BRADLEY SMOKER | "Taste the Great Outdoors"

Smoking Techniques => Hot Smoking and Barbecuing => Topic started by: Rainmaker on October 15, 2009, 01:09:06 PM

Title: Tempature slow recovery
Post by: Rainmaker on October 15, 2009, 01:09:06 PM
I'm doing my first ribs on the OBS today.  I have 4 racks (Bradley racks) going.  I preheated the smoker including a a foil covered brick to about 250 deg .  When I put the ribs in (which had been out of the fridge for an hour) the temp dropped to 150 deg.  After an hour and a half it is still only back to 182.  Couple of questions:

Is this recovery time normal?
I'm using 10.5's method.  Do I need to add time to the "3 hour initial smoking time" he recommends?
Title: Re: Tempature slow recovery
Post by: classicrockgriller on October 15, 2009, 01:17:11 PM
It's ok. No extra smoke time. Just worry about the finish IT.
Title: Re: Tempature slow recovery
Post by: Rainmaker on October 15, 2009, 01:29:50 PM
Back up to 190 deg now (After two hours)
Title: Re: Tempature slow recovery
Post by: Wildcat on October 15, 2009, 01:39:34 PM
With all things Bradley, patience is a virtue. It will be fine.  ;)
Title: Re: Tempature slow recovery
Post by: BigJohnT on October 15, 2009, 01:40:07 PM
Jim,

It's pure physics. The more mass you put into the smoker at a cooler temperature the longer it takes to heat that mass up. You put 2 pounds of 60 degree chicken wings in your smoker preheated to 225 and the temperature drops to say 180 and takes X1 time to rise back to 225. Put 10 pounds of 60 degree chicken wings in your smoker and the temperature drops to 140 and takes X3-4 times as long to get back up. The reason is you only have 600 watts of heat (500 + smoke generators 100 watts). 600 watts of heat will only raise the temperature so fast while the cool meat is lowering it by taking it in faster than the heaters can put it back out. So the more mass you have at 225 the better (the brick) and the warmer the meat is (within safe food guide lines) and the less you put in the faster the recovery. There is some ramping of the recovery the warmer the food gets so it is not quite even. For example it takes me 3 hours to fully cook one pack of chicken wings (about 2.5 pounds or so) and it takes 5-6 hours to cook 10 pounds of wings to the same doneness.

John
Title: Re: Tempature slow recovery
Post by: OU812 on October 15, 2009, 01:56:55 PM
What John said.

Also dont close your vent thinking it will help heat up faster. It wont rather it will slow down the recovery. You need the vent at least 1/2 open to allow the moisture to escape, if it dont the moisture will absorb the heat rather than the meat and if the moisture builds up in your cabnet it could drip back on your food witch aint good. It can also back up into your smoke generator and cause problems.
Title: Re: Tempature slow recovery
Post by: monty on October 15, 2009, 02:00:37 PM
JimV - in addition to a good preheat (cabinet + smoke generator on without advancing a puck) and the foiled brick, i've found that letting the meat come up to room temperature helps a lot. last time i did 4 racks of ribs i let them sit out for awhile to warm up. like BigJohnT pointed out make sure it's within safe food guidelines.
Title: Re: Tempature slow recovery
Post by: classicrockgriller on October 15, 2009, 02:06:53 PM
I click the on button (default setting is 280) and let it heat. when it gets 250 or 260 I put the meat in and leave setting alone at 280 then about 30 to 40 minutes longer I reset heat to where I want. But I may be doing it wrong.
Title: Re: Tempature slow recovery
Post by: ArnieM on October 15, 2009, 04:20:44 PM
What everyone said.  I use two bricks in my OBS, space permitting.  It may take a bit longer to preheat but the recovery seems faster.

