirdest part was not having a lid and letting them just sit in the heat for a bit.

 

Getting a nice bark layer and some nice color.

I'm gonna cut it in 2 and make 1/2 BBQ pulled pork and 1/2 hatch green chili pork

 

I made a lid outta some hd foil lol

 

I found Nemo

 

If anyone is looking for a decent cover for their vertical/bullet/weber smokers, found this at Walmart for $8. Material is really thick. Looks like it will last a few seasons at least. For $8, it’s worth a shot. Fit my 26” weber easily

 

Just put some pecan smoked water (sounds weird to say that) in some ice trays. The bowl of smoked water was really strong, but I tasted a little and it was actually quite mild. I'll put a cube in a splash of cheap bourbon to get a feel for the effect. If it's any good, I'll get another couple of trays going for Thanksgiving!

 

St. Louis ribs and some locally made brats are on the smoker! Hopefully the rain doesn’t decide to come down too hard today because I don’t have much of a backup plan.

 

Wife brought home some pork chops that were on sale. Not the best cut, and they were thin. I rubbed them up for a reverse sear. They turned out well, great flavor and juicy. I kept one off the smoke for the boy. Made some beans and a wild rice mix to go with them.

 

Getting ready to barbecue up some Trader Joe’s chicken

 

Cute coop. We have 3 hens, keeps the 2 of us not wanting for eggs.

 

Chicken boobie quarters, leg quarters, and bacon-wrapped red potatoes.

I'm trying something new... No water pan at all. I have a couple of foil wrapped pans on the bottom rack. I usually just wrap the water pan in foil without water in it in addition to the 2 pans on the bottom rack.

 

Bacon wrapped potatoes? Must try that soon.

 

Yeah I've never done it. It seemed like a good idea. Just red potatoes cut into quarters with bacon wrapped around them.

 

Got a 12lb turkey on the Traeger right now as a test run for Thankgiving. 24 hour brine bath in Lanes Signature Brine, rubbed down with Wassi's limited edition Turkey rub and a heavy coating of butter.

No pics but so far looks awesome! 2 hours at 225 and Super Smoke on, cranked to 350 to finish. Using the Traeger Turkey blend.

 

Tease...

 

My wife and I just finished them. You know how it is when you’re too hungry to take pics right?!

 

Thanksgiving fast approaching!! What are y’all planning??


Also, what’s defrost time for a 10-12lb bird?? Plus 1 day brine time...

Brine recipes??

Just the wife and I this year, our first Thanksgiving in Texas. I told her I’m still doing it big! Bird, all the trimmings, ham, pie....haha!

 

Turned out perfect. I may never stick the water pan in again for short cooks like chicken and ribs. Probably will keep it in for long fatty cooks like Boston butt.

 

Bacon wrapped anything is good I bet those taters turn out pretty darn good too.

I am heading in the direction of dropping the water pan and moving away from indirect heat too. Hopefully pics to follow later this week.

In the meantime my son decided he wanted to go low carb with me. Would like to see him get healthy and move out on his own again in the meantime might as well start with Prime Ribeye.