Hello from Ontario, Canada!

[calis72]

Hi Folks,

Just picked up a brand new Digital 4 rack smoker last week.    I bought it at Canadian Tire and got what I consider to be a screaming good deal.   The regular price for this unit is $499.99 and the bisquettes go for for $19.99 per box.

I found that LeBaron carries this same smoker for $363.94 and bisquettes for $12.99 - $14.99 per box.

I went to customer service and they price-matched plus gave me 10% of the lower value in Canadian Tire money.  All in all I saved a considerable amount of money and walked out with $40 in Canadian tire cash :)


On Saturday after waking up super early to season the smoker (with crown royal), I smoked some chicken legs & thighs that I had marinated overnight in a teriyaki/garlic off the shelf marinade, and a pork shoulder that I made with a Texas style dry rub.   I hickory smoked the shoulder for about 8 hours (6 - 7 hours of smoke) and the chicken for 4 hours (4 hours of smoke).   Temp was set to 220F

The chicken was excellent.  Still moist and had a very nice flavor.   The shoulder though was really disappointing.   The meat was quite tough....I am guessing that the quality of the meat could be the issue - this was one of those roasts that's wrapped up in the net.  Usually when I do a butt or shoulder I will buy the whole piece - but in the package it looked allright.   When I've cooked a shoulder / butt in the oven low and slow its usually falling apart.

Yesterday I did 3 sides of rainbow trout that I had put into a quick cure the night before.  The cure was 60/40 ratio of brown sugar to kosher salt with a teaspoon of garlic powder, onion powder and dried tarragon added.   This I smoked for about 2 hours 15 minutes with Apple bisquettes.    Excellent results.    Amazing taste and texture!

I can't wait to explore the site and learn more tips & tricks for my new favorite toy - the OBS.

Dave

[classicrockgriller]

Welcome calis72!

Sounds like at only 8 hrs of cooking the shoulder wasn't quite to the pulling state.

You will have to adjust your thinking about time and cook more to IT.

For pulled pork shoulder roast you are looking more at 16 to 20 hrs at 225*

Most people like to take the shoulder out of the smoker when it reaches at or near the 190* IT mark.

[oakville smoker]

Welcome aboard Calis, great deal.  I could only wish my deal was as good as that
I am in the Oakville Ontario area

Take CRGs advise.  Butts and briskets needs lots of cook time.  You dont need hours and hours of smoke either.
I usually find 2 1/2 to 3 for butts and briskets is more than enough.  I usually do the last 8 hours or so of a butt in
a crock pot on low.

[FLBentRider]

W E L C O M E  to the Forum calis72!

I'm with CRG. That shoulder wasn't even half done. It may have been cooked to a safe temp, but that is not a tender temp for a shoulder.

Make sure you have the vent at least 1/4 open. Full open for high moisture foods like poultry.

[calis72]

Thanks for the feedback.  I never imagined it would take that many hours.

Now, to speed things up could I precook it for a few hours in the oven and then finish it in the smoker with lots of smoke?  say 2 or 3 hours at 325 - 350 and then 4 - 6 hours of smoke?

[FLBentRider]

Thanks for the feedback.  I never imagined it would take that many hours.

Now, to speed things up could I precook it for a few hours in the oven and then finish it in the smoker with lots of smoke?  say 2 or 3 hours at 325 - 350 and then 4 - 6 hours of smoke?

If you want, smoke it four to six hours then into the oven. I wouldn't do that high a temp. Low and Slow is the Way to Go. 250-275F is the max I would go.

[calis72]

Hey, another question.    How are these units with rain?  Do I have to avoid smoking when there is a chance of rain or will these hold up to a light rain?

Any other tips/tricks?

[classicrockgriller]

You will need a cover over the bisquettes and the electrical smoke gen box.

The bisquettes will swell and not work possibilty and you know about elec and water ....

Not a good thing!

[OU812]

Welcome to the funcalis72