Languish.org

General Category => Off the Record => Topic started by: Caliga on March 24, 2011, 08:23:50 AM

Title: Smoker Tips
Post by: Caliga on March 24, 2011, 08:23:50 AM
Hmmm :hmm:

I directed Princesca to buy a pork butt at the grocery because I want a break from vegetarian cooking and haven't used the smoker in a while.

But the last time I did a pork butt, I smoked it for like 8 hours and it still wasn't done, and any longer in the smoker is a bit too long IMO (I like smoked meat, but I like to be able to taste the meat also).

I was thinking maybe I could brine the pork butt, and then throw it in my slow cooker for like 6 hours, and then do the spice rub and THEN put it in the smoker for like 2 hours.

Anyone ever try to do something like this?
Title: Re: Smoker Tips
Post by: Scipio on March 24, 2011, 08:26:29 AM
You're doing it wrong.

Put the rub on the pig for at least 12 hours, preferably 24.  Smoke or cook it for about 4 hours at temps around 225.  I suspect that your smoke is not hot enough.
Title: Re: Smoker Tips
Post by: Malthus on March 24, 2011, 09:02:57 AM
I blame the fact that I'm giggling over Caliga "doing a pork butt" entirely to too much exposure to Languish.  :P
Title: Re: Smoker Tips
Post by: Caliga on March 24, 2011, 09:37:35 AM
Quote from: Malthus on March 24, 2011, 09:02:57 AM
I blame the fact that I'm giggling over Caliga "doing a pork butt" entirely to too much exposure to Languish.  :P
The bigger the cushion, the sweeter the pushin'.
Title: Re: Smoker Tips
Post by: Caliga on March 24, 2011, 09:39:07 AM
Quote from: Scipio on March 24, 2011, 08:26:29 AM
You're doing it wrong.

Put the rub on the pig for at least 12 hours, preferably 24.  Smoke or cook it for about 4 hours at temps around 225.  I suspect that your smoke is not hot enough.
I have a thermometer in the lid of the smoker but I don't know how accurate it really is.  My smoker does seem to have trouble holding a temp that high unless I feed it wood continually.... but again I'm not sure I trust the thermometer. :hmm:
Title: Re: Smoker Tips
Post by: KRonn on March 24, 2011, 10:02:26 AM
Do what I do, it's fool proof. Just buy pork already smoked from the store.    :cool:
Title: Re: Smoker Tips
Post by: Caliga on March 24, 2011, 10:21:09 AM
I enjoy making stuff myself.  Your method is more likely to result in success though, I will concede. :)
Title: Re: Smoker Tips
Post by: MadImmortalMan on March 24, 2011, 10:38:39 AM
Define "done" in this context. It sounds like Skippy is right, but what are you looking for?
Title: Re: Smoker Tips
Post by: Caliga on March 24, 2011, 10:51:15 AM
See, here's the thing, which I tried to articulate earlier but maybe not clearly.

I love smoked stuff.  Smoked meat, smoked cheese, etc.

However, I don't like stuff to taste *too* smoked.

The last time I cooked a pork butt overnight in the smoker, it tasted like mainly hickory smoke and nothing else.  It was done and I ate it, but it was too smoky for my liking.

So basically, I want to smoke the pork in my smoker (preferable to just using liquid smoke), but because I don't want an overwhelming smoke flavor, I want some way of either guaranteeing I won't get too much of that, or a method where I can start or finish it in the smoker and do the bulk of the cooking in the stove or a slow cooker.
Title: Re: Smoker Tips
Post by: KRonn on March 24, 2011, 10:58:14 AM
Quote from: Caliga on March 24, 2011, 10:21:09 AM
I enjoy making stuff myself.  Your method is more likely to result in success though, I will concede. :)
Hehe...your method is fun though. I also enjoy some cooking, learning new things. But I'm not too adventurous. 
Title: Re: Smoker Tips
Post by: MadImmortalMan on March 24, 2011, 10:58:29 AM
Cold smoking it in the smoker and then finishing in the oven is a perfectly acceptable solution.
Title: Re: Smoker Tips
Post by: Barrister on March 24, 2011, 10:58:47 AM
I'm pretty sure you'd want to smoke it first, then put it in the slow cooker.

Once the exterior is cooked it won't really accept any more smoke flavour.
Title: Re: Smoker Tips
Post by: Caliga on March 24, 2011, 11:00:39 AM
Quote from: MadImmortalMan on March 24, 2011, 10:58:29 AM
Cold smoking it in the smoker and then finishing in the oven is a perfectly acceptable solution.
Ok.  That's how my boss does his ribs.  :cool:

My only concern here is would the smoke odor linger in the oven?  I bake myself muffins for breakfast every week. :thatsgay:
Title: Re: Smoker Tips
Post by: Norgy on March 24, 2011, 02:08:20 PM
My best smoker tip is to ask for a light from the girls with the biggest boobs.
Title: Re: Smoker Tips
Post by: Caliga on March 24, 2011, 02:10:29 PM
Quote from: Norgy on March 24, 2011, 02:08:20 PM
My best smoker tip is to ask for a light from the girls with the biggest boobs.
Been there, done that. :cool:

However, I only smoke Cuban cigars now and since I haven't gotten a stash in a while, I have therefore not smoked in a while.  I have 2-3 that my dad gave me which I'm saving as a strategic reserve.  I also have some cigarillos but I don't like them as much and they're probably stale anyway.
Title: Re: Smoker Tips
Post by: Norgy on March 24, 2011, 02:25:49 PM
Real smokers smoke unfiltered Luckies.
And most of them are dead.
Title: Re: Smoker Tips
Post by: Brazen on March 24, 2011, 02:53:03 PM
Define "Lucky".
Title: Re: Smoker Tips
Post by: citizen k on March 24, 2011, 02:58:26 PM
http://www.thepauperedchef.com/2006/09/grill_week_day_.html (http://www.thepauperedchef.com/2006/09/grill_week_day_.html)

Title: Re: Smoker Tips
Post by: Caliga on March 25, 2011, 10:54:51 AM
I like the spice rub in that recipe.  I think I've used one almost exactly like that before.
Title: Re: Smoker Tips
Post by: Caliga on March 26, 2011, 09:04:43 AM
The smoking has: begun. :cool:
Title: Re: Smoker Tips
Post by: The Brain on March 26, 2011, 12:01:21 PM
Quote from: Malthus on March 24, 2011, 09:02:57 AM
I blame the fact that I'm giggling over Caliga "doing a pork butt" entirely to too much exposure to Languish.  :P

:mellow:
Title: Re: Smoker Tips
Post by: Caliga on March 26, 2011, 12:58:03 PM
It's in the oven now, sitting above a pan of water @ 225.  I've been basting it in a grill sauce I got from a country negro every 30 minutes or so.