Food Smokers and Smoking Tips/Tricks/Techniques

It's like cheating.

 

Naw.. work smarter not harder!

 

if you’re ain’t cheating you ain’t trying.

 

If by cheating you mean awesome food then yes.

 

You love pellets, even after your first encounter with water.

 

I put about a chimney worth of unlit lump in my box and then fire up another chimney of lump. When that's hot and ready I pour it over the unlit. Gets me a few hours worth of heat.

 

So, I've been away for a bit, working on other things. Haven't smoked much lately, but that is going to change.

Had a parking lot accident- I was looking for a spot at 10mph, and an F150 decided not to look and backed right into me, totaling my truck. Paid the salvage value and got paid, working on getting the truck back to right now.

I am about 500 pages behind on this thread. Don't see me catching up.

 

Long as you're all good, Phillip. Just need time to set things right. Glad you're OK.

 

Thank you, sir. I am definitely good.

Paid $2000 for this truck 14 months ago.
Drove the hell out of it, it's become my DD.
Had this accident, and they totalled it on me (6000+ of damages on a $8500 truck means it is totaled around here).
I retained it (salvage title now, don't care), and still got a check for $5300.
Bought a new hood, fender, radiator header, LF body mount, and inner fender apron for all around $1000.
No frame damage, and no stock bumper is going on this thing.
REALLY trying to talk myself out of diving into a SAS. I know I can pull it off in my driveway, I've done it before. Thinking about going ahead and buying the SlagFactory spring hanger to weld in place while I'm at this and have the radiator out... fab a new structural crossmember in place of the sheetmetal affair that's in the way right now, and weld it all up.

Hmm, that did it. Off I go, got a spring hanger to order.

I will build a DIY plate front bumper, using plans from flatland4x4.com (here: https://flatland4x4.com/product/95-04-toyota-tacoma-front-winch-bumper/) Which isn't quite what I wanted, but is darn close.

 

I think you guys took what I said the wrong way. I love my pooper, doubtful I’ll ever go back to any other type of smoker.

 

First cook on the new grill/smoker. Nothing fancy, just getting my feet wet with some shrimps in oil and butter, with a little Creole seasoning.



Something to munch on while waiting for these guys to cook. Didn't expect it to get quite so hot on the edge near the firebox, so got a little char on one burger. I'll know better next time, but still tasty.



Sausages are coming off next. Should be ready when the boys get home from school.

 

FTMFW

 

Burgers are meant to be charred, and just barely done in the middle.

 

My pellet popper uses logs also. They just used a huge press to squish me down.

 

So.. y'all know I like to experiment so why not try something new today?

I am a fan of Garlic Chili Sauce in other things so why wouldn't it be good on some chicken wings?



Rather than just have a spicy mess on my face and fingers I chose a different path and utilized my dehydrator and around 8 hours at 135 degrees to dry it out.



When it's dry enough it basically flakes out of the tray. Don't take deep breath or wipe or touch your face!



A quick trip through a spice grinder and a nice garlic chili sauce becomes a nicer garlic chili powder!



Since we're experimenting.. why stop at 1 thing? Why not coat chicken wings with this powder and test out the air fryer?


Okay.. the powder did carmelize under the air fryer but the flavor and the heat was still there. The wings were crispy and delicious though not nearly as spicy as I thought.

Definitely worth trying... I will probably try the powder on some fries or tots or eggs after their cooked. Could also be a nice part of a rub for a pork anything going on the smoker.

 

Shashlik

 

Oh man looks good.......back in the caveman days I told my wife "we need to find some of those 'flat skewers'". What vinegar and what spices?