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Best first time smoked ribs/brisket recipe: https://amazingribs.com/tested-recipes/spice-rubs-and-pastes/big-bad-beef-rub-recipe

Chickens taste better when cooked whole. Pickles taste better cut. Sandwiches taste better cut and bitten from inside. Meat tastes better sliced against grain.


Definitely a smoker is a personal choice, and what is better depends on what you are looking for.  I say it's a balance of goals, between: (i) making good food, (ii) making authentic BBQ, (iii) having fun with the maaseh of smoking, and (iv) convenience.  Items (iii) and (iv) don't only conflict, they directly oppose each other.

I opted for items (i) and (iv) so went PBC.  I would say WSM is also mostly a (i) and (iv) choice, but it brings in extra elements of (ii) and (iii), at a slight cost to (iv).  Maybe WSM also better at (i)--I have no idea either way.

Further to the above:

If all you want is good food, get a sous vide.

If all you want is authentic BBQ, get a huge offset smoker that you feed with split logs.

If all you want is having fun with the maaseh of smoking, again, get a huge offset smoker.

If all you want is convenience, use your oven.


Henche's PBC review
https://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=43018.msg1439199#msg1439199
« Last edited by jj1000 on June 04, 2020, 10:13:19 AM »

Author Topic: Smoking Meats  (Read 429929 times)

Offline henche

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Re: Smoking Meats
« Reply #400 on: June 25, 2016, 10:10:31 PM »
You're supposed to butcher the chicken before smoking. Tops and bottoms go to different temperatures

But I like chickens better when they're cooked whole. 

Offline ushdadude

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Re: Smoking Meats
« Reply #401 on: June 25, 2016, 10:12:33 PM »
But I like chickens better when they're cooked whole.

Go for it

Offline Sport

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Re: Smoking Meats
« Reply #402 on: June 25, 2016, 10:23:45 PM »
You're supposed to butcher the chicken before smoking. Tops and bottoms go to different temperatures
Nah comes out great every tim.

Offline Work-for-ur-muny

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Re: Smoking Meats
« Reply #403 on: July 04, 2016, 03:49:27 PM »
I will start by saying that I'm a total n00b at this, so without further ado:

1) What's the way to go, electric or charcoal?
If it's only a matter of minute difference in taste, with the latter being the "real thing" but the former easier to handle, then I'd obviously take the electric (if all else fits my criteria).

Offline cholent

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Re: Smoking Meats
« Reply #404 on: July 04, 2016, 04:09:39 PM »
I will start by saying that I'm a total n00b at this, so without further ado:

1) What's the way to go, electric or charcoal?
If it's only a matter of minute difference in taste, with the latter being the "real thing" but the former easier to handle, then I'd obviously take the electric (if all else fits my criteria).

If you're looking for easy read up on the pit barrel cooker. Henche has a full write up on it upthread
Don't ask stupid questions and you won't get stupid answers

Offline Work-for-ur-muny

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Re: Smoking Meats
« Reply #405 on: July 04, 2016, 04:15:05 PM »
If you're looking for easy read up on the pit barrel cooker. Henche has a full write up on it upthread
Is that electric?

Offline cholent

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Re: Smoking Meats
« Reply #406 on: July 04, 2016, 04:15:48 PM »
Is that electric?
Charcoal. Amazingribs.com is a great resource as well
Don't ask stupid questions and you won't get stupid answers

Offline Work-for-ur-muny

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Re: Smoking Meats
« Reply #407 on: July 04, 2016, 04:19:43 PM »
The thing is this: I can't quite choose exactly what I'm getting. Someone is ordering one for me and gave me the choice between electric and charcoal. The rest is sort of "beggars can't be choosy"... So I'll ask around a little over here (one question at a time so I can make an informed decision)

Offline cholent

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Re: Smoking Meats
« Reply #408 on: July 04, 2016, 04:53:11 PM »
The thing is this: I can't quite choose exactly what I'm getting. Someone is ordering one for me and gave me the choice between electric and charcoal. The rest is sort of "beggars can't be choosy"... So I'll ask around a little over here (one question at a time so I can make an informed decision)
There's no way you can make the suggestion or at least drop the name?
Don't ask stupid questions and you won't get stupid answers

Offline Sport

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Re: Smoking Meats
« Reply #409 on: July 04, 2016, 04:57:03 PM »
I will start by saying that I'm a total n00b at this, so without further ado:

1) What's the way to go, electric or charcoal?
If it's only a matter of minute difference in taste, with the latter being the "real thing" but the former easier to handle, then I'd obviously take the electric (if all else fits my criteria).
Try asking on this fb group. https://m.facebook.com/groups/9061322993?view=info&refid=18&ref=bookmarks
Lots of knowledgeable people.

Offline Work-for-ur-muny

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Re: Smoking Meats
« Reply #410 on: July 04, 2016, 05:00:00 PM »
Try asking on this fb group. https://m.facebook.com/groups/9061322993?view=info&refid=18&ref=bookmarks
Lots of knowledgeable people.
Would very much like to get the info, but don't have FB.

Offline Sport

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Re: Smoking Meats
« Reply #411 on: July 04, 2016, 05:00:40 PM »
Would very much like to get the info, but don't have FB.
I'll ask for you.

Offline Work-for-ur-muny

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Re: Smoking Meats
« Reply #412 on: July 04, 2016, 05:02:51 PM »
I'll ask for you.
Thanks! Greatly appreciated.  :)

Offline ushdadude

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Re: Smoking Meats
« Reply #413 on: July 04, 2016, 06:15:07 PM »
The thing is this: I can't quite choose exactly what I'm getting. Someone is ordering one for me and gave me the choice between electric and charcoal. The rest is sort of "beggars can't be choosy"... So I'll ask around a little over here (one question at a time so I can make an informed decision)

A cheap coal is significantly better than a cheap electric. from my understanding, as you get more expensive, the electric ones start to catch up (never equaling) so i would say it depends on the price range

Offline Sport

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Re: Smoking Meats
« Reply #414 on: July 04, 2016, 07:57:51 PM »
Thanks! Greatly appreciated.  :)
So far looking like charcoal is winning out.

Offline rs242

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Re: Smoking Meats
« Reply #415 on: July 05, 2016, 01:09:06 AM »
Thanks! Greatly appreciated.  :)
I use electric and I love it really easy and meat is unbelievable 

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Re: Smoking Meats
« Reply #416 on: July 05, 2016, 01:12:41 AM »
Thanks all!
2) What are my options (if any) with something that would work indoors? If electric, then I'd definitely go that way.

Offline ushdadude

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Re: Smoking Meats
« Reply #417 on: July 05, 2016, 09:02:36 AM »
Thanks all!
2) What are my options (if any) with something that would work indoors? If electric, then I'd definitely go that way.

an oven

Offline henche

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Re: Smoking Meats
« Reply #418 on: July 05, 2016, 09:51:43 AM »
Build a chimney to outside?

Offline rs242

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Re: Smoking Meats
« Reply #419 on: July 05, 2016, 09:52:38 AM »
Your house will still smell even with chimney