Food Smokers and Smoking Tips/Tricks/Techniques

Pork wrapped in pork how can that not be good

 

I'm on the big island (Hawaii) for 12 days. We are trying out the local food/restaurants and saw an article in the paper about a place that recently opened. It's up close to Waipio valley, just outside Honokaa, which is somewhat remote. The owners have acreage where they raise their own cows and sheep plus they farm their vegetables and fruit. Fish and pork come from other farmers on the island - so all local. The restaurant is on their farm, not really close to anything else.

We decided to give it a try and drove up... We're now 10 days into our trip, and haven eaten at all the most recommended/popular places, we can say this was absolutely the best food. My GF had a grilled fish sandwich that was "perfect" and beat out an expensive restaurant in Hilo. I decided to try the local grass fed (from the pastures on the side of the volcano) beef. They have smoked brisket sandwich on the menu, and I'm always wary of restaurant brisket, but decided to give it a shot because 1) I wanted to try the local beef, and 2) I saw the smoker they used (pics below). So I knew it was real smoke and not added with liquid smoke. Holy cow was it good! Fantastic actually. Honestly it was better than my brisket.



I looked it up later and found they use Kiawe wood, which is a "slightly sweeter" Hawaiian mesquite. I wish we had time to go back but not this trip. If you ever find yourself here make sure you stop by.


http://bigislandnow.com/2016/02/04/waipio-cookhouse-pioneers-in-sustainable-farming/

 

I was going to ask what the totem pole piece was about but since its Hawaii it makes sense..

 

Late lunch. Texas style

Brisket taco!

And on sale at Home Depot. Masterbuilt Smoker if anyone is looking. No experience with this particular smoker though

 

Might have to grab this smoker for my friend, the floor on his has about rotted out.

 

Definitely check your local store.
Not sure if prices will vary from store to store. Good luck !

 

nice price you could resale for 150 on craigslist

 

Making some Guinness pot roast. Recipe courtesy of the Wolfe Pit.

 

Always better the next day.

 

Finished product....

 

How'd it turn out? Interesting idea.

 

Tender for sure! Nice flavor, but was missing something.....more overall spices I suppose. I'd make it again and tweak it around. Just used liberal SPG on the meat.

 

Got the WSM setup and smoking. Figured I'd try this while I was hanging lights all day Friday. I wish I would have been able to start it earlier, but I was tired from my drive home on Thanksgiving.

Things I learned: This smoker comes up to temp much quicker than my old setup. It's not as complicated as it seems, but setup is key. I honestly can't wait to smoke some briskets in here, but I'll have to wait until probably the week after next. There's a lot of rain coming in this weekend.

 

I need thermometer recommendations please, nothing too extravagant, but works. The one on my Char Griller isn't all that accurate imo.
I would like to know internal grill/smoker temps and meat temps.

 

I use this. It's the bees knees.

https://www.amazon.com/Ivation-Wireless-Thermometer-Bonus-Probe/dp/B01M61ZOB8

I'm able to have it setup in front of the garage, and be inside without having to go out all the time.

 

I've been looking at the

$35 Maverick ET-73 ] - White

Maverick ET-73 too. I know it isn't wireless though

 

Edit: had to get my facts straight lol

 

My only let down with the one I had was with the probes. I left one in the water too long when I was washing it, and it caused it to have readings that were off by a large margin.

 

Ouch! Thanks for the knowledge!
Friend of mine uses the higher end Maverick that's bluetooth and has all kinds of bells n whistles, but it's like $80+

 

charcoal smoker this morning