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Barbecue (alt.food.barbecue) Discuss barbecue and grilling--southern style "low and slow" smoking of ribs, shoulders and briskets, as well as direct heat grilling of everything from burgers to salmon to vegetables. |
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Thinking about a smoker
Years ago, I became enamored of smoked meats, such as butt, sausage,
brisket and ribs. I certainly am not of a competitive quality cook, but do OK by my own standards and have noticed that friends and family don't make excuses when I invite them over for supper. Over the years, I've built or bought many different smokers, from the R2D2-type up through a very heavy steel one I welded up myself. I've cooked over briquettes, lump and gas and have smoked with as many woods as I could lay my hands on. Now, however, I've gone from living out in the boondocks, where I could stack wood, and toss ashes to my heart's content to living in the city, on a tiny lot that's mostly pool, spa and palms. From a practical standpoint, I'm out of the real smoking end of cooking and relegated to a gas grill, dampened chips in foil or a tray, and some really serious char/rare cooking on a separate grill I built. When I used to have plenty of time to tend the smoker, nowadays I'm at the mercy of schedules and have some responsibilities I've not had in the past. Without further explanation, I simply cannot do a decent job smoking ribs or a butt overnight or all day. It's sad, but life is full of transitions and the smart person will adapt. Now, here's my question for this group: What experiences have you had with an electric fed and temperature regulated smoker, such as sold by Bass Pro Shops? http://tinyurl.com/yepbba From what I've seen and heard, it's a pretty decent compromise for a person in my position. Now that we're older and the kids are gone, my smoking is primarily for the wife and me, with occasional bigger batches for visitors. I want something I can "charge up," and forget while I tend to the new, other, things in my life. From what I've seen, the temperature inside the smoker is regulated by a digital thermostat and there's a second heating element that fires off the wood or charcoal to provide the smoke. On my limited real estate, I'd place the smoker on a concrete pad beside my gas grill/ infrared cooker, so it'd be right by a 120v GFCI outlet. The released smoke would be minimal and probably would not irritate my neighbors too much. Looking back over the years, one thing I've not done personally is sausage. I have a meat grinder on order and plan to play around making some smoked sausage. Please, remember that I appreciate the difference between a butt cooked in a masonry smoker over pre-burned wood and what's produced on a gas grill. I'm looking for something reliable that would produce an acceptable smoked rack of ribs or butt, without a lot of intervention and hassle. Any thoughts? -- ---Nonnymus--- In the periodic table, as in politics, the unstable elements tend to hang out on the far left, with some to the right as well. |
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Thinking about a smoker
I've never used a Bradley smoker, but I've had a good sampling of smoked
meats cooked by a friend who owns one. It'll do as good a job as any other smoker, imo, and seems to be flexible for other uses like cold smoking and drying. The main drawback for some seems to be the cost of the pressed wood discs, with the fact that it's an "appliance" vs. a "real" cooker tossed in for good measure. Unless you want to buy one locally, I would shop around on the web for a dealer. They all seem to charge pretty close to the same price for the basic unit, but some offer package deals, free shipping, discounts on refill smoke discs, etc. I even saw one in a Williams-Sonoma catalog recently, so you know they've "arrived". Bob ========================== In article >, says... > Now, here's my question for this group: What experiences have you had > with an electric fed and temperature regulated smoker, such as sold by > Bass Pro Shops? > |
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Thinking about a smoker
Nonnymus wrote:
> Now, here's my question for this group: What experiences have you had > with an electric fed and temperature regulated smoker, such as sold by > Bass Pro Shops? http://tinyurl.com/yepbba From what I've seen and > heard, it's a pretty decent compromise for a person in my position. Now > that we're older and the kids are gone, my smoking is primarily for the > wife and me, with occasional bigger batches for visitors. I want > something I can "charge up," and forget while I tend to the new, other, > things in my life. From what I've seen, the temperature inside the > smoker is regulated by a digital thermostat and there's a second heating > element that fires off the wood or charcoal to provide the smoke. On my > limited real estate, I'd place the smoker on a concrete pad beside my > gas grill/ infrared cooker, so it'd be right by a 120v GFCI outlet. The > released smoke would be minimal and probably would not irritate my > neighbors too much. > Did you know that you have to buy the smoking wood from Bradley? You can't use your own wood, and there's not even a 2nd manufacturing source. If Bradley raises the price, you have to pay it. If they go under and stop making them, no more smoking with the Bradley. It becomes a holding oven. (Anticipating the question: "Can I make the proprietary wood things myself?", the answer is, I'd bet a million you couldn't) Some math is in order. The proprietary wood things you have to buy from them cost $1 per hour of smoke time. 10 hours of smoking per week = 10 bucks per week = $520 per year to run it. That's more than the cost of the unit itself out of pocket, every year, forever. I run my smoker(s) at least 20 hours per week, so that's a conservative estimate. That said, I do own and use one. It's not the best for hot smoking, pretty lousy actually, but it's unrivaled for convenient cold smoking. There isn't a cheaper, more reliable cold smoker available. Set it, forget it, and come back in 8 hours to a finished product (with minor mods you can get it up to 8 hours or even higher). For a more versatile and durable smoker in this category, which I would classify as "insulated electric oven type smokers", check out cookshack. It's a much, much better built product, and you can use any wood you want. I own one of these also. <http://www.cookshack.com/index.php?pr=Home_Smokers> You really do want a well insulated unit, too. It's worth the cost. You're right about the fact that they put out minimal amounts of smoke. I call em "stealth smokers" and recommend them to people who need to smoke unobtrusively because of neighbors, homeowners association rules, etc. > Looking back over the years, one thing I've not done personally is > sausage. I have a meat grinder on order and plan to play around making > some smoked sausage. The insulated electric oven smokers have a downside here. They tend to have lower total airflow, which equates to a higher humidity in the chamber. When smoking sausage, which I do a lot of, I solve this by leaving the door open for part of the cook. -- Reg |
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Thinking about a smoker
Reg wrote:
