Food Smokers and Smoking Tips/Tricks/Techniques

So I recently picked myself up a very nice electric masterbuilt smoker with digital temp control. Never smoked anything in my life. Here is my first experience.

Here she is


So I first decided to try a couple of chickens, they turned out amazing

All Seasoned up


In the smoker


Finally done!


I ate it for dinner with a nice salad and some homemade mashed taters. First time doing that as well.


After my awesome chicken experience, I decided to try out one of those fatties I kept hearing about. The pizza style one sounded good.

Here it is all rolled up. Not quite pulled together tight yet.


Hear it is afterwards, had to eat a slice already.....


This thing was awesome! The only thing I will change next time I do it is the bacon. Need thicker cut, better quality bacon. Oh, and I'm making more than one.



And the last thing I did that turned out amazing was some pork.

I forgot to take a before shot.


Here it is all done! I had to leabe earlier so I wasn't the one who took it out. They took it out about 20 degrees too early I made them throw it in the oven and it still didn't pull quite right. It was still amazing.



I did some small chunks of duck and they turned out like crap. I am gonna throw in some beef to marinate for jerky making tomorrow! I'm hoping this will turn out great. Also have three racks of ribs in the freezer

 

Threw a 6lb butt on the smoker yesterday for about 4 hours and then finished it in the oven till it hit 195. Let it rest for 1:45 and then pulled. Turned out pretty good. I served it with some Carolina style sauce.

 

Had my first comp team practice this weekend. It went pretty well, but we have a lot to work on. The thighs were out of sight though, the ribs were pretty good too.







Did the old spares vs baby backs experiment again...the baby backs keep winning in my house.

 

^^ man that is looking good

 

X2

 

Last night I took some of my pulled pork from this weekend and put it in some smaller flour tortillas with mango salsa and sour cream. Served it with some fiesta rice and refried beens. Super nom.

I've been looking for more way to utlize the pork in the following days after smoking it besides just throwing it on a bun. Any other suggested leftover methods?

 

What are the thighs sitting in??

 

Margarine it keeps them moist. Some call it a butter bath. I take them out after 30-40 minutes and put them on the grate to finish.

 

BDDFC, your stuff is looking awesome. Keep up the good work!

 

Wifey got me a cool gift for my birthday. On March 2nd I'm taking Harry Soo's (Slap Yo Daddy BBQ) cooking class at his house in Diamond Bar. I'll report back with some pics and tips!

 

Thanks man, don't worry I'll be getting after it as the weather warms up here.

That's awesome, Harry's doing a class around here in the spring, but I think it's full already. I'll have to catch it next time around.

 

Another tex-mex-y idea I use is topping nachos with pulled pork. I have also made grilled dogs topped with pulled pork, and used it in an arroz con pollo dish I make, in place of smoked sausage. I've had good luck freezing large chunks of it too (not pulled)

 

Great ideas! I love hotdogs, putting pulled pork on top of them would just make them better

 

best guess how many people would 6 racks of St Louis style ribs feed?

 

6 racks, guessing 3lbs a rack. well, i know i could eat a full rack if really hungry, probably a half rack w/ sides. so i would say 10-12...6 if you have some hungry dudes!

 

Great Thanks Yosh! Having a BBQ on sunday and trying to get an idea on food.



I don't know anything about smoking meats but my only tip I have for this thread is make friends with someone that owns a restaurant. Few weeks back my buddy bought us Veal Prime Rib at $2.50 a Lb Best Prime Rib I have ever eaten

 

I always figure it like this. 12 bones per rack. 3 bones per person if there's another meat and sides. 4 bones if no other meat. So that's 24 peeps with another meat and sides. 18 or less with no other meat. A bunch of hungry dudes could eat 1/2 rack each though. What kind of crowd? Women and kids eat much less.

 

young Men and women no kids. I think with will have burgers just in case. Just a casual hang out with some friends. I invited like 12 people.

 

With 12 people and a couple sides or snacks you'll be way good I would say. Back up burgers are always good in case the party goes late. Round two is only a couple of few beers away. :thumbup:

 

Fuck, Im officially hungry.