BRADLEY SMOKER | "Taste the Great Outdoors"

Recipe Discussions => Meat => Topic started by: Huntnfreak on December 07, 2009, 09:38:01 AM

Title: Placement in the smoker for taste?
Post by: Huntnfreak on December 07, 2009, 09:38:01 AM
I just finished doing two pork butts in my 4 rack digital.  They were both the same size.  One was injected with teriyaki and the other with apple cider.  I used the same rub on both.  When it was all said in done, they were both very juicy and tender.  They turned out great.  Unfortunately I couldn't tell the difference between the two in taste.  One was slightly darker than the other so I am assuming it was the terriyaki.  However, one of them had more of a smoke flavor than the other one.  I can't remember which one was on top and which one was on the bottom.  My question is will you get more smoke flavor by being closer to the smoke generator or closer to the vent? 
Title: Re: Placement in the smoker for taste?
Post by: Pachanga on December 07, 2009, 09:50:05 AM
I have smoked multiple briskets many times and do not notice any difference, however, I take the lowest brisket off first and move all the racks down while continuing to smoke until the last (top) brisket comes off.

I will be interested in the experience of others on this question.

Good luck and slow smoking,

Pachanga
Title: Re: Placement in the smoker for taste?
Post by: KyNola on December 07, 2009, 10:00:19 AM
I've never noticed a smoke flavor difference when using multiple racks either.

KyNola
Title: Re: Placement in the smoker for taste?
Post by: FLBentRider on December 07, 2009, 10:31:35 AM
I've had up to four butts in my OBS at once.

I've never noticed a difference in Flavor.

But I almost always use the same rub / brine for all butts in the same cook.

I rotate racks top to bottom and front to back every four hours or so. I don't flip anything on the racks.
Title: Re: Placement in the smoker for taste?
Post by: OU812 on December 07, 2009, 01:16:51 PM
I have never noticed a difference eather.

Maybe it was the teriyaki that enhanced the smoke flavor, if that is the one that had more smoke flavor.

Do it again and take notes this time to see what you come up with.
Title: Re: Placement in the smoker for taste?
Post by: lumpy on December 07, 2009, 02:08:08 PM
I figure that anywhere there is smoke is good.
I do however rotate rack every 2 hours.

Lumpy
Title: Re: Placement in the smoker for taste?
Post by: Habanero Smoker on December 07, 2009, 02:09:45 PM
I have smoke multiple cuts before, but never tested them side by side to see if there was any difference. Though there are so many factors that can influence the out come, if you noticed a difference maybe placement is a factor. I know that many say the smoker is just an oven once the generator is shut of, but I disagree with that. Drippings hitting the drip pan, vaporize and add additional flavor to the meat. Maybe the meat on the bottom benefits most from the vapors.
Title: Re: Placement in the smoker for taste?
Post by: Huntnfreak on December 08, 2009, 04:34:24 PM
Thanks for all the replies.  I've had some internet problems here, so it has taken me awhile to get back to the forum.  Based off of what I hear from all of you, I think it was probably the teriyaki that had more smoke flavor.  The problem was that I had "help" when I got them back in the house, so I can't remember which one was teriyaki and which one was apple cider.  I do think that the teriyaki was probably the one that seemed to have more of a smoke flavor to it.  At least how I percieved it anyway.  It was a little darker meat inside.  Not much, but a slight difference.  They were both juicy and tasted great, so no complaints there.  I will have to do this experiment again though and keep a better eye on which is which.  Maybe when I don't have "help" around.
Title: Re: Placement in the smoker for taste?
Post by: squirtthecat on December 08, 2009, 04:39:44 PM

Toothpicks help for marking this vs that..
Title: Re: Placement in the smoker for taste?
Post by: Huntnfreak on December 08, 2009, 04:42:01 PM
Where were you before my help showed up!
Title: Re: Placement in the smoker for taste?
Post by: squirtthecat on December 08, 2009, 04:44:42 PM

:D
Title: Re: Placement in the smoker for taste?
Post by: Huntnfreak on December 08, 2009, 04:53:23 PM
Thanks for the tip.  I will do that next time. ;D
Title: Re: Placement in the smoker for taste?
Post by: Ka Honu on December 08, 2009, 06:13:36 PM
Quote from: squirtthecat on December 08, 2009, 04:39:44 PMToothpicks help for marking this vs that..

... but it can be a problem remembering which toothpick is "this" and which is "that," especially since they look so much alike.
Title: Re: Placement in the smoker for taste?
Post by: squirtthecat on December 08, 2009, 06:54:11 PM
Quote from: Ka Honu on December 08, 2009, 06:13:36 PM
Quote from: squirtthecat on December 08, 2009, 04:39:44 PMToothpicks help for marking this vs that..

... but it can be a problem remembering which toothpick is "this" and which is "that," especially since they look so much alike.

I've got Technicolored ones..   ;D
Title: Re: Placement in the smoker for taste?
Post by: Huntnfreak on December 09, 2009, 06:02:46 PM
Maybe I will have to label mine. :D :D :D
Title: Re: Placement in the smoker for taste?
Post by: Tenpoint5 on December 09, 2009, 08:11:36 PM
could always write it down 1 toothpick is this and two toothpicks is that. Beings your just starting out in this venture I would Highly sujest getting a small notebook and writing down the nifo for each of your smokes so you can recreate the same thing again or know what not to do the next time. I have been doing this for some time now and I still jot notes in a small note book when I am trying a new recipe or a change on an old recipe.
Title: Re: Placement in the smoker for taste?
Post by: OU812 on December 10, 2009, 09:34:51 AM
Yep, take notes, helps when you make the next batch of what ever, take notes of the finished product also that you can decide if it needs anything wile its still fresh in your mind. The tooth pick thing, 1 for this, 2 for that and 3 for the other thing works great when you are doing many flavors of the same thing.
Title: Re: Placement in the smoker for taste?
Post by: Ka Honu on December 10, 2009, 04:44:25 PM
Quote from: Huntnfreak on December 09, 2009, 06:02:46 PMMaybe I will have to label mine.

Good idea.  I have a magnifying glass; anyone know where I can get a really tiny pen?
Title: Re: Placement in the smoker for taste?
Post by: Huntnfreak on December 10, 2009, 05:18:13 PM
I've been taking notes about each smoke I do.  It has already proved to be very helpful.  I've been documenting everything I can think of from start to finish.  Times, type of meat, weight of meat, brines, rubs, outdoor temps, oven temps, internal temps, you name it I've been writing it down.  I have one notebook I'm using to document each smoke and another designated strictly for receipes.  They are both growing rapidly!  I really want to get out and smoke something, but it's about -10*F.  It's time to figure out a way to smoke inside!!
Title: Re: Placement in the smoker for taste?
Post by: OU812 on December 11, 2009, 09:33:59 AM
Quote from: Huntnfreak on December 10, 2009, 05:18:13 PM
I've been taking notes about each smoke I do.  It has already proved to be very helpful.  I've been documenting everything I can think of from start to finish.  Times, type of meat, weight of meat, brines, rubs, outdoor temps, oven temps, internal temps, you name it I've been writing it down.  I have one notebook I'm using to document each smoke and another designated strictly for receipes.  They are both growing rapidly!  I really want to get out and smoke something, but it's about -10*F.  It's time to figure out a way to smoke inside!!

There you go, I hated to take notes in school but now when I try some thing new I make sure to take good notes. When Taby wanted some spicy teriyaki jerky I stood back and let her use my recipe and add some heat to it, I did that part, she took notes. Man she has perfect hand righting.