> For a more versatile and durable smoker in this category, > which I would classify as "insulated electric oven type > smokers", check out cookshack. It's a much, much better > built product, and you can use any wood you want. I own > one of these also. > > <http://www.cookshack.com/index.php?pr=Home_Smokers> > > You really do want a well insulated unit, too. It's > worth the cost. The only part you can burn yourself on a cookshack is the top vent. The rest of it just feels "warmish" and is actually hotter if it's sitting in the sun than after 9 hours of smoking. > You're right about the fact that they put out minimal > amounts of smoke. I call em "stealth smokers" and > recommend them to people who need to smoke unobtrusively > because of neighbors, homeowners association rules, etc. Or if you just don't have the safe space for a larger unit. Even with a large load of wood my cookshack only produces a stream of smoke that is quickly dissipated. > The insulated electric oven smokers have a downside > here. They tend to have lower total airflow, which equates > to a higher humidity in the chamber. When smoking sausage, > which I do a lot of, I solve this by leaving the door open > for part of the cook. Didn't think of that. Then again I smoke mainly ribs. I'll add one more thing. If you have arthritis or are "getting older" latching and unlatching the cookshack can be difficult. I'd probably weld a larger handle to it. -- DougW |
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Thinking about a smoker
DougW wrote:
> Reg wrote: > >>The insulated electric oven smokers have a downside >>here. They tend to have lower total airflow, which equates >>to a higher humidity in the chamber. When smoking sausage, >>which I do a lot of, I solve this by leaving the door open >>for part of the cook. > > > Didn't think of that. Then again I smoke mainly ribs. With the Cookshack (and many similar units in this class such as SmokinTex) this problem is complicated by the fact that the airflow is also 100% fixed. No adjustable vents. Not a showstopper of a problem but prospective buyers should be aware of this. > I'll add one more thing. If you have arthritis or are > "getting older" latching and unlatching the cookshack can be > difficult. I'd probably weld a larger handle to it. > We're moving beyond "Lazy-q" into "Ultra-lazy-q" here, I think -- Reg |
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Thinking about a smoker
Reg wrote:
> > Nonnymus wrote: > > > Now, here's my question for this group: What experiences have you had > > with an electric fed and temperature regulated smoker, such as sold by > > Bass Pro Shops? http://tinyurl.com/yepbba From what I've seen and > > heard, it's a pretty decent compromise for a person in my position. Now > > that we're older and the kids are gone, my smoking is primarily for the > > wife and me, with occasional bigger batches for visitors. I want > > something I can "charge up," and forget while I tend to the new, other, > > things in my life. From what I've seen, the temperature inside the > > smoker is regulated by a digital thermostat and there's a second heating > > element that fires off the wood or charcoal to provide the smoke. On my > > limited real estate, I'd place the smoker on a concrete pad beside my > > gas grill/ infrared cooker, so it'd be right by a 120v GFCI outlet. The > > released smoke would be minimal and probably would not irritate my > > neighbors too much. > > > > Did you know that you have to buy the smoking wood from > Bradley? You can't use your own wood, and there's not > even a 2nd manufacturing source. If Bradley raises > the price, you have to pay it. If they go under and > stop making them, no more smoking with the Bradley. > It becomes a holding oven. > > (Anticipating the question: "Can I make the proprietary > wood things myself?", the answer is, I'd bet a million > you couldn't) > > Some math is in order. > > The proprietary wood things you have to buy from them > cost $1 per hour of smoke time. 10 hours of smoking > per week = 10 bucks per week = $520 per year to run > it. That's more than the cost of the unit itself out > of pocket, every year, forever. I run my smoker(s) > at least 20 hours per week, so that's a conservative > estimate. > > That said, I do own and use one. It's not the best for hot > smoking, pretty lousy actually, but it's unrivaled for > convenient cold smoking. There isn't a cheaper, more > reliable cold smoker available. Set it, forget it, and > come back in 8 hours to a finished product (with minor > mods you can get it up to 8 hours or even higher). > > For a more versatile and durable smoker in this category, > which I would classify as "insulated electric oven type > smokers", check out cookshack. It's a much, much better > built product, and you can use any wood you want. I own > one of these also. > > <http://www.cookshack.com/index.php?pr=Home_Smokers> > > You really do want a well insulated unit, too. It's > worth the cost. > > You're right about the fact that they put out minimal > amounts of smoke. I call em "stealth smokers" and > recommend them to people who need to smoke unobtrusively > because of neighbors, homeowners association rules, etc. > > > Looking back over the years, one thing I've not done personally is > > sausage. I have a meat grinder on order and plan to play around making > > some smoked sausage. > > The insulated electric oven smokers have a downside > here. They tend to have lower total airflow, which equates > to a higher humidity in the chamber. When smoking sausage, > which I do a lot of, I solve this by leaving the door open > for part of the cook. > > -- > Reg While I'm pretty sure I could make my own wood pucks for the Bradly smoker (I've got a well equipped shop and a 20 ton press), the Cookshack smokers do an excellent job. My favorite Jamaican restaurant had a large commercial sized Cookshack and turned out fantastic jerk pork. I was just about drooling every time I walked in the door it smelled so good. Pete C. |
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Thinking about a smoker
Pete,
Any notes on how they did the jerk? I'm a huge fan of jerk foods and wonder if they do a standard smoke or something different with ribs/butts. Evan "Pete C." > wrote in message ... > Reg wrote: >> >> Nonnymus wrote: >> >> > Now, here's my question for this group: What experiences have you had >> > with an electric fed and temperature regulated smoker, such as sold by >> > Bass Pro Shops? http://tinyurl.com/yepbba From what I've seen and >> > heard, it's a pretty decent compromise for a person in my position. >> > Now >> > that we're older and the kids are gone, my smoking is primarily for the >> > wife and me, with occasional bigger batches for visitors. I want >> > something I can "charge up," and forget while I tend to the new, other, >> > things in my life. From what I've seen, the temperature inside the >> > smoker is regulated by a digital thermostat and there's a second >> > heating >> > element that fires off the wood or charcoal to provide the smoke. On >> > my >> > limited real estate, I'd place the smoker on a concrete pad beside my >> > gas grill/ infrared cooker, so it'd be right by a 120v GFCI outlet. >> > The >> > released smoke would be minimal and probably would not irritate my >> > neighbors too much. >> > >> >> Did you know that you have to buy the smoking wood from >> Bradley? You can't use your own wood, and there's not >> even a 2nd manufacturing source. If Bradley raises >> the price, you have to pay it. If they go under and >> stop making them, no