As I'm getting past the the turkey fryer fad & am now interested in the wood smoker fad, I was going pick up a smoker this week for use during the season.
At this point, I'm not looking to drop $200+ for a smoker until I know it's something I can commit the time to use. I was thinking about buying this cheapo model from Lowe's:
(http://images.lowes.com/product/converted/039953/039953501883md.jpg)
Anyone have any experience/advice for someone starting out with a smoker?
When I first clicked on this topic, my brain read it differently.
Nevermind.
Quote from: FFatPatt on August 23, 2006, 10:27:41 PM
When I first clicked on this topic, my brain read it differently.
Nevermind.
I'm tired & there was no easy way to phrase this without thinking of...
(http://www.bravotv.com/_content/images/bio_carson.gif) or (http://www.bravotv.com/_content/images/bio_jai.gif)
I was thinking more along the lines of the two o's in Wood becoming e's, actually.
I thought of something like this:
(http://www.susbirder.com/images/bearfarger.jpg)
you can avoid all that woodsmoker nonsense, save your money and keep your grill.
buy the wood chunks anywhere, get them damp, put aluminum around them, poke holes on the top, drop them oin the grill, let them fire up for 15 minutes and let em smoke. comes out perfect and saves you the loot
but Im guessing your past that part?
Quote from: reese125 on August 23, 2006, 10:50:54 PM
but Im guessing your past that part?
Thanks. Nope, I was going to pick one up this weekend.
One of the girls I work with has one of those "Big Green Egg" smokers & she brings in smoked pork every week that makes me want to be her slave.
your mom's a wood smoker
Quote from: Lil' Miss SunMo on August 23, 2006, 11:09:43 PM
your mom's a wood smoker
No, she's a meat smoker. She likes the kielbasa in her smoking box.
reese125 method works.
I did get a cast iron smoker box for about $10 that you put the wood chips in and then place it in the grill. I like that it is more sturdy than aluminum foil. Whatever floats your boat.
Whatever smokes your sausage.
doesnt it take like 72 days to smoke meat
Quote from: ice grillin you on August 24, 2006, 11:49:25 AM
doesnt it take like 72 days to smoke meat
Close. It can be done in less than a day.
Everything you wanted to know about smoking meat......and then some. (http://forums.egullet.org/index.php?showtopic=28501)
i didnt realize it was something that could be done at a tailgate
put down the cosmo's and pay attention
Quote from: ice grillin you on August 24, 2006, 12:22:23 PM
i didnt realize it was something that could be done at a tailgate
I saw a couple guys smoking racks of ribs last year, which is what got me curious. You need to start early & most likely can't do it for a 1:00 game.
Quote from: Beermonkey on August 24, 2006, 12:30:36 PM
Quote from: ice grillin you on August 24, 2006, 12:22:23 PM
i didnt realize it was something that could be done at a tailgate
I saw a couple guys smoking racks of ribs last year, which is what got me curious. You need to start early & most likely can't do it for a 1:00 game.
Even for a 4pm game you'd still have to get started by about 5am in order to actually be able to eat the stuff before the game starts. I wonder if the guys you saw had already smoked them and were basically just warming them back up. ???
Which begs the question: How do YOU warm your meat at a tailgate?
using the tin foil or smoker box you are still cooking the meat via the grill, but getting the smoke flavor. Hence you can cook it in a short amount of time.
Quote from: MURP on August 24, 2006, 04:29:23 PM
using the tin foil or smoker box you are still cooking the meat via the grill, but getting the smoke flavor. Hence you can cook it in a short amount of time.
So it's like the microwave oven of smoking. Sounds like some mangled hocus pocus black magic to me.
Thanks to all those that posted & especially Susquehanna for the link, which was extremely helpful. I ended up buying a cheap smoker from Lowe's & after some trial & error, today I smoked the best ribs I've ever had at home.
I prepped my ribs last night by first trimming off the fat & membrane, then smearing them in mustard. I made a rub by mixing brown sugar, paprika, cayenne, kosher salt, pepper, cumin & garlic powder.
After soaking the mesquite wood chips for an hour, I started the charcoal fire & added the wood once the charcoal got hot. After filling up the water pan, I added 2 split racks of rubbed pork ribs. Over the course of about 3 hours, I made sure that the temp didn't get too hot & when the smoke died down, added more soaked chips.
The process is worth it for just the smell alone, as it reminds you of being in the Linc parking lot in the fall. If anyone is in for the Cowboys game, I plan on smoking ribs for the tailgate & would be happy to share.
dude, you just made me so friggin hungry. nice work on the ribs
BM - I have a similar one to the original pic you posted and i love it. it takes alittle longer than a propane grill but the results are worth it. steaks, burgers excellant smoke flavor can't be beat. did ribs up in canada last week, oh my lord. gives you more time to drink before the meats done.