I was going to put BigJohnT's physics dissertation into an equation, but I'm too tired.  ;)

You can also put your meat in the oven at a low temp, without actually cooking it, while the Bradley is preheating.  Then, the trick is get everything out there, open the door, get it in as fast as you can and close the door.  It might be a bit colder in BC than down here, even though it's been snowing all afternoon.  Opening the door for 45 seconds or more will certainly dump the heat.  But, as previously stated, go for the IT.  Remember - low and slow.
Title: Re: Tempature slow recovery
Post by: Rainmaker on October 15, 2009, 04:22:46 PM
Took the ribs out after 4 hours.  Looked (and tasted cooked).  They are now boating in cranberry apple juice for an hour.
(Wanted to add some pictures but haven't figured that out yet!)
Title: Re: Tempature slow recovery
Post by: classicrockgriller on October 15, 2009, 04:24:58 PM
Try this link to get your pictures going.

http://www.susanminor.org/forums/showpost.php?p=768&postcount=11
Title: Re: Tempature slow recovery
Post by: BigJohnT on October 15, 2009, 04:47:25 PM
Quote from: ArnieM on October 15, 2009, 04:20:44 PM
Opening the door for 45 seconds or more will certainly dump the heat.  But, as previously stated, go for the IT.  Remember - low and slow.

ArnieM, the air doesn't have very much thermal mass so opening the door is less than you think. Also air is not a good conductor as compared to steam or metal. I have some heat calculators on my web site.

http://suburb.semo.net/jet1024/beer/software/beer-software.html

John
Title: Re: Tempature slow recovery
Post by: Rainmaker on October 15, 2009, 05:47:21 PM
Thanks classicrockgriller.  Pctures coming after we demolish these ribs!
Title: Re: Tempature slow recovery
Post by: classicrockgriller on October 15, 2009, 05:57:18 PM
Kewl
Title: Re: Tempature slow recovery
Post by: ArnieM on October 15, 2009, 06:26:36 PM
Quote from: BigJohnT on October 15, 2009, 04:47:25 PM

ArnieM, the air doesn't have very much thermal mass so opening the door is less than you think. Also air is not a good conductor as compared to steam or metal. I have some heat calculators on my web site.

Nice web site John.

http://suburb.semo.net/jet1024/beer/software/beer-software.html

John

(IMHO)  I totally agree that air has a very low thermal mass.  That's the reason for the bricks or rocks - high thermal mass.  But it's the air doing the cooking, not the 500W element.  The smoker, by itself, doesn't have very much internal mass; thin metal walls.  Opening the door lets the hot air out.  Recovery then becomes a function of the heater reheating the new, cooler air.  I've found a goodly temp drop just opening the door to take a quick picture.

John, enjoy your smoker AND your beer.  I've never done beer.  I don't care for it that much.  But I do go for a good bitter ale.  ;)
Title: Re: Tempature slow recovery
Post by: Rainmaker on October 15, 2009, 10:18:41 PM
A few pictures taken just after smoking the ribs for 4 hrs.  Two of the racks were taken from the freezer and were a little drier that the fresh racks.  Note to myself - always use fresh racks!.  After taking these pictures I boated in cranberry/apple juice for an hour then sauced and heated for another hour.  I think I could have just smoked for 3 hours and they still would have been fine.  The meat fell off the bone when we ate them and those that were fresh were very moist.  Thanks to all who provided advice today

(http://i906.photobucket.com/albums/ac261/jimv_01/DSC02384.jpg)
(http://i906.photobucket.com/albums/ac261/jimv_01/DSC02383.jpg)
(http://i906.photobucket.com/albums/ac261/jimv_01/DSC02381.jpg)
(http://i906.photobucket.com/albums/ac261/jimv_01/DSC02382.jpg)

Title: Re: Tempature slow recovery
Post by: classicrockgriller on October 15, 2009, 10:27:35 PM
They look good. I love ribs.

Thanks for the pics.

Keep notes and what you learned this time use it to make a better smoke next time.