more smoking with the Bradley. >> It becomes a holding oven. >> >> (Anticipating the question: "Can I make the proprietary >> wood things myself?", the answer is, I'd bet a million >> you couldn't) >> >> Some math is in order. >> >> The proprietary wood things you have to buy from them >> cost $1 per hour of smoke time. 10 hours of smoking >> per week = 10 bucks per week = $520 per year to run >> it. That's more than the cost of the unit itself out >> of pocket, every year, forever. I run my smoker(s) >> at least 20 hours per week, so that's a conservative >> estimate. >> >> That said, I do own and use one. It's not the best for hot >> smoking, pretty lousy actually, but it's unrivaled for >> convenient cold smoking. There isn't a cheaper, more >> reliable cold smoker available. Set it, forget it, and >> come back in 8 hours to a finished product (with minor >> mods you can get it up to 8 hours or even higher). >> >> For a more versatile and durable smoker in this category, >> which I would classify as "insulated electric oven type >> smokers", check out cookshack. It's a much, much better >> built product, and you can use any wood you want. I own >> one of these also. >> >> <http://www.cookshack.com/index.php?pr=Home_Smokers> >> >> You really do want a well insulated unit, too. It's >> worth the cost. >> >> You're right about the fact that they put out minimal >> amounts of smoke. I call em "stealth smokers" and >> recommend them to people who need to smoke unobtrusively >> because of neighbors, homeowners association rules, etc. >> >> > Looking back over the years, one thing I've not done personally is >> > sausage. I have a meat grinder on order and plan to play around making >> > some smoked sausage. >> >> The insulated electric oven smokers have a downside >> here. They tend to have lower total airflow, which equates >> to a higher humidity in the chamber. When smoking sausage, >> which I do a lot of, I solve this by leaving the door open >> for part of the cook. >> >> -- >> Reg > > While I'm pretty sure I could make my own wood pucks for the Bradly > smoker (I've got a well equipped shop and a 20 ton press), the Cookshack > smokers do an excellent job. My favorite Jamaican restaurant had a large > commercial sized Cookshack and turned out fantastic jerk pork. I was > just about drooling every time I walked in the door it smelled so good. > > Pete C. |
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Thinking about a smoker
evan wrote:
> > Pete, > > Any notes on how they did the jerk? I'm a huge fan of jerk foods and wonder > if they do a standard smoke or something different with ribs/butts. > I couldn't tell you exactly what they did, but they sure did it right. The "real" jerk should be smoked with pimento (allspice) wood, but that seems to be impossible to get in the US. Perhaps they smuggled it or perhaps they used a blend of woods to approximate it. Pete C. |
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Thinking about a smoker
Pete C. wrote:
> While I'm pretty sure I could make my own wood pucks for the Bradly > smoker (I've got a well equipped shop and a 20 ton press), I've seen some of your more detailed posts and I'm quite sure you have skills in this area that I could only wish for. You might be able to do it. However, I can say from experience that there are nuances to the biscuit design and fabrication that makes duplicating them a challenge. Parameters a - Dimensions - Weight - Burning characteristics, effected by type of wood, particle size, degree of compression The first two are critical because the feeder mechanism is extremely intolerant of any variance. It jams easily, especially when a higher number of wood biscuits are stacked up in the hopper. And, using many biscuits at once is an important part of the entire package. More biscuits means longer unattended smoking time. The last one is important because, among other things, the heating element is surprisingly low power. The wood is comprised of compressed particles designed to smoke at just about 500 F at a very a small point of contact. Even the way the ashes form up will eventually effect the feeder. On the other side of the spectrum, they can't heat too much or they'll catch fire. I used to have two of the smoke generators but one eventually failed. If it was still working I'd send it to you in the hopes that you could figure out how to pull this off. Success would definitely make you popular in the Bradley world! > the Cookshack > smokers do an excellent job. My favorite Jamaican restaurant had a large > commercial sized Cookshack and turned out fantastic jerk pork. I was > just about drooling every time I walked in the door it smelled so good. Indeed. They're extremely popular with restaurants and caterers. Many a roadside joint has one running out back. -- Reg |
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Thinking about a smoker
On Tue, 28 Nov 2006 09:44:40 -0800, Nonnymus >
wrote: >Years ago, I became enamored of smoked meats, such as butt, sausage, >brisket and ribs. >Please, remember that I appreciate the difference between a butt cooked >in a masonry smoker over pre-burned wood and what's produced on a gas >grill. I'm looking for something reliable that would produce an >acceptable smoked rack of ribs or butt, without a lot of intervention >and hassle. Any thoughts? A friend of mine who lives in a Seattle townhouse with a pretty small are in the back of it. got a Bradley smoker, and just loves it. Harry |
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Thinking about a smoker
Harry, and all who replied: Today, I ordered the powder coated digital
4 shelf. It should arrive in a week or so. I literally hit 7 places in 'Vegas' looking for the digital 4-shelf and struck out. My plan is to add casters to it and keep it out back, covered, and wheel it near the house when needed. I'll report on the grand experiment as things progress. Thanks to all. Nonny Harry Demidavicius wrote: > On Tue, 28 Nov 2006 09:44:40 -0800, Nonnymus > > wrote: > >> Years ago, I became enamored of smoked meats, such as butt, sausage, >> brisket and ribs. >> Please, remember that I appreciate the difference between a butt cooked >> in a masonry smoker over pre-burned wood and what's produced on a gas >> grill. I'm looking for something reliable that would produce an >> acceptable smoked rack of ribs or butt, without a lot of intervention >> and hassle. Any thoughts? > A friend of mine who lives in a Seattle townhouse with a pretty small > are in the back of it. got a Bradley smoker, and just loves it. > Harry -- ---Nonnymus--- In the periodic table, as in politics, the unstable elements tend to hang out on the far left, with some to the right as well. |
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Thinking about a smoker
