Food Smokers

[sLcREX]

I've been MIA a while so forgive me if there's a food sub group, but who all uses smokers here? I was interested in starting to smoke some meats for some time now but I just didn't think I had the time or desire to keep track of temperatures and dedicate my day to cooking.

But after looking into them further I decided an electric smoker would be a good compromise to start learning on and it can self regulate so I don't have to worry about checking on the temperature of the smoker. So I picked up a Masterbuilt over the summer and started using it. So far I've done some spare ribs and a bunch of pork shoulders for pulled pork.

A brisket is is on my short list but I haven't quite gotten around to it just yet due to busy schedules, maybe this weekend I'll do it though. Also I would like to smoke some wings but the electric smoker is only getting up to about 275 max and I think I need 300+ degrees to really get a nice outer crisp on the wings so I'm starting to consider upgrading to a larger smoker that is charcoal and wood operated so I can really start digging into it the craft.

So anyone care to share some food pics, recipes and rubs?

 

[moab_cj5]

I've been MIA a while so forgive me if there's a food sub group, but who all uses smokers here? I was interested in starting to smoke some meats for some time now but I just didn't think I had the time or desire to keep track of temperatures and dedicate my day to cooking.

But after looking into them further I decided an electric smoker would be a good compromise to start learning on and it can self regulate so I don't have to worry about checking on the temperature of the smoker. So I picked up a Masterbuilt over the summer and started using it. So far I've done some spare ribs and a bunch of pork shoulders for pulled pork.

A brisket is is on my short list but I haven't quite gotten around to it just yet due to busy schedules, maybe this weekend I'll do it though. Also I would like to smoke some wings but the electric smoker is only getting up to about 275 max and I think I need 300+ degrees to really get a nice outer crisp on the wings so I'm starting to consider upgrading to a larger smoker that is charcoal and wood operated so I can really start digging into it the craft.

So anyone care to share some food pics, recipes and rubs?

I smoke meat quite a bit. I use a Traeger. It has always worked well for me. I don't have anything to share yet, but my favorite meat I have ever smoked is a turkey. I used the recipe from the Traeger website.

I recommend looking up the video cause I won't do it justice here, but the gist of it is:
1) Cut out the backbone so it cooks flat (and more evenly).
2) Brine the bird for 24 hours
3) Pull the bird out of the brine, and separate the skin from the meet (don't remove the skin, just create space under the skin
4) Rub soften butter, mixed with spices, under the skin on top of the meat
5) Smoke until done

It is the best freaking turkey i have ever had!

 

[Kevin B.]

I smoke sausage every now and again, but I just use my charcoal grill. I don't have a fancy-schmancy smoker.

 

[Hickey]

We picked up a cheap electric R2-D2 smoker on clearance a few years ago. It works so well, I'm hesitant to upgrade.

We also smoked a turkey 2 weeks ago with prep similar to Moab_cj5 did. Definitely the best turkey I've ever had.

We've smoked chili a couple times and produced some award-winning (redneck awards) chili.

 

[Deleted member 12904]

Imo if you want amazing smoked food but don't have the schedule to babysit a charcoal or wood smoker the pellet smokers are the way to go. Flip a switch turn a knob and walk away. I've had mine for a few years and have zero complaints. You can smoke slow and low or turn that baby up and cook wood fired pizza.

 

[Jesser04]

Traeger here. We use it quite often it has almost replaced our oven. Bacon is still one of the best things to cook on it turn it up to 450 and put it on there for 8-10 minutes best bacon ever.

 

[Tonkaman]

Imo if you want amazing smoked food but don't have the schedule to babysit a charcoal or wood smoker the pellet smokers are the way to go. Flip a switch turn a knob and walk away. I've had mine for a few years and have zero complaints. You can smoke slow and low or turn that baby up and cook wood fired pizza.
View attachment 107559

What smoker are you using?

 

[carsonc1974]

I am one of those weird guys who likes kamado's. I have a couple of Kamado Joe Big Joes, and I keep an electric smoker around to help out with cold smoking and charcuterie. I enjoy tending to my cookers, its therapeutic to me but I will add that I am hoping for a pit controller when funds allow someday.

