Food Smokers and Smoking Tips/Tricks/Techniques

fiftyxp · May 25, 2020

TheCochese said: ↑

OK, so might as well ask here since I thought I saw a grilling thread but can't find it.

Might be looking to get into charcoal/smoking. Have a gas grill that is plenty big enough and enjoy using, but I'd also like to smoke some things, mess around with coals, maybe even pit fire some small pottery my daughter wants to do on a wheel we are going to get her. Some of it is I'd like to learn the craft, I was never that great at getting a good temperature and getting things to cook properly before. I assume I was just impatient.

I'm between the Weber Original Premium and the Akorn 20". The Akorn is roughly double the price, but I would probably make that up in saved charcoal costs within a year or two. The reviews are all over the place for the Akorn (particularly for longevity) and the Weber generally gets rave reviews. Part of me says Akorn because it can hold temperature better for long cooks, part of me says Weber because I don't know how committed I will be to using it with a gas grill right next to it and the ease of use it brings.

If it makes any difference we aren't really a cook outside and eat outside and do things outside family because our backyard sucks and is filled with mosquitoes. I am trying to fix the setting, but we aren't there yet.
Click to expand...

you can use a chargriller with smoker attachment and do quite a bit with it.

I used it for a few years and didnt really have any problems, plus the forums theres tons of little inexpensive mods (if you know how to weld etc) you can do to it to get the most out of it.

Large · May 25, 2020

Cold Iron said: ↑

One of the first things I got for my WSM (18") was an Automatic Temperature Controller (ATC). Basically it gives it the ease of use as a pellet pooper. Rock steady temps and you don't have to baby sit it but can cook with your choice of fuel and wood smoke. Mainly did it because of below temps, last thing wanted to do was keep going outside to adjust it when it is bone breaking cold.

I built a box to house the unit to protect it from the elements and used a sump pump hose for air supply.

Did I mention it is rock steady without touching anything except a computer or phone screen from inside?

The 2 most common adapoters they sell are for WSM and Ceramic cookers. Good friend of mine has one on his BGE.

Today if in the market I would take a hard look at the Thermoworks billows. Thermoworks just came out with the Smoke X and Billows X but no reviews yet. Have a lot invested in Thermoworks equipment including the Wand forehead thermometer that just came out. More than pleased with everything Thermoworks makes.

Before this COVID hit I was looking hard at upgrading my old Motorola phone to a Samsung S10. Been limping along with the Moto Mod battery pack for a few years now the internal battery died a long time ago. Like all electronics the longer you wait the more options you have. Although development has slowed down somewhat with the virus hitting even that area. Camera is one of the most important features I am looking at.

Exactly! Just don't use the Food Saver brand bags.

Moved to Mn. from NC where I was stationed\lived from the vinegar based sauces on the coast to the tomato based sweet sauces of Western NC. And of course the mustard based sauces in SC. I like both Sweet Baby Rays and Stubbs.

But started Atkins doing 20 gr. of carbs daily max at the end of January. So no sugar of any type for me. Or beans. Or mac n cheese. Or bread or potatoes. and my A1c has dropped from 7.2 to 5.8 without any medication just good old fashioned meat, eggs, cheese and salads with blue cheese dressing. And bacon, lots of bacon. Been using G Hughes sugar free BBQ sauce and is actually pretty decent. They even make a mustard sauce version.

Bad storms coming through right now and rest of the day. Off work on furlough this week finally able to catch my breath from work, will be much smoking and cooking going on this week. Clubs are finally starting to throw birds and 3 days this week will be out shooting clays. Staying in place is not helping my finances, should have this new 20 ga. SxS in time for my Thursday shoot.

I'm a sucker for nice wood Should be saving money instead of spending it with all this furlough time without pay coming up. But as Ron White said I didn't have the ability...

My 5.5 year old male Toller sister came to live with us as of yesterday. Going to be interesting and a lot of work. She has never heard a gunshot or tasted feathers in her mouth. Yesterday the city girl seen her first deer about 15 yards away in the backyard and went bat shit crazy.

Going to be a lot of work but I'm sure I can fit in a smoke or 2 this week. Maybe even 3. Also need to get the chainsaw out and finish cutting up that downed oak in the backyard now that the snow is gone.
Click to expand...