"Nonnymus" > wrote in message ... > Harry, and all who replied: Today, I ordered the powder coated digital 4 > shelf. It should arrive in a week or so. I literally hit 7 places in > 'Vegas' looking for the digital 4-shelf and struck out. My plan is to add > casters to it and keep it out back, covered, and wheel it near the house > when needed. I'll report on the grand experiment as things progress. > Thanks to all. Sorry I didn't get to reply sooner... I'd have told you to go to Walmart, pick up the Great Outdoors Smokey Mountain gas smoker for usually $99. It doesn't have a thermostat but if you want that, I have the instructions(or can get them) for mods you can make to it to have it thermostatically controlled. Involves a little bit of work, but with what you did with the IR, I'm sure you'd do great with it. Even without the thermo control though, it's basically a set it and forget it type deal. > > Nonny > > Harry Demidavicius wrote: >> On Tue, 28 Nov 2006 09:44:40 -0800, Nonnymus > >> wrote: >> >>> Years ago, I became enamored of smoked meats, such as butt, sausage, >>> brisket and ribs. Please, remember that I appreciate the difference >>> between a butt cooked in a masonry smoker over pre-burned wood and >>> what's produced on a gas grill. I'm looking for something reliable that >>> would produce an acceptable smoked rack of ribs or butt, without a lot >>> of intervention and hassle. Any thoughts? >> A friend of mine who lives in a Seattle townhouse with a pretty small >> are in the back of it. got a Bradley smoker, and just loves it. >> Harry > > -- > ---Nonnymus--- > In the periodic table, as in politics, > the unstable elements tend to hang out on > the far left, with some to the right as well. |
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Thinking about a smoker
Good luck with your new smoker! If I may ask, where did you end up
buying it? Also, if you get a chance, I'd be interested in hearing about any advantages to having the digital model vs. the original one; e.g., does it monitor food temp as well as oven temp; is there a timer function; etc.? Bob ============================== In article >, says... > > Harry, and all who replied: Today, I ordered the powder coated digital > 4 shelf. It should arrive in a week or so. I literally hit 7 places in > 'Vegas' looking for the digital 4-shelf and struck out. My plan is to > add casters to it and keep it out back, covered, and wheel it near the > house when needed. I'll report on the grand experiment as things > progress. Thanks to all. > > Nonny > |
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Thinking about a smoker
43fan wrote: > "Nonnymus" > wrote in message > ... >> Harry, and all who replied: Today, I ordered the powder coated digital 4 >> shelf. It should arrive in a week or so. I literally hit 7 places in >> 'Vegas' looking for the digital 4-shelf and struck out. My plan is to add >> casters to it and keep it out back, covered, and wheel it near the house >> when needed. I'll report on the grand experiment as things progress. >> Thanks to all. > > Sorry I didn't get to reply sooner... I'd have told you to go to Walmart, > pick up the Great Outdoors Smokey Mountain gas smoker for usually $99. It > doesn't have a thermostat but if you want that, I have the instructions(or > can get them) for mods you can make to it to have it thermostatically > controlled. Involves a little bit of work, but with what you did with the > IR, I'm sure you'd do great with it. Even without the thermo control > though, it's basically a set it and forget it type deal. > > >> Nonny >> I'll just bite the bullet and go with the electric one. To my simple way of thinking, electric or gas both provide the heat to burn the wood and heat the "oven." However, it's so simple with electric, vs.say, using a water heater micropilot/burner/valve to do the same thing. I do have natural gas at the grills, but my current thought is to slap on some casters to the Bradley, keep it out by the pool, and wheel it to the picnic table when using it. At 44 or so pounds, it'd be easy to pick up and put at eye level on the picnic table when in use. I looked at several types of smokers when doing a little homework, and the electric ones won out for simplicity. Another thing that really appealed to me was that the Bradley lets you separate smoke generation from cooking, since they use separate elements. Time will tell, and if I don't like it, I'll sell it and go back to a better known smoker. The best part is torturing my neighbor. He's also my best friend, and most folks outside of my family would say he's the better cook. He grew up the son of a fellow who owned a small town meat market, and cooking is his hobby and main pleasure. His father smoked his own meats for the butcher shop, so the guy knows his business inside and out. Like me, however, time, age and demands from other things have prevented him from going beyond his present gas grill and deep fat fryer. He really cranks out some mighty fine ribs, smoking them for hours with wood chips in foil. The results vary, but when he has the time and patience to make an afternoon of it, the results would have you licking your elbows. When I built my IR grill, he was looking over my shoulder continually, and was one of the folks who tasted the first results. His attitude is that since I have the IR grill over here, hooked up, and am paying for the gas, why in the heck would he want to get one for himself. He has my garage code and knows where the gate key is. <Grin> When I ordered the smoker, I told him to brace himself for a new addition to my toys, but didn't say what it was. I told him that it was comparable to bringing home a Bentley Flying Spur or a really laid out SeaRay 46'. I predict that when the smoker arrives, I will need paramedics to calm him. I can see the poor old guy, now, laying in ribs, salmon and chicken to use in my new smoker. . . even before I do. <grin> <seriously> don't know if you all share your 'Q with neighbors, but I sure as heck do- along with my other experiments. It's a darned good way to know people, and something that is appreciated. Another neighbor has two teen aged boys, and they're the kind of kids you love to have around. I took over some grilled Monkfish with Hollandaise sauce to the family a few weeks back, and the boys waylaid me and ate all the Monkfish before their folks even smelled it. -- ---Nonnymus--- In the periodic table, as in politics, the unstable elements tend to hang out on the far left, with some to the right as well. |
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Thinking about a smoker
On 30-Nov-2006, Nonnymus > wrote: > 43fan wrote: > > "Nonnymus" > wrote in message > > ... > >> Harry, and all who replied: Today, I ordered the powder coated digital > >> 4 > >> shelf. <snip> > > <seriously> don't know if you all share your 'Q with neighbors, but I > sure as heck do- along with my other experiments. It's a darned good > way to know people, and something that is appreciated. Another neighbor > has two teen aged boys, and they're the kind of kids you love to have > around. I took over some grilled Monkfish with Hollandaise sauce to the > family a few weeks back, and the boys waylaid me and ate all the > Monkfish before their folks even smelled it. > > -- > ---Nonnymus--- I've only shared a time or two with close friends and my daughter but, this saturday, I plan to carry 'Q' and beans to a block party here in the Mobile Home Park. I made a big pot of beans today and tomorrow, I'm going to smoke five racks of ribs and two picnics. If'n I don't kill any- body, I should know a bunch of people by Sunday. I'm pulling a 'Big Jim' of LazyQ. Get most everything fixed the day before and reheat the day of the event. That pretty well assures that there will be food to eat at the appointed time. It works for Big Jim, but then he's been doing it for awhile. -- Brick(Youth is wasted on young people) |
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Thinking about a smoker
Now that you have taken the plunge with a Bradley go to their forum at http://forum.bradleysmoker.com/index.php.