Quote from: Beermonkey on September 04, 2006, 02:05:21 PM
The process is worth it for just the smell alone, as it reminds you of being in the Linc parking lot in the fall.
so your ribs smelled like piss and cheap booze? ;D
Quote from: MURP on September 04, 2006, 04:15:03 PM
Quote from: Beermonkey on September 04, 2006, 02:05:21 PM
The process is worth it for just the smell alone, as it reminds you of being in the Linc parking lot in the fall.
so your ribs smelled like piss and cheap booze? ;D
:-D It smelled more like the lot around 10:00, before the porta-potties start to overfill.
so your bringing it to the tailgate then right...
I wish I could take credit for giving you a link...but I'll certainly accept some of whatever you decide to prepare at a tailgate. ;D
Unless someone sent him a link via PM, then I can only guess he's talking about me since I'm the only person who linked anything over here. ???
Regardless, have fun smoking your meat BM. :paranoid
Easy way for a tailgate and keep in mind that I am a competitive barbecuer.
DRY rub ribs (leave the fat) Paprika, Brown Sugar, Cumin, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Cayanne, Salt.
Wrap TIGHTLY in saran wrap and refrigerate overnight.
Bake in 250 degree oven for 3 hours.
Wrap in foil.
Fire up Smoker. (I use a barrel type with an offset smoke box, but any indirect FIRE source will do.)
Soak your chips. For pork I like a fruit wood, for beef I will use mesquite or hickory
When coals are hot put unwrapped ribs on the grates. Remember, you must use indirect heat!
Put some chips on coals to generate intense smoke
Maintain temp between 250 and 300.
Cook for 1-2 hours while maintaining smoke.
If you like BBQ sauce, Brush on after cooking time for 15 minutes with ribs wrapped in foil, top vented.
I made one of these over the weekend. Haven't had a chance to use it yet, but it should work. Definately for the budget concious, and if someone gets hammered and falls on it at the tailgate, you wouldn't really give a farg.
http://www.cruftbox.com/cruft/docs/elecsmoker.html
Quote from: stalker on September 05, 2006, 03:37:58 PM
keep in mind that I am a competitive barbecuer.
Throw yourself on the grill.
Quote from: Sgt PSN on September 05, 2006, 04:06:48 PM
Quote from: stalker on September 05, 2006, 03:37:58 PM
keep in mind that I am a competitive barbecuer.
Throw yourself on the grill.
You wanna try the smoked sausage?
Quote from: PhillyPhaninDC on September 05, 2006, 03:39:01 PM
I made one of these over the weekend. Haven't had a chance to use it yet, but it should work. Definately for the budget concious, and if someone gets hammered and falls on it at the tailgate, you wouldn't really give a farg.
http://www.cruftbox.com/cruft/docs/elecsmoker.html
This is some high quality design and diagram.
(http://www.cruftbox.com/cruft/images/smokerdesign.jpg)
:-D
Make sure you use a good-quality galvanized can. You can never get too much zinc.
You really don't want to use a rubber can.
If you do, make sure you have your jimmy hat.
Quote from: Beermonkey on September 04, 2006, 02:05:21 PMIf anyone is in for the Cowboys game, I plan on smoking ribs for the tailgate & would be happy to share.
i think i love you dude.
Quote from: Sgt PSN on September 05, 2006, 02:21:46 PM
Unless someone sent him a link via PM, then I can only guess he's talking about me since I'm the only person who linked anything over here. ???
Regardless, have fun smoking your meat BM. :paranoid
Sorry, I meant you.
Quote from: rjs246 on September 05, 2006, 06:09:29 PM
Quote from: PhillyPhaninDC on September 05, 2006, 03:39:01 PM
I made one of these over the weekend. Haven't had a chance to use it yet, but it should work. Definately for the budget concious, and if someone gets hammered and falls on it at the tailgate, you wouldn't really give a farg.
http://www.cruftbox.com/cruft/docs/elecsmoker.html
This is some high quality design and diagram.
(http://www.cruftbox.com/cruft/images/smokerdesign.jpg)
:-D :-D :-D
Quote from: mussa on September 05, 2006, 09:26:42 AM
so your bringing it to the tailgate then right...
Yes sir.
(http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j224/beermonkey68/smoker.jpg)
(http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j224/beermonkey68/smoker1.jpg)
(http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j224/beermonkey68/untitled.jpg)
:-D