God damn some excellent smoke engineering going on there

GarlicFarts · May 25, 2020

Cold Iron said: ↑

One of the first things I got for my WSM (18") was an Automatic Temperature Controller (ATC). Basically it gives it the ease of use as a pellet pooper. Rock steady temps and you don't have to baby sit it but can cook with your choice of fuel and wood smoke. Mainly did it because of below temps, last thing wanted to do was keep going outside to adjust it when it is bone breaking cold.

I built a box to house the unit to protect it from the elements and used a sump pump hose for air supply.

Did I mention it is rock steady without touching anything except a computer or phone screen from inside?

The 2 most common adapoters they sell are for WSM and Ceramic cookers. Good friend of mine has one on his BGE.

Today if in the market I would take a hard look at the Thermoworks billows. Thermoworks just came out with the Smoke X and Billows X but no reviews yet. Have a lot invested in Thermoworks equipment including the Wand forehead thermometer that just came out. More than pleased with everything Thermoworks makes.

Before this COVID hit I was looking hard at upgrading my old Motorola phone to a Samsung S10. Been limping along with the Moto Mod battery pack for a few years now the internal battery died a long time ago. Like all electronics the longer you wait the more options you have. Although development has slowed down somewhat with the virus hitting even that area. Camera is one of the most important features I am looking at.

Exactly! Just don't use the Food Saver brand bags.

Moved to Mn. from NC where I was stationed\lived from the vinegar based sauces on the coast to the tomato based sweet sauces of Western NC. And of course the mustard based sauces in SC. I like both Sweet Baby Rays and Stubbs.

But started Atkins doing 20 gr. of carbs daily max at the end of January. So no sugar of any type for me. Or beans. Or mac n cheese. Or bread or potatoes. and my A1c has dropped from 7.2 to 5.8 without any medication just good old fashioned meat, eggs, cheese and salads with blue cheese dressing. And bacon, lots of bacon. Been using G Hughes sugar free BBQ sauce and is actually pretty decent. They even make a mustard sauce version.

Bad storms coming through right now and rest of the day. Off work on furlough this week finally able to catch my breath from work, will be much smoking and cooking going on this week. Clubs are finally starting to throw birds and 3 days this week will be out shooting clays. Staying in place is not helping my finances, should have this new 20 ga. SxS in time for my Thursday shoot.

I'm a sucker for nice wood Should be saving money instead of spending it with all this furlough time without pay coming up. But as Ron White said I didn't have the ability...

My 5.5 year old male Toller sister came to live with us as of yesterday. Going to be interesting and a lot of work. She has never heard a gunshot or tasted feathers in her mouth. Yesterday the city girl seen her first deer about 15 yards away in the backyard and went bat shit crazy.

Going to be a lot of work but I'm sure I can fit in a smoke or 2 this week. Maybe even 3. Also need to get the chainsaw out and finish cutting up that downed oak in the backyard now that the snow is gone.
Click to expand...

Two things. I use the att prepaid plans. Wife and I together is 75/month. We have to buy the phones outright but honestly as of like 3 years ago they do it all still so the cheap ones are fine.

What's wrong with food saver brand bags? I have to replenish my stock so just curious.

Sweet deal on the diet and glad to hear. Atkins/keto is the one diet I did okay with. I'm not a fan of vinegar so the string vinegar sauces of the Carolinas are too much for me. Tennessee isn't bad.

fiftyxp said: ↑

you can use a chargriller with smoker attachment and do quite a bit with it.

I used it for a few years and didnt really have any problems, plus the forums theres tons of little inexpensive mods (if you know how to weld etc) you can do to it to get the most out of it.
Click to expand...

Oh...no....this forum is expensive enough I can't attend another forum with mods (I'll be googling after I submitted this post)

I don't have the smoker box and so far for my needs that hasn't been a problem. My wife doesn't like the smoke and is a vegan. So I'm not missing out on having less space available by my fire being in the barrel. But if I find a smoker box I might buy one.

fiftyxp · May 25, 2020

taco-houla said: ↑

Two things. I use the att prepaid plans. Wife and I together is 75/month. We have to buy the phones outright but honestly as of like 3 years ago they do it all still so the cheap ones are fine.

