A few things I have learned so far...got others??

Andy · February 21, 2005, 06:14:50 PM

First, I have discovered that the quality of meat mostly irrelevent. I smoked lower grade chicken quarters with expensive ones several weeks ago...no difference after spending 8 hours in the smoker.

The turkey breast I did this weekend was the cheapest one I could find...and came out great.

I have smoked about 6 pork butts...some were damn expensive...some were cheapo's...not much difference.

What does make a big difference is time, temp...and flavor added (READ: wood flavor and rub)

Some rubs are to sweet for me. Some just do not have the flavor I ahve wanted. My turkey breast this weekend came out great...but I would definitely change the brine next time to be more terioki...nothing against Smokehouse's brine..it was good...but I prefer terioki. I have found wood makes a big difference as well. I really liked the hickory smoked butt and chicken quarters...but to me the sweetness of the pecan was awesome...I know others will disagree.

Further...time and temp is also something. If I smoke a pork butt to 190...it will be dry..altitude for me at 9500 ft plays a roll there. If i pull it at 175 it will be a bit fatty...180 to 185 is a lot less fat...and not dry. It is amazing how 5 degrees in temp makes a difference. THis weekend..when i do the same smoke again...Turkey adn pork butt...the breast will stay in an extra hour or so til 165...

I found with pork ribs...country style...160 is done...but 175 is perfect. Chicken quarters...160 is done...165 is perfect. 5 hours of smoke for chicken to me is boarder line to much...5 hours on pork is perfect.

I also found rubs make a huge difference. I really like rubs with heat...at first I thought it would really be to spicy...like if you grilled a piece of meat with no skin. I found the skin really reduced the power of the rub...so more is better for me.

just a few things...I got my smoker 2 months ago...and just did my 10th smoke...I am sure more to come...

psdubl07 · February 21, 2005, 08:40:19 PM

Nice summary on your experience so far.

I'll throw in my 2 cents...

- Everyone's taste is different, so try many different recipes and find what you like. While I definitely have my opinions about what works and what doesn't, nothing I've cooked in my Bradley has been bad.

- Others may have different results, but I've found the lowest rack in my Bradley gets the most heat and the least smoke, the top rack gets the opposite. I keep this in mind depending on what I'm smoking and if I need to rotate racks or not.

- Be sure to have plenty of 2 things on hand when you're ready to smoke: 1)Time 2)Beer
Not necessarily in that order though... [;)]

JJC · February 22, 2005, 03:57:57 AM

Paul, I would only add that during the winter months having a good supply of whisky or schnapps is just as important as having plenty of beer . . . [;)]

John
Newton MA

psdubl07 · February 22, 2005, 05:03:30 PM

YOU, are correct sir! [:D]

gotbbq · February 23, 2005, 11:24:29 PM

psdubl07-

One of the greatest things about smoking is that when the smoker is working its imposssible for the wife to tell if i'm smoking a cigar. In winter I smoke (meat and cubans) in the garage with the door slightly open. it doesn't get much better than this.

Gotbbq[^][^][^]

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by psdubl07
 Nice summary on your experience so far.

I'll throw in my 2 cents...

- Everyone's taste is different, so try many different recipes and find what you like. While I definitely have my opinions about what works and what doesn't, nothing I've cooked in my Bradley has been bad.

- Others may have different results, but I've found the lowest rack in my Bradley gets the most heat and the least smoke, the top rack gets the opposite. I keep this in mind depending on what I'm smoking and if I need to rotate racks or not.

- Be sure to have plenty of 2 things on hand when you're ready to smoke: 1)Time 2)Beer
Not necessarily in that order though... [;)]
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Chez Bubba · February 24, 2005, 01:11:28 AM

1. Don't tug on Superman's cape.

2. Don't spit into the wind.

3. Don't pull the mask off the ole' Lone Ranger.

4. Don't mess around with Jim.

[:D][:D]

http://www.chezbubba.com
Ya think next time I check into a hotel & they ask "Smoking or Non?" they would mind?

JJC · February 24, 2005, 02:13:38 AM

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Chez Bubba
 1. Don't spit into the wind.

2. Don't pull the mask off the Lone Ranger.

3. Don't mess around with Jim.

[:D][:D]

http://www.chezbubba.com
Ya think next time I check into a hotel & they ask "Smoking or Non?" they would mind?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Uh, Kirk, isn't that "Don't pull on Superman's cape"? [:D][8D]

John
Newton MA

Chez Bubba · February 24, 2005, 02:19:34 AM

Oops! Edited it for correctness, at least as well as this old man can remember.[:D]

http://www.chezbubba.com
Ya think next time I check into a hotel & they ask "Smoking or Non?" they would mind?