Food Smokers and Smoking Tips/Tricks/Techniques

True....I found out about the Vortex from a buddy on a Sunday afternoon. Jumped online and ordered one.

Had a long workweek upcoming the next day and one of the things I was really looking forward to was grilling wings that next weekend.

Ordered some recommended wing rub along with the Vortex.



Made it through the workweek and had fun with the Vortex that next weekend. It was well worth it for me. I've used it in three different grills and on a number of cooks.

Is it a "must have" item ? No. Not really.

It does work well, though. Used small amount of charcoal and cooks a nice payload of wings with predictable results.

 

I did when I first started to make sure I could repeat something if it was good. Now that I have half a clue, I don’t bother anymore.

 

I figure if I can stick with it for a few different bags of pellets, or just a really really good weekend of multiple smokes and learn which pellets the smoker and I like the best, I'll be happy.
As much as I hate the damn place, I may swing by wally world and get some B&B pellets to try.

 

Pics please!

 

You do realize your pellet grill isn't going to be heavy on smoke??? The best way I found to ramp up the smoke is to cold smoke the night before (1 hour or so), put it in fridge overnight, then on pellet grill the next day.

 

I am intrigued on these pellet cookers. Why are they not producing heavy smoke. Thanks

 

I do know that. I will most likely be getting a tube smoker for some extra smoke. Have heard of running it for a couple hours at like 185-195* for some extra smoke, then ramp it up.

They are just really efficient at producing heat with little fuel. The little pellets just smolder and not really flame burn so there is not a lot of smoke generation. Especially at higher temps there is almost no smoke at all. A tube product like theses: http://www.amazenproducts.com/category_s/12.htm can add some good smoke addition. Or as @bigfoote13 said, cold smoke for a bit and then cook it up. That's where a lot of people don't care for the pellet poopers. You just can't replicate the smoke of a stick or charcoal burner. It is a more delicate smoke profile for sure.

 

Me suave! I use smoke daddy's for my rotisseries and propane heating.

 

Mine smokes like a mofo, maybe it's broken? I'll post up a pic next time I use it.

 

I have ona dese: https://smokedaddyinc.com/product/12-bbqube-tube-smoker/
$15 delivered
Need more smoke? Light both ends.

 

Lord, you got room for cord wood with all them pallets of charcoal stacked around. LOL!!

 

I keep it on hand too. Like to rotate my mesquite out quickly before them bugs eat it up.

 

@Misplaced Nebraskan You playing with your cooker?

 

Why? Will I go blind?!

Few hours away WOund up golfing yesterday afternoon so gonna burn off and do steaks tonight. counting down now

 

Pretty sure we went to the same school together, although I was the last class that couldn't use a calculator. Push came to shove could still sling the C1 and C3 scale on a slide rule if I had to. But would need 3X reading glasses at this stage of my life to see the damn thing. That school stays with you for life and anything you build or touch will have repeatability, high availability and disaster recover built in. And maybe a bit more complex than most others but by gawd it will work so says Uncle Hymie, without fail.

The Vortex is not sold on Amazon, it is only sold in 5 different locations. But yes if your going to buy a cheap POS Chinese knockoff on Amazon might as well dork around with cutting up a SS mixing bowl or dog food bowl.

 

Don't be acting like a little spider monkey, if so stay up wind of the smoke.

 

So my BBQ is tomorrow, the list of people has grown to 32 (were thinking we'd get 15-20) and it's supposed to be a high of 100f. Put the shade cloth up to help with the heat. I had to go to Home Depot last night to get another table. We don't have 32 chairs, so people will be sitting on benches. I upped my food to 6 racks of ribs, 3 large tri-tips and 2 buckets of chicken. Beans, coleslaw, cornbread and other sides. I think that will be enough... I'm tired thinking about it!

 

Made me laugh out loud!

 

When you get old like me, you will realize that 90% of those people you are feeding aren't worth the effort and headache. And, they will never invite you to eat their food. I have 2 friends I can count on to help me any way I need, day or dark thirty. The rest are just... acquaintances

 

Yup. That school and training will forever warp an individual But I think most of us were a little off to start with