What's wrong with food saver brand bags? I have to replenish my stock so just curious.

Oh...no....this forum is expensive enough I can't attend another forum with mods (I'll be googling after I submitted this post)

I don't have the smoker box and so far for my needs that hasn't been a problem. My wife doesn't like the smoke and is a vegan. So I'm not missing out on having less space available by my fire being in the barrel. But if I find a smoker box I might buy one.
Click to expand...

Yea lowes regularly puts them on sale so just keep eye out.

T4RFTMFW · May 25, 2020

Large said: ↑

God damn some excellent smoke engineering going on there
Click to expand...

Haven’t seen your name on here in a long time. Hope you’re doing well, amigo!

Large · May 25, 2020

T4RFTMFW said: ↑

Haven’t seen your name on here in a long time. Hope you’re doing well, amigo!
Click to expand...

All good man, was in a bad place. Thanks brother.

T4RFTMFW · May 25, 2020

Large said: ↑

All good man, was in a bad place. Thanks brother.
Click to expand...

Reach out if you ever need. Glad you’re back on course.

wilcam47 · May 25, 2020

Large said: ↑

All good man, was in a bad place. Thanks brother.
Click to expand...

Theres someone always you can reach out to...dont ever feel you cant...just saying.

dewayne · May 25, 2020

Got my son a cooker and thermapen for his wedding last year. first time using it yesterday. kept calling about cook temp, doneness temp, etc.and he did deer for his first cook. need to talk about slice against the grain but thats an easy fix. One proud papa here.

Large · May 25, 2020

wilcam47 said: ↑

Theres someone always you can reach out to...dont ever feel you cant...just saying.
Click to expand...

I am the OG of the depression thread, I've got plenty of friends that have been there. Shit a lot of them I met on this site.
Thanks for the good words.

Bigdaddy4760 · May 25, 2020

dewayne said: ↑

Got my son a cooker and thermapen for his wedding last year. first time using it yesterday. kept calling about cook temp, doneness temp, etc.and he did deer for his first cook. need to talk about slice against the grain but thats an easy fix. One proud papa here.
Click to expand...

Looks great

dewayne · May 25, 2020

Large said: ↑

I am the OG of the depression thread, I've got plenty of friends that have been there. Shit a lot of them I met on this site.
Thanks for the good words.
Click to expand...

all jokes aside is there a depression sight. I just looked up a doctors # last week. still scared to go.

T4RFTMFW · May 25, 2020

dewayne said: ↑

all jokes aside is there a depression sight. I just looked up a doctors # last week. still scared to go.
Click to expand...

@crashngiggles

db1984 · May 25, 2020

dewayne said: ↑

all jokes aside is there a depression sight. I just looked up a doctors # last week. still scared to go.
Click to expand...

https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline

GoGoGadget · May 25, 2020

dewayne said: ↑

all jokes aside is there a depression sight. I just looked up a doctors # last week. still scared to go.
Click to expand...

Scared of what? Feeling better? Feeling the same? Feeling worse?

Nothing changes if you don’t change nothing.

Bad grammar, I know, but makes a point.

dewayne · May 25, 2020

GoGoGadget said: ↑

Scared of what? Feeling better? Feeling the same? Feeling worse?

Nothing changes if you don’t change nothing.

Bad grammar, I know, but makes a point.
Click to expand...

not the thread for this but nothing seems to make me happy anymore. everyone wants this and that and i never get time for me. got to the point even if i do get a day i would rather sit around the house. i was a 12 month a year outdoors man and now sometimes deer hunting doesnt satisfy me. dont shoot this dont do that my best hunting is in late muzzle when nobody else is out there. ill pm someone that quoted the post. Thanks

T4RFTMFW · May 25, 2020

dewayne said: ↑

not the thread for this but nothing seems to make me happy anymore. everyone wants this and that and i never get time for me. got to the point even if i do get a day i would rather sit around the house. i was a 12 month a year outdoors man and now sometimes deer hunting doesnt satisfy me. dont shoot this dont do that my best hunting is in late muzzle when nobody else is out there. ill pm someone that quoted the post. Thanks
Click to expand...

