Since I'm new to smoking I find keeping a journal to be useful especially since I am using the digital BS which has temperature fluctuations of 12-14 degrees on average. I keep track of the type and weight of the meat, the rub used, type of wood, hours of smoking, time started, smoker temperature, internal meat temperature at rotations, outside air temperature, any use of mops, internal meat temperature at finish and total cooking time. I figure that once I get to be an old salt at this I can then dispense with the journal. I figure I'm halfway there since I'm already old.... ;)
Today I started a couple of 8lb pork butts for pulled pork. I'm cooking them at 220 and I am guessing they will be done around 20-24 hours. When set at 220 with the digital, upon reaching 220 it clicks off and the temperature increases to 221 degrees and then drops down to 210 before the heat comes back on but the temperature continues to drop to 208-207 before holding steady and then increasing. So I'm guessing I'm getting an average cooking temperature of somewhere around 214 degrees.
i rarely smoke above approx 200 average... so i set it about 204 in the begining and about 200 in the end...
with the origional bradley... vent 1/4 open... duct and fan vented... love control temp switch... about 70 deg ambient... no wind...
204 in the begining is 204 off... rise to about 208... fall to about 196...
200 in the end is 200 off... rise to about 204... fall to about 196...
while the overshoot seems to be about the same... the fall and recovery seems to be less as the beast gets up to temp...
you gotts to eat...
owrstrich
The journal is a great idea. Will help eliminate those - what happened, what to expect questions. I see swings of 5-7 degrees on my 4 rack digital. If it is predictable I think it is good.
Notes are for people who drink too much & can't remember specifics. They also help those who are aging and can't remember specifics.
I use carbon when I take notes. ;D ;D
Kirk
Shucks, Forgot to write up specifics of last weekends smoke. Too old AND drink to much.
Speaking of us "aging" folks, I recall that within the last year or two, someone (smokehouse rob??) posted a two page journal form......I just don't don't recall the thread location........I think that it was a reprint or link to a BBQr's site that had the file on their site?!?!?! I'll do a quick search and see if I can locate it..... ???
Okay....found it....ThanX go to Manxman and Hab for revisiting this back in June of this year......and to Car54 for the original post....here how to get there from here.... http://forum.bradleysmoker.com/index.php?topic=3397.0