How long do you "smoke" your meats for??

[uniman]

I remember someone once told me 4 hours at the most for beef, 3 hours at the most for everything else (pork and poultry).

Your thoughts?

[Gizmo]

4 hours for Brisket and Pork Butts, 2-4 hours for ribs, 1-2 hours for jerky, 1hr-20 min or so for chicken, and what ever the recipe site indicates for the recipes.

[Smoking Duck]

It all depends......there really is no right or wrong....just personal taste.  I will sometimes throw a pork butt or brisket with 5 hours of smoke.  Some will throw 6 hours of smoke on a bigger piece of beef or pig.  I go lighter with chicken and fish but trial and error should decide how long smoke should be on something.  Smoke is a developed taste and some like it stronger, some like it lighter. 

[pensrock]

I agree. Its a matter of taste and the kind of wood being used. In the Bradley 3-5 hours for brisket or pork butt. 2-3 hours for smaller cuts of meat. 1-3 hours for birds, jerky, snack sticks, steaks etc.

[NePaSmoKer]

I'm much like Giz on this.

nepas

[Wildcat]

I'm much like Giz on this.

nepas

Ditto

[Habanero Smoker]

I also will have to say that I agree with Giz, especially as a starting point. Then you can adjust from there.

[beefmann]

1 1/2 to 2 hours for everything here

[westexasmoker]

Anywhere from 1 hour to 3 hours.....with that special wood!  ;D

C

[MallardWacker]

I think after 4hrs it kind has a diminishing returns...

[Tenpoint5]

I think after 4hrs it kind has a diminishing returns...

That's when things go from tasting really good to I'm not liking this anymore, I'm tasting the creosote flavor.

[sherlock]

I just did two butts (16 lbs) over the weekend. Had smoke going for 6 hours and no smoke for 20 hours. Overkill? I don't think so. Most of the time I only use smoke for 1 to 4 hours.

[MallardWacker]

Way back in the day when we first started around here there was a lot of discussion on that...might search back.  There was some great stuff back then.

[Smokin Soon]

4 hours for Brisket and Pork Butts, 2-4 hours for ribs, 1-2 hours for jerky, 1hr-20 min or so for chicken, and what ever the recipe site indicates for the recipes.

Smoke time is a matter of of taste, But I'm with Giz on this one for a get started guide. Just jump in and have fun! You will figure out what you like. And remember, there are no bad smokes. It's all delicious, just take the next one to next level, adjusting smoke times, type of wood, spices ect.