Hola,
After much research and reading on this forum, I purchased an OBS from Canadian Tire (which just happened to be on sale for 30% off). At the same time, placed an order for an Auber Dual Probe PID but I didn't wait to get started as it was going to take a week or so to arrive.
Temporary spot outside:
Printed out a recipe for Smoked Leg of Lamb from the Bradley website, ended up with a 4lb boneless NZ leg of lamb (bone in were from Ontario).
I conditioned the unit (as per directions on this site), prepared the rub and let it sit overnight in the fridge. Using special blend, I smoked for 4 hours with smoke on the whole time (I was ok with this, but my wife felt it was over smoked). Used our oven portable thermometer which worked just fine.
Here's the result:
Since this was pretty quick, I didn't run into many temperature problems (this happened later on).
Next up, Brisket (I just couldn't wait to try). Prepared generic rub from the downloaded recipe book, unpackaged then cut in half and covered in Rub and let sit for 2 days turning whenever I remembered.
Still Cryovac'd with Rub prepared (banana's are just hanging around):
Cut in two and rub applied, ready to be covered and put in fridge:
When I mentioned to the butcher about aging, he informed me that the beef was already aged for 3 weeks. Next, I mentioned I was worried about it drying out, so he cut me pork rind to wrap the brisket pieces while cooking (used Mesquite pucks for 50% of cooking time):
It appears that the maximum heat I can get my unit up to is about 190o-200o, which was ok for this brisket but a problem later on when I tried chicken (had to finish in the oven).
So I cooked the brisket overnight and had a heck of a time keeping the temperature within range. Finally after 8 hours outside I brought them in and finished in the oven at 225o for another 5 hours (apple cider in pan to keep from drying out in the oven):
Once out of the oven I wrapped in foil, then in towels and stored in a heated cooler (which now smells like brisket). Final product came out fantastic and was a huge weekend hit:
Conclusion & Thoughts:
Dual Probe PID came in during this process and I'll see if it makes a difference (heat wise).
I need a second element for sure and most likely a fan to move the heat around. Also a good stand with the unit bolted down so it doesn't go all "Wizard of Oz" on me (it's pretty light).
I'll read up on the fan mod & element mod on the site, any suggestions are most welcomed.
