Set up, seasoned and ready to smoke some meat

Scott45044 · May 30, 2014, 04:36:06 AM

Received my new BS611 from Amazon yesterday. Packaged very well and arrived with no dings or dents! Assembled in no time and put an hour of smoke on her @ 150 deg F to season per the manual. Will be smoking an 8lb pork shoulder on Sunday as my initial smoke. I may throw some bacon wrapped chicken legs in with it.

NorthShoreMN · May 30, 2014, 05:03:41 AM

Plan on plenty of time for the smoke, shoulders can take a long time.
Take pictures!!

Scott45044 · May 30, 2014, 05:08:50 AM

I am planning on 1.5 to 2 hrs per pound?? Sound about right? What would you suggest for amount of smoke? about 4 hrs?

tailfeathers · May 30, 2014, 08:42:06 AM

Scott, first let me say welcome from South Dakota! As to your question, I would allow all of 2 hrs/lb for your butt. I like to tell people that you can't start to early, just don't start to late! You have a very wide time window if you use the FTC method. In case you are unaware, that is foil, towel, cooler. When your butt passes the fork test (insert fork and twist, if it turns easily its done) remove it from the smoker, seal in foil. Then wrap the foiled meat in an old bath towel and place it into the smallest available cooler that will hold it. Put a few layers of newspaper on top and close the cooler. The meat will stay hot for a LONG time that way. You may find that even after 4 hours it is still to hot to handle comfortably with bare hands. When you are ready, remove from FTC, pull your pork and chow down. In fact I most often do my cook in advance, FTC and pull my pork then refrigerate it, reheat in a crock pot when ready to eat. Lots of methods and no real right or wrong way, mostly a matter of personal preference and what works for YOU. As for how long to apply smoke, again its a matter of taste but I would say that 4 hours is the best starting point. You can then adjust for more or less smoke when you do your next cook based on whether you think the smoke flavor was to weak, to strong or just right. Take a few notes as you go along, it makes it easier to adjust anything you think you want to tweak the next time. Have fun and good luck!
TF
(Paul)

NorthShoreMN · May 30, 2014, 05:17:07 PM

Sorry I didn't get back with a reply earlier but Tailfeathers covered it very well.
Many leave their vents open all the way. Try to keep unit out of wind.

tailfeathers · May 30, 2014, 09:11:31 PM

My vent is full open ALL the time no matter what's in the smoker.

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Scott45044 · May 31, 2014, 05:04:01 AM

Here it is 12 hours in.

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TedEbear · May 31, 2014, 07:12:05 AM

Looking good so far. What's the current IT?

Scott45044 · May 31, 2014, 07:54:48 AM

Was 156 when I took the pic. Up to 174 now

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WoodlawnSmoker · May 31, 2014, 01:57:52 PM

This is looking spectacular so far. Can't wait to see the finished photos!

Scott45044 · May 31, 2014, 07:04:41 PM

18 hours total cook time. Took it out when IT was 195 deg F. Turned out awesome. Everyone loved it.

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Scott45044 · May 31, 2014, 07:19:45 PM

More pictures of the final product.

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tailfeathers · May 31, 2014, 07:30:46 PM

Nice job, looks good. Your on your way!!!

Saber 4 · May 31, 2014, 07:59:23 PM

Great job.

JimRhino · May 31, 2014, 08:26:57 PM

Looks awesome! Good job! :D