A very knowledgeable bunch will help you out on all aspects of smoking and curing. -- --------------------------------- --- -- - Posted with NewsLeecher v3.7 Final Web @ http://www.newsleecher.com/?usenet ------------------- ----- ---- -- - |
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Thinking about a smoker
Thanks.
Nonny pipsqueek wrote: > Now that you have taken the plunge with a Bradley go to their forum at http://forum.bradleysmoker.com/index.php. > > A very knowledgeable bunch will help you out on all aspects of smoking and curing. > > > -- > --------------------------------- --- -- - > Posted with NewsLeecher v3.7 Final > Web @ http://www.newsleecher.com/?usenet > ------------------- ----- ---- -- - > -- ---Nonnymus--- In the periodic table, as in politics, the unstable elements tend to hang out on the far left, with some to the right as well. |
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Thinking about a smoker
Reg wrote:
> > Pete C. wrote: > > > While I'm pretty sure I could make my own wood pucks for the Bradly > > smoker (I've got a well equipped shop and a 20 ton press), > > I've seen some of your more detailed posts and I'm quite > sure you have skills in this area that I could only wish > for. You might be able to do it. However, I can say from > experience that there are nuances to the biscuit design > and fabrication that makes duplicating them a challenge. > Parameters a > > - Dimensions > - Weight > - Burning characteristics, effected by type of wood, particle > size, degree of compression > > The first two are critical because the feeder mechanism > is extremely intolerant of any variance. It jams easily, > especially when a higher number of wood biscuits are > stacked up in the hopper. And, using many biscuits at once > is an important part of the entire package. More biscuits > means longer unattended smoking time. > > The last one is important because, among other things, the > heating element is surprisingly low power. The wood is > comprised of compressed particles designed to smoke at > just about 500 F at a very a small point of contact. > Even the way the ashes form up will eventually effect the > feeder. On the other side of the spectrum, they can't > heat too much or they'll catch fire. Yep, sounds like a lot of tasty experimentation. I'd probably be more likely to re-engineer the whole thing. An auger type arrangement similar to what's used in pellet stoves to feed standard wood chips and an optical sensor to monitor smoke generation and control the chip feed rate. > > I used to have two of the smoke generators but one > eventually failed. If it was still working I'd send > it to you in the hopes that you could figure out > how to pull this off. Success would definitely make > you popular in the Bradley world! What failed on it? It's probably repairable. > > > the Cookshack > > smokers do an excellent job. My favorite Jamaican restaurant had a large > > commercial sized Cookshack and turned out fantastic jerk pork. I was > > just about drooling every time I walked in the door it smelled so good. > > Indeed. They're extremely popular with restaurants > and caterers. Many a roadside joint has one running > out back. > I ended up just getting the regular char-broil offset as seen at Depot and Lowe's. It was cheap and convenient and works ok. I'll get to modifying it once the warmer weather returns. Pete C. |
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Thinking about a smoker
Something that surprises me a tad is that Bradley hasn't added a meat
thermometer probe to the digital smokers. With the meat probe, it would be terrific for setting a target internal temperature and then turning off the heat when it's reached. I might be tempted to do it with a remote reading thermometer, and use the alarm output to drive a circuit to open a relay, cutting power to the entire unit. I'm not an EE, but think I could scrounge up a transistor circuit that would do just that. -- ---Nonnymus--- In the periodic table, as in politics, the unstable elements tend to hang out on the far left, with some to the right as well. |
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Thinking about a smoker
Nonnymus wrote:
> Something that surprises me a tad is that Bradley hasn't added a meat > thermometer probe to the digital smokers. With the meat probe, it would > be terrific for setting a target internal temperature and then turning > off the heat when it's reached. I might be tempted to do it with a > remote reading thermometer, and use the alarm output to drive a circuit > to open a relay, cutting power to the entire unit. I'm not an EE, but > think I could scrounge up a transistor circuit that would do just that. I've done a version of that with several of my electric cookers. If you're going to go electric, you may as well take advantage of the technology, and that feature really is a timesaver. Bradley hasn't offered that feature because it adds significantly to the cost (there's more to it than one might think). If they were to offer it, which they may eventually be forced to out of competitive pressure, they'll probably do so as a separate product at higher cost. Cookshack did just that when they came out with their Amerique unit as a higher end version of the Smokette. AmeriQue Smoker <http://www.cookshack.com/shopping/pgm-more_information.php?id=144&=SID> -- Reg |
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Thinking about a smoker
If you enjoy the taste of smoking or grilling with Real Wood, but like the