Reach out to the guy I mentioned before.

@crashngiggles

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/anxiety-depression.436762/

dewayne · May 25, 2020

g

T4RFTMFW said: ↑

Reach out to the guy I mentioned before.

@crashngiggles

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/anxiety-depression.436762/
Click to expand...

guess what i meant by scared is im the one the family goes to for problems. dads too old,my FIL passed 2 yrs ago and ive got parents,wife,boys,and DIL’s that im the problem solver. thanks for reaching out

crashngiggles · May 25, 2020

Just shoot me a PM @dewayne , I can see if I can help. Any discussions will be held strictly confidential.

T4RFTMFW · May 25, 2020

dewayne said: ↑

g

guess what i meant by scared is im the one the family goes to for problems. dads too old,my FIL passed 2 yrs ago and ive got parents,wife,boys,and DIL’s that im the problem solver. thanks for reaching out
Click to expand...

That’s why you need someone to listen to you also. Even the strongest tree can be broken by the wind. Don’t forget to take care of you while you take care of everyone else.

Log in or Sign up

Welcome to Tacoma World!

Food Smokers and Smoking Tips/Tricks/Techniques

#47441
fiftyxp Well-Known Member

#47442
Large Red

#47443
GarlicFarts Bertolli Roberto

#47444
fiftyxp Well-Known Member

#47445
T4RFTMFW Well-Known Member

#47446
Large Red

#47447
T4RFTMFW Well-Known Member

#47448
wilcam47 Keep on keeping on!

#47449
dewayne Simply Southern.

#47450
Large Red

#47451
Bigdaddy4760 Well traveled Older Than Dirt

#47452
dewayne Simply Southern.

#47453
T4RFTMFW Well-Known Member

#47454
db1984 Well-Known Member

#47455
GoGoGadget Well-Known Member

#47456
dewayne Simply Southern.

#47457
T4RFTMFW Well-Known Member

#47458
dewayne Simply Southern.

#47459
crashngiggles Tacomaworld's Resident Psych Dr.

#47460
T4RFTMFW Well-Known Member

Products Discussed in

Log in or Sign up

Useful Searches

Welcome to Tacoma World!

Food Smokers and Smoking Tips/Tricks/Techniques

#47441 fiftyxp Well-Known Member

#47442 Large Red

#47443 GarlicFarts Bertolli Roberto

#47444 fiftyxp Well-Known Member

#47445 T4RFTMFW Well-Known Member

#47446 Large Red

#47447 T4RFTMFW Well-Known Member

#47448 wilcam47 Keep on keeping on!

#47449 dewayne Simply Southern.

#47450 Large Red

#47451 Bigdaddy4760 Well traveled Older Than Dirt

#47452 dewayne Simply Southern.

#47453 T4RFTMFW Well-Known Member

#47454 db1984 Well-Known Member

#47455 GoGoGadget Well-Known Member

#47456 dewayne Simply Southern.

#47457 T4RFTMFW Well-Known Member

#47458 dewayne Simply Southern.

#47459 crashngiggles Tacomaworld's Resident Psych Dr.

#47460 T4RFTMFW Well-Known Member

Products Discussed in Entire Site Forum: Food Talk Thread: Food Smokers and Smoking Tips/Tricks/Techniques

#47441
fiftyxp Well-Known Member

#47442
Large Red

#47443
GarlicFarts Bertolli Roberto

#47444
fiftyxp Well-Known Member

#47445
T4RFTMFW Well-Known Member

#47446
Large Red

#47447
T4RFTMFW Well-Known Member

#47448
wilcam47 Keep on keeping on!

#47449
dewayne Simply Southern.

#47450
Large Red

#47451
Bigdaddy4760 Well traveled Older Than Dirt

#47452
dewayne Simply Southern.

#47453
T4RFTMFW Well-Known Member

#47454
db1984 Well-Known Member

#47455
GoGoGadget Well-Known Member

#47456
dewayne Simply Southern.

#47457
T4RFTMFW Well-Known Member

#47458
dewayne Simply Southern.

#47459
crashngiggles Tacomaworld's Resident Psych Dr.

#47460
T4RFTMFW Well-Known Member

Products Discussed in