BBQ Smokers

[JRobyn]

I had a Big Green Egg for over 20 years and used it a lot until it started to develop a bunch of small hairline cracks in the base of the outer shell. I was worried that it would just crumble on me one day, and BGE had NO interest in selling any repair parts (!!$$$$!!) so I gave it to my BIL:ashamed:.

After BGE was so kind, I thought I'd try one of the "other" egg makers and settled on the "Vision" grill. Very similar to the BGE. I really like the well-sealed door to insert an electric charcoal starter and was maybe 30% less than the BGE. Seems to be very good build quality and warranty. Haven't used it a lot yet due to some health issues, but did do this little example about a year ago:



- Jay

 

[M5farms]

I bought a chargrill Akorn grill this year and it cooks like a BGE . I love it and it didn't break the bank buying it. I highly recommend it if you ever wanted a versatile grill/smoker.

 

[sseelhoff]

We need to organize the TBN Barbeque Invitational and Holiday Hootenanny.

Gentlemen, start your smokers....

 

[2LaneCruzer]

We need to organize the TBN Barbeque Invitational and Holiday Hootenanny.

Gentlemen, start your smokers....

For the past 5 years we have hosted a Baby Back Ribfest the last week of June for our car club. I have a few musician friends; we set up on the deck, play Country music, drink beer, eat ribs and chicken and have a good time. They all drive their classic cars and we park them in the back yard. Grand finale is usually a flame throwing contest. Pretty at night, but a bit hard on the Bermuda. Lot of fun, but a lot of work.

 

[bigballer]

I am picking up a Green Mountain Grill Daniel Doone pellet smoker. I also have a GSM propane smoker and a Big Chief electric for smoking salmon. once I get my GMG I suspect the others will see little use.. may even give up my Weber Genesis..

 

[IslandTractor]

Gentlemen, I have never used a smoker before but just picked up a new Masterbuilt electric model, new unused via Craigslist (I love bargains). I have confirmed that it works and did the prescribed "seasoning" of the smoker. Here is my question: Do I dare make a Thanksgiving turkey (maybe 15lbs or so) my FIRST smoking attempt? I've watched a bunch of videos and frankly it seems pretty idiot proof. Any words of wisdom? (or links to a good recipe for smoked turkey)

I have to add that I still have strong childhood memories of smoked turkey from a roadside smoke house in Florida in 1963. I'd love to recreate that or come even halfway close.

 

[mark02tj]

I'm hoping to get a "real smoker" sometime soon. Right now I use my LP grill. It's a big 5 burner job. I'll do ribs by lighting just one burner on the end and putting a chip box on it. I will smoke them for 4-6 hours, keeping the temp somewhere around 225. I usually do this when we have company over. The problem is that people start inviting themselves back over for ribs once they've had them. LOL!

Obviously the meat makes a difference. I buy all of my ribs at a local butcher/meat shop. Locally owned for 40 or 50 years. I'll still buy hamburger and stuff like that at the supermarket, but once I bought my first rack of ribs at the butcher shop I never went back to Krogers for ribs!!

 

[sseelhoff]

Gentlemen, I have never used a smoker before but just picked up a new Masterbuilt electric model, new unused via Craigslist (I love bargains). I have confirmed that it works and did the prescribed "seasoning" of the smoker. Here is my question: Do I dare make a Thanksgiving turkey (maybe 15lbs or so) my FIRST smoking attempt? I've watched a bunch of videos and frankly it seems pretty idiot proof. Any words of wisdom? (or links to a good recipe for smoked turkey)

I have to add that I still have strong childhood memories of smoked turkey from a roadside smoke house in Florida in 1963. I'd love to recreate that or come even halfway close.

IT-it really is idiotproof with the Masterbuilt. Don't know what model you have, but it really is darn near impossible to mess up.

If you need a good resource for recipes, here is a good site:

Dadgum That's Good Recipes

Dadgum site recommends 30 minutes per pound at 225* or 18 minutes per pound at 275.

I also have Robb Walsh's book Legends of Texas Barbeque. It's a great book, and has lots of history, stories and recipes. (I also have his Tex-Mex book as well.)

When I smoke a turkey, I use water, white wine, lemon and rosemary in the water pan. I smoke with hickory or applewood pellets. Mesquite is a bit strong for poultry. Walsh recommends (for a 12-13 pound bird, two hours breast side down at 275-300, then flip (breast up), baste with Italian Dressing, and cook for another two hours. After 4 hours, start checking the temp until it hits 160.

I tend to cool low and slow on the smoker, so I would go with 225*. The lower the temp, the less it dries out, and the more smokiness it absorbs.

 

[MossRoad]

Gentlemen, I have never used a smoker before but just picked up a new Masterbuilt electric model, new unused via Craigslist (I love bargains). I have confirmed that it works and did the prescribed "seasoning" of the smoker. Here is my question: Do I dare make a Thanksgiving turkey (maybe 15lbs or so) my FIRST smoking attempt? I've watched a bunch of videos and frankly it seems pretty idiot proof. Any words of wisdom? (or links to a good recipe for smoked turkey)

I have to add that I still have strong childhood memories of smoked turkey from a roadside smoke house in Florida in 1963. I'd love to recreate that or come even halfway close.

I'd go for it, but make a backup-turkey in a cooking bag in the oven just in case.

 

[rrrkkk]

I have a Peoria Custom Cooker, I cooked 147# of shoulders last month for a club. I also have a Char Grill smoker, as well as a Bradley electric smoker. I also belong to KCBS (Kansas City BBQ Society) and am a certified judge as well as a table captain. I judge about 4 events a year. It's a way to continue the hobby. We smoke everything for Holiday meals, Prime Rib to Turkeducken.