rest of us just don't have the time or space to coupe with a traditional stick pit. Check out www.traegerindusties.com these are wood pellet cookers. We are the local stocking rep in San Antonio. We used the Big Tex grill in local competitions, placed 4th Place Balcones Heights Sept 05 -- 3rd Place SA Rodeo Cook Off Jan 06 and 5th Place La Vernia Aug 06 -- BarNone BBQ Kenny M "Nonnymus" > wrote in message ... > Years ago, I became enamored of smoked meats, such as butt, sausage, > brisket and ribs. I certainly am not of a competitive quality cook, but > do OK by my own standards and have noticed that friends and family don't > make excuses when I invite them over for supper. Over the years, I've > built or bought many different smokers, from the R2D2-type up through a > very heavy steel one I welded up myself. I've cooked over briquettes, > lump and gas and have smoked with as many woods as I could lay my hands > on. Now, however, I've gone from living out in the boondocks, where I > could stack wood, and toss ashes to my heart's content to living in the > city, on a tiny lot that's mostly pool, spa and palms. From a practical > standpoint, I'm out of the real smoking end of cooking and relegated to a > gas grill, dampened chips in foil or a tray, and some really serious > char/rare cooking on a separate grill I built. > > When I used to have plenty of time to tend the smoker, nowadays I'm at the > mercy of schedules and have some responsibilities I've not had in the > past. Without further explanation, I simply cannot do a decent job > smoking ribs or a butt overnight or all day. It's sad, but life is full > of transitions and the smart person will adapt. > > Now, here's my question for this group: What experiences have you had > with an electric fed and temperature regulated smoker, such as sold by > Bass Pro Shops? http://tinyurl.com/yepbba From what I've seen and > heard, it's a pretty decent compromise for a person in my position. Now > that we're older and the kids are gone, my smoking is primarily for the > wife and me, with occasional bigger batches for visitors. I want > something I can "charge up," and forget while I tend to the new, other, > things in my life. From what I've seen, the temperature inside the smoker > is regulated by a digital thermostat and there's a second heating element > that fires off the wood or charcoal to provide the smoke. On my limited > real estate, I'd place the smoker on a concrete pad beside my gas grill/ > infrared cooker, so it'd be right by a 120v GFCI outlet. The released > smoke would be minimal and probably would not irritate my neighbors too > much. > > Looking back over the years, one thing I've not done personally is > sausage. I have a meat grinder on order and plan to play around making > some smoked sausage. > > Please, remember that I appreciate the difference between a butt cooked in > a masonry smoker over pre-burned wood and what's produced on a gas grill. > I'm looking for something reliable that would produce an acceptable smoked > rack of ribs or butt, without a lot of intervention and hassle. Any > thoughts? > -- > ---Nonnymus--- > In the periodic table, as in politics, > the unstable elements tend to hang out on > the far left, with some to the right as well. > |
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Thinking about a smoker
Fat fingered the keyboard the web site is www.traegerindustries.com
-- BarNone BBQ Kenny Morgenroth (210) 845-9721 Cell (210) 599-1649 Home > wrote in message news > If you enjoy the taste of smoking or grilling with Real Wood, but like the > rest of us just don't have the time or space to coupe with a traditional > stick pit. Check out www.traegerindusties.com these are wood pellet > cookers. We are the local stocking rep in San Antonio. > > We used the Big Tex grill in local competitions, placed 4th Place > Balcones Heights Sept 05 -- 3rd Place SA Rodeo Cook Off Jan 06 and 5th > Place La Vernia Aug 06 > > -- > BarNone BBQ > Kenny M > > > "Nonnymus" > wrote in message > ... >> Years ago, I became enamored of smoked meats, such as butt, sausage, >> brisket and ribs. I certainly am not of a competitive quality cook, but >> do OK by my own standards and have noticed that friends and family don't >> make excuses when I invite them over for supper. Over the years, I've >> built or bought many different smokers, from the R2D2-type up through a >> very heavy steel one I welded up myself. I've cooked over briquettes, >> lump and gas and have smoked with as many woods as I could lay my hands >> on. Now, however, I've gone from living out in the boondocks, where I >> could stack wood, and toss ashes to my heart's content to living in the >> city, on a tiny lot that's mostly pool, spa and palms. From a practical >> standpoint, I'm out of the real smoking end of cooking and relegated to a >> gas grill, dampened chips in foil or a tray, and some really serious >> char/rare cooking on a separate grill I built. >> >> When I used to have plenty of time to tend the smoker, nowadays I'm at >> the mercy of schedules and have some responsibilities I've not had in the >> past. Without further explanation, I simply cannot do a decent job >> smoking ribs or a butt overnight or all day. It's sad, but life is full >> of transitions and the smart person will adapt. >> >> Now, here's my question for this group: What experiences have you had >> with an electric fed and temperature regulated smoker, such as sold by >> Bass Pro Shops? http://tinyurl.com/yepbba From what I've seen and >> heard, it's a pretty decent compromise for a person in my position. Now >> that we're older and the kids are gone, my smoking is primarily for the >> wife and me, with occasional bigger batches for visitors. I want >> something I can "charge up," and forget while I tend to the new, other, >> things in my life. From what I've seen, the temperature inside the >> smoker is regulated by a digital thermostat and there's a second heating >> element that fires off the wood or charcoal to provide the smoke. On my >> limited real estate, I'd place the smoker on a concrete pad beside my gas >> grill/ infrared cooker, so it'd be right by a 120v GFCI outlet. The >> released smoke would be minimal and probably would not irritate my >> neighbors too much. >> >> Looking back over the years, one thing I've not done personally is >> sausage. I have a meat grinder on order and plan to play around making >> some smoked sausage. >> >> Please, remember that I appreciate the difference between a butt cooked >> in a masonry smoker over pre-burned wood and what's produced on a gas >> grill. I'm looking for something reliable that would produce an >> acceptable smoked rack of ribs or butt, without a lot of intervention and >> hassle. Any thoughts? >> -- >> ---Nonnymus--- >> In the periodic table, as in politics, >> the unstable elements tend to hang out on >> the far left, with some to the right as well. >> > > |
