Food Smokers and Smoking Tips/Tricks/Techniques

@Misplaced Nebraskan you do jerky don’t ya?

 

I've only made it in the dehydrator.. and it was a PITA and not worth it for me to do again LOL

 

Trying to get my uncle off my back... he helped get the deer out of the woods and wants some jerky. I don’t have a dehydrator but I figured the pellet grill could do it..

 

Yea.. a lot of fellas on here have made it.. Hopefully they will chime in soon

 

If the pellet smoker goes down to 180° it can be done. Just get a high mountain seasoning kit and follow directions. On my electric it takes 4-6 hours

 

My smoker goes all the way down to 150*

 

if theres hotter areas then you have to rotate the strips around

 

Copy that!

 

It should work then just have to keep opening/checking it to let out the excess molsture or open the lid slightly. I had to open the electric smoker numerous times and rotate the racks

 

Too much smoke on jerky can make it taste funny depending on the marinade.

 

I haven't in many years. Salamis and snack sticks took over. I need to try again at some point though!

 

looking for recommendations on a new grill... i think i want to try pellet but not sure, have been looking at the Pit Boss.

 

I got rid of my gas grill after I got a pellet smoker. Never had a reason to use it and it just took up space.

 

there are lots to look at. I haven’t had an issue with my green mountain grill yet. I’m not dissing anyone else’s. Just saying mine hasn’t let me down yet.

 

My grill has a bout had it, but my smoker is still in great shape. Is the pellet grill/smoker really worth the jump over the charcoal/gas if you have a smoker already?

 

Only reason I still have a gasser is my wife doesn’t wanna use the pellet grill and sometimes will do burgers or steaks while I’m working so they are ready when I get home. ONLY REASON.

 

I have a weber kettle, drum smoker, and pellet smoker. I do long cooks on my drum and anything else on the kettle when I want to mess with coals. When I don't and just want convenience I go to the pellet. I have a 10 month old so the pellet gets lots of use. Anything you can do on a gas grill you should be able to do on a pellet smoker.

 

A disclaimer though....

I’m just now getting deeper in the smoking game. So all my info is very novice minded.

 

I have the pit boss tailgater b/c I got it new for $100. I wish it was a little larger but it has done fine with everything so far. When it craps out I will get another larger pellet smoker and maybe even a more expensive brand. But so far the pitboss had served me well and might be the best option for you to make sure you like it before you spend alot of money on one.

 

If you get a pellet pooper and learn to run it, you will wonder why you didn't get one sooner. And one with Wifi is even better, right @Misplaced Nebraskan ?