 

[muleskinner]

I have a couple smokers. My favorite is my stumps clone I built a few years ago, light it and set the temp on my phone and the temp will hold +/= 1 deg as long as I have it running. I also have a GMG, which is like a traeger on steroids IMO. It's great for cooking, but its not really a grill and not really a smoker. For grilling I use a 22'' charcoal webber.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v155/muleskinner/Smoker/1dfde9bf.jpg

https://www.rme4x4.com/showthread.php?87384-Building-a-new-Smoker&highlight=stumps

Next spring I'll probably buy a Kamado or BGE, I've always wanted one.

 

[carsonc1974]

After my trailer build for my kamado's, i plan on building a stumps clone as well. Love the design and think its the route I want to go when if and when I start catering again.

 

[nnnnnate]

I built a drum smoker but it was a hassle to use so I let it rust out on the side of the house. I'd love something automated though because smoked meat is the best.

 

[Deleted member 12904]

What smoker are you using?

This one http://www.homedepot.com/p/Smoke-Hollow-24-in-Pellet-Grill-PS2415/206859995
I picked it up at Cal Ranch for like $300 April 2015

 

[sLcREX]

I have a couple smokers. My favorite is my stumps clone I built a few years ago, light it and set the temp on my phone and the temp will hold +/= 1 deg as long as I have it running. I also have a GMG, which is like a traeger on steroids IMO. It's great for cooking, but its not really a grill and not really a smoker. For grilling I use a 22'' charcoal webber.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v155/muleskinner/Smoker/1dfde9bf.jpg

https://www.rme4x4.com/showthread.php?87384-Building-a-new-Smoker&highlight=stumps

Next spring I'll probably buy a Kamado or BGE, I've always wanted one.

That is a tank of a smoker. Very nicely done. How often do you use it?

I built a drum smoker but it was a hassle to use so I let it rust out on the side of the house. I'd love something automated though because smoked meat is the best.

This was an idea for me as well, I wanted to build one out of a drum barrel but then what if I don't use it that often? It would probably sit around more often than not.

I think for Saturday I will go ahead and try doing a brisket and see how it turns out. Anytime I see brisket photos, my mouth waters.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

We have a Masterbuilt that works okay for the price, done a few turkeys and lots of pork, but at some point we will have a Traeger pellet smoker.

 

[carsonc1974]

That is a tank of a smoker. Very nicely done. How often do you use it?



This was an idea for me as well, I wanted to build one out of a drum barrel but then what if I don't use it that often? It would probably sit around more often than not.

I think for Saturday I will go ahead and try doing a brisket and see how it turns out. Anytime I see brisket photos, my mouth waters.

They best advice I can give for brisket, is start with a quality piece of meat. It is hard to beat costco's prime grade full packers. I hate to let out my secret, But last time I bought a few from there, they were only $2.70/lb.

 

[airmanwilliams]

I have a masterbuilt 30 and love it but now that the door is cracking they say a new door is around $60+shipping so ill be saving up for a pit boss pellet smoker. I have mainly done spare ribs, country cut ribs, chicken, salsa, and jalapeno relish.

If you want a good place to go for tips and such and youre on facebook check out the Wasatch Back Bbq page.

 

[airmanwilliams]

Should be done with my trailer smoker this next month. Just need to weld strap over the fire box door, put in the two vents that Carl cut for me, and put some high temp 1200 deg paint inside.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

Should be done with my trailer smoker this next month. Just need to weld strap over the fire box door, put in the two vents that Carl cut for me, and put some high temp 1200 deg paint inside.

I would skip painting the inside, the oils from the meat will be more than enough to coat the bare metal.

 

[carsonc1974]

I second the no paint. If you feel like you have to do something, I would just smear a very very thin coat of veggie oil or something

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[airmanwilliams]

I second the no paint. If you feel like you have to do something, I would just smear a very very thin coat of veggie oil or something

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I do have 5 gallons of bacon grease in my basement haha