They look good
Title: Re: Tempature slow recovery
Post by: Quarlow on October 15, 2009, 10:33:43 PM
Ok now you did it Jim. I couldn't hold off.So 2 weeks ago I picked up this pack of ribs.
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af233/quarlow/Picture.jpg)
Pok side ribs brisket removed, 3.6 kgs, $5.98 per kg. cost $21.54 If you want to know the price per pound do the math cause my skills don't include arithmatic. So what is going to be the best way to do these. I have some of Jan's rub that I made or I am open to suggestions. I told My non somking Bro. about them and now I will have to produce. Ok folks give me your best. What did you do Jim those look damn good.
Title: Re: Tempature slow recovery
Post by: classicrockgriller on October 15, 2009, 10:43:10 PM
IMO: let them defrost naturally ie: fridge
remove the membrane alone back side
apply rub (your fav or Jan's is excellent)
wrap in cello and fridge upto 24 hrs
then 3-2-1
if you do it right, they will fall off the bone
if you want to chew a little bit
3-1-1 or until IT is good for you

I hardly ever worry about It on ribs
I look how far the meat has pulled back
Title: Re: Tempature slow recovery
Post by: Quarlow on October 15, 2009, 10:48:05 PM
Sounds good CRG. Now 3-2-1. Thats 3 hrs smoke, 2 hrs cook and 1 hr ftc with some kind of juice. I think. Damn, Bad memory.
Title: Re: Tempature slow recovery
Post by: Rainmaker on October 15, 2009, 10:50:51 PM
Hi Quarlow,  I did just as Classicrockgriller described.  I added an extra hour on the initial smoke because it took quite a while for the smoker to return to 225 deg because all four racks were full.  In hindsight I don't think I needed to do that.  I never did take the IT.  I used Jan's rub (a slight variation) and boated usign cranberry apple juice.  I found the fresh ribs more moist than the frozen ribs (not that they weren't good as well) but will always try to use fresh ribs for future smoking.  Good luck
Title: Re: Tempature slow recovery
Post by: classicrockgriller on October 15, 2009, 10:54:45 PM
3 hrs smoke
2 hrs boating (wrap in foil w/small amt of apple or whatever juice
1 hroutside the boat on bradley
Title: Re: Tempature slow recovery
Post by: classicrockgriller on October 15, 2009, 10:56:05 PM
you can tent the ribs, I don't ftc ribs
Title: Re: Tempature slow recovery
Post by: classicrockgriller on October 15, 2009, 10:58:24 PM
frozen ribs or ok....just defrost in fridge
Title: Re: Tempature slow recovery
Post by: Quarlow on October 15, 2009, 11:00:13 PM
Thanks Jim and CRG. That's what I will do.
Title: Re: Tempature slow recovery
Post by: classicrockgriller on October 15, 2009, 11:01:39 PM
ok....3-2-1
ribs in Bradley....smoke 3 hrs
ribs in foil on bradley....cook for 2 hrs
ribs back on bradley with no foil...cook for 1 hr
Title: Re: Tempature slow recovery
Post by: Hopefull Romantic on October 16, 2009, 02:56:57 AM
Quote from: classicrockgriller on October 15, 2009, 11:01:39 PM
ok....3-2-1
ribs in Bradley....smoke 3 hrs
ribs in foil on bradley....cook for 2 hrs
ribs back on bradley with no foil...cook for 1 hr

Q, you can also put bbq sauce on your ribs for the last hour in the Bradley. I did that last night and they were KEWL.

HR
Title: Re: Tempature slow recovery
Post by: OU812 on October 16, 2009, 06:17:01 AM
Good looking ribs Jim, glad they worked out for you.

There is a bit of a learning curve when doing ribs.