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Thinking about a smoker
> wrote in message
t > Fat fingered the keyboard the web site is www.traegerindustries.com > > >> If you enjoy the taste of smoking or grilling with Real Wood, but >> like the rest of us just don't have the time or space to coupe with >> a traditional stick pit. Check out www.traegerindusties.com these >> are wood pellet cookers. We are the local stocking rep in San >> Antonio. We used the Big Tex grill in local competitions, placed 4th >> Place >> Balcones Heights Sept 05 -- 3rd Place SA Rodeo Cook Off Jan 06 and 5th >> Place La Vernia Aug 06 >> >> -- >> BarNone BBQ >> Kenny M >> Since we're spamming, how about a Fast Eddie by CookShack? http://cookshack.com/index.php?pr=Res_Home It's possibly the best and most successful pellet smoker out there. I have no interest in their sales (unlike you with the Traeger!), but I know several people that cook compettvely on them. One just returned from cooking in the invitational in both the Jack Daniels and the American Royal. Another team (owns two FE 100's) is the current and for the fourth time, FBA T.O.T.Y. (Team Of The Year). Current winner at the Jack (CancerSucks, Chicago) also cooks on a Fast Eddie. BOB and FE pellets are cheaper |
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Thinking about a smoker
I don't have a clue what you're talking about, and I'll be damed if I'll
scroll through a page of stuff to find out. -- Brick(Youth is wasted on young people) |
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Thinking about a smoker
On Wed, 06 Dec 2006 02:40:20 GMT, > wrote:
>If you enjoy the taste of smoking or grilling with Real Wood, but like the >rest of us just don't have the time or space to coupe with a traditional >stick pit. Get a sedan. Much more roomier than a coupe. |
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Thinking about a smoker
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Thinking about a smoker
Apologize for the spamming,
New to the news group society, unware did not indend to offend. Kenny M " BOB" > wrote in message ... > > wrote in message > t > > Fat fingered the keyboard the web site is www.traegerindustries.com > > > > > >> If you enjoy the taste of smoking or grilling with Real Wood, but > >> like the rest of us just don't have the time or space to coupe with > >> a traditional stick pit. Check out www.traegerindusties.com these > >> are wood pellet cookers. We are the local stocking rep in San > >> Antonio. We used the Big Tex grill in local competitions, placed 4th > >> Place > >> Balcones Heights Sept 05 -- 3rd Place SA Rodeo Cook Off Jan 06 and 5th > >> Place La Vernia Aug 06 > >> > >> -- > >> BarNone BBQ > >> Kenny M > >> > > Since we're spamming, how about a Fast Eddie by CookShack? > http://cookshack.com/index.php?pr=Res_Home > It's possibly the best and most successful pellet smoker out there. I have > no interest in their sales (unlike you with the Traeger!), but I know > several people that cook compettvely on them. One just returned from > cooking in the invitational in both the Jack Daniels and the American Royal. > Another team (owns two FE 100's) is the current and for the fourth time, FBA > T.O.T.Y. (Team Of The Year). > Current winner at the Jack (CancerSucks, Chicago) also cooks on a Fast > Eddie. > > BOB > and FE pellets are cheaper > > |
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Thinking about a smoker
Apologize for the spamming,
New to the news group society, unware did not indend to offend. Kenny M > wrote in message .. . > I don't have a clue what you're talking about, and I'll be damed if I'll > scroll through a page of stuff to find out. > > -- > Brick(Youth is wasted on young people) |
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Thinking about a smoker
> wrote in message news > If you enjoy the taste of smoking or grilling with Real Wood, but like the > rest of us just don't have the time or space to coupe with a traditional > stick pit. Check out www.traegerindusties.com these are wood pellet > cookers. We are the local stocking rep in San Antonio. > > We used the Big Tex grill in local competitions, placed 4th Place > Balcones Heights Sept 05 -- 3rd Place SA Rodeo Cook Off Jan 06 and 5th > Place La Vernia Aug 06 > > -- > BarNone BBQ > Kenny M > > > "Nonnymus" > wrote in message > ... >> Years ago, I became enamored of smoked meats, such as butt, sausage, >> brisket and ribs. I certainly am not of a competitive quality cook, but >> do OK by my own standards and have noticed that friends and family don't >> make excuses when I invite them over for supper. Over the years, I've >> built or bought many different smokers, from the R2D2-type up through a >> very heavy steel one I welded up myself. I've cooked over briquettes, >> lump and gas and have smoked with as many woods as I could lay my hands >> on. Now, however, I've gone from living out in the boondocks, where I >> could stack wood, and toss ashes to my heart's content to living in the >> city, on a tiny lot that's mostly pool, spa and palms. From a practical >> standpoint, I'm out of the real smoking end of cooking and relegated to a >> gas grill, dampened chips in foil or a tray, and some really serious >> char/rare cooking on a separate grill I built. >> >> When I used to have plenty of time to tend the smoker, nowadays I'm at >> the mercy of schedules and have some responsibilities I've not had in the >> past. Without further explanation, I simply cannot do a decent job >> smoking ribs or a butt overnight or all day. It's sad, but life is full >> of transitions and the smart person will adapt. >> >> Now, here's my question for this group: What experiences have you had >> with an electric fed and temperature regulated smoker, such as sold by >> Bass Pro Shops? http://tinyurl.com/yepbba From what I've seen and >> heard, it's a pretty decent compromise for a person in my position. Now >> that we're older and the kids are gone, my smoking is primarily for the >> wife and me, with occasional bigger batches for visitors. I want >> something I can "charge up," and forget while I tend to the new, other, >> things in my life. From what I've seen, the temperature inside the >> smoker is regulated by a digital thermostat and there's a second heating >> element that fires off the wood or charcoal to provide the smoke. On my >> limited real estate, I'd place the smoker on a concrete pad beside my gas >> grill/ infrared cooker, so it'd be right by a 120v GFCI outlet. The >> released smoke would be minimal and probably would not irritate my >> neighbors too much. >> >> Looking back over the years, one thing I've not done personally is >> sausage. I have a meat grinder on order and plan to play around making >> some smoked sausage. >> >> Please, remember that I appreciate the difference between a butt cooked >> in a masonry smoker over pre-burned wood and what's produced on a gas >> grill. I'm looking for something reliable that would produce an >> acceptable smoked rack of ribs or butt, without a lot of intervention and >> hassle. Any thoughts? >> -- >> ---Nonnymus--- >> In the periodic table, as in politics, >> the unstable elements tend to hang out on >> the far left, with some to the right as well. >> > > |
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Thinking about a smoker
> wrote in message t... > Fat fingered the keyboard the web site is www.traegerindustries.com > > > -- > BarNone BBQ > Kenny Morgenroth > (210) 845-9721 Cell > (210) 599-1649 Home > > wrote in message > news >> If you enjoy the taste of smoking or grilling with Real Wood, but like >> the rest of us just don't have the time or space to coupe with a >> traditional stick pit. Check out www.traegerindusties.com these are wood >> pellet cookers. We are the local stocking rep in San Antonio. >> >> We used the Big Tex grill in local competitions, placed 4th Place >> Balcones Heights Sept 05 -- 3rd Place SA Rodeo Cook Off Jan 06 and 5th >> Place La Vernia Aug 06 >> >> -- >> BarNone BBQ >> Kenny M >> >> >> "Nonnymus" > wrote in message >> ... >>> Years ago, I became enamored of smoked meats, such as butt, sausage, >>> brisket and ribs. I certainly am not of a competitive quality cook, but >>> do OK by my own standards and have noticed that friends and family don't >>> make excuses when I invite them over for supper. Over the years, I've >>> built or bought many different smokers, from the R2D2-type up through a >>> very heavy steel one I welded up myself. I've cooked over briquettes, >>> lump and gas and have smoked with as many woods as I could lay my hands >>> on. Now, however, I've gone from living out in the boondocks, where I >>> could stack wood, and toss ashes to my heart's content to living in the >>> city, on a tiny lot that's mostly pool, spa and palms. From a practical >>> standpoint, I'm out of the real smoking end of cooking and relegated to >>> a gas grill, dampened chips in foil or a tray, and some really serious >>> char/rare cooking on a separate grill I built. >>> >>> When I used to have plenty of time to tend the smoker, nowadays I'm at >>> the mercy of schedules and have some responsibilities I've not had in >>> the past. Without further explanation, I simply cannot do a decent job >>> smoking ribs or a butt overnight or all day. It's sad, but life is full >>> of transitions and the smart person will adapt. >>> >>> Now, here's my question for this group: What experiences have you had >>> with an electric fed and temperature regulated smoker, such as sold by >>> Bass Pro Shops? http://tinyurl.com/yepbba From what I've seen and >>> heard, it's a pretty decent compromise for a person in my position. Now >>> that we're older and the kids are gone, my smoking is primarily for the >>> wife and me, with occasional bigger batches for visitors. I want >>> something I can "charge up," and forget while I tend to the new, other, >>> things in my life. From what I've seen, the temperature inside the >>> smoker is regulated by a digital thermostat and there's a second heating >>> element that fires off the wood or charcoal to provide the smoke. On my >>> limited real estate, I'd place the smoker on a concrete pad beside my >>> gas grill/ infrared cooker, so it'd be right by a 120v GFCI outlet. The >>> released smoke would be minimal and probably would not irritate my >>> neighbors too much. >>> >>> Looking back over the years, one thing I've not done personally is >>> sausage. I have a meat grinder on order and plan to play around making >>> some smoked sausage. >>> >>> Please, remember that I appreciate the difference between a butt cooked >>> in a masonry smoker over pre-burned wood and what's produced on a gas >>> grill. I'm looking for something reliable that would produce an >>> acceptable smoked rack of ribs or butt, without a lot of intervention >>> and hassle. Any thoughts? >>> -- >>> ---Nonnymus--- >>> In the periodic table, as in politics, >>> the unstable elements tend to hang out on >>> the far left, with some to the right as well. >>> >> >> > > |
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Thinking about a smoker
" BOB" > wrote in message ... > > wrote in message > t >> Fat fingered the keyboard the web site is www.traegerindustries.com >> >> >>> If you enjoy the taste of smoking or grilling with Real Wood, but >>> like the rest of us just don't have the time or space to coupe with >>> a traditional stick pit. Check out www.traegerindusties.com these >>> are wood pellet cookers. We are the local stocking rep in San >>> Antonio. We used the Big Tex grill in local competitions, placed 4th >>> Place >>> Balcones Heights Sept 05 -- 3rd Place SA Rodeo Cook Off Jan 06 and 5th >>> Place La Vernia Aug 06 >>> >>> -- >>> BarNone BBQ >>> Kenny M >>> > > Since we're spamming, how about a Fast Eddie by CookShack? > http://cookshack.com/index.php?pr=Res_Home > It's possibly the best and most successful pellet smoker out there. I > have no interest in their sales (unlike you with the Traeger!), but I know > several people that cook compettvely on them. One just returned from > cooking in the invitational in both the Jack Daniels and the American > Royal. Another team (owns two FE 100's) is the current and for the fourth > time, FBA T.O.T.Y. (Team Of The Year). > Current winner at the Jack (CancerSucks, Chicago) also cooks on a Fast > Eddie. > > BOB > and FE pellets are cheaper > |
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