Quote from: classicrockgriller on October 15, 2009, 11:01:39 PM
ok....3-2-1
ribs in Bradley....smoke 3 hrs
ribs in foil on bradley....cook for 2 hrs
ribs back on bradley with no foil...cook for 1 hr

Q
3..2..1  Is the way I do it also with 3 hr Pecan
Title: Re: Tempature slow recovery
Post by: Tenpoint5 on October 16, 2009, 07:56:32 AM
Quote from: JimV on October 15, 2009, 01:09:06 PM
I'm using 10.5's method. 
Not if you smoked for 4 hours!!!!! :D ;D The ribs looked like they turned out real well for you.
Title: Re: Tempature slow recovery
Post by: Rainmaker on October 16, 2009, 12:54:35 PM
Sorry 10.5 - a bit of artistic license.  I'm still wondering why it took so long to get the temp back to 225 deg - never did reach that.  I read elsewhere on this site that, if you have the slider hard right, it sometimes doesn't work well.  Will try moving that back a bit next time.  Had ribs for lunch today and they are just as good reheated as they were last night.
Title: Re: Tempature slow recovery
Post by: Quarlow on October 16, 2009, 01:05:39 PM
I think I am going to pull the fornt of my OBS and put the meter on the slide cntrol to see if it does cut off. Of course soon as the funds become availible ( when the wife says OK and stop nagging me jerk) I will be adding a PID.
Title: Re: Tempature slow recovery
Post by: OU812 on October 16, 2009, 01:15:00 PM
Quote from: JimV on October 16, 2009, 12:54:35 PM
Had ribs for lunch today and they are just as good reheated as they were last night.


Sometimes there better.
Title: Re: Tempature slow recovery
Post by: ArnieM on October 16, 2009, 04:31:36 PM
Quote from: Quarlow on October 16, 2009, 01:05:39 PM
I think I am going to pull the fornt of my OBS and put the meter on the slide cntrol to see if it does cut off.

There's a much simpler method.  Put the slider all the way to the right.  Wait 10 minutes.  Open the door and put your finger on the heating element.  A little Carolina Treet on your finger wouldn't hurt any.  ;D  If it sizzles, you're good to go!

Title: Re: Tempature slow recovery
Post by: Quarlow on October 16, 2009, 04:39:03 PM
Or I could put the slider all the way to the right. Wait 10 minutes. Open the door and put my finger on the heating element. And if my finger sizzles I will put some Carolina Treet on it to numb the pain. Huh Glad I thought of it. LOL
Title: Re: Tempature slow recovery
Post by: Hopefull Romantic on October 16, 2009, 04:43:28 PM
Holy Crap it is contagious. CT is infecting other threads.  ;D ;D ;D ;D

HR
Title: Re: Tempature slow recovery
Post by: BigJohnT on October 16, 2009, 04:51:06 PM
You can also get CT here (http://www.smokeandstuff.com) from a fellow forum member.

JT
Title: Re: Tempature slow recovery
Post by: ArnieM on October 16, 2009, 04:51:36 PM
HR, my cat likes it.  I'll bet Zelda could lap up a bowl.
Title: Re: Tempature slow recovery
Post by: Hopefull Romantic on October 16, 2009, 04:56:35 PM
Quote from: BigJohnT on October 16, 2009, 04:51:06 PM
You can also get CT here (http://www.smokeandstuff.com) from a fellow forum member.

JT

Thanks JT I will be making arangements shortly.
Quote from: ArnieM on October 16, 2009, 04:51:36 PM
HR, my cat likes it.  I'll bet Zelda could lap up a bowl.
I bet she would. Every time shesees me smoking she comes near the Bradley and sits by loke almost guarding it for me. She gets a hefty share and is a happy camper.

HR
Title: Re: Tempature slow recovery
Post by: West Coast Kansan on October 17, 2009, 01:11:11 AM
Just a couple of thoughts... using one of those tin foil pans (about same size as the space in bottom of the smoker) about 3/4 full of hot water helps reduce the preheat time (as opposed to bricks etc) and will give up its heat more readily than a solid mass like a brick there by improving recovery time.

Old theory indicates the moisture (vapor) from the water will also more effectively transfer heat to your meat as well.

Old theory also indicates and after much experimenting I believe it that - slabs of ribs all cook differently and that using IT on slabs results in a huge variation due to the difference in thickness / fat content etc end to end.

Finally got the discipline to let them cook until at least a 1/4 inch of bone was exposed AND the bone would break loose with a reasonable amount of twisting rotation.