Topic Wiki

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 541211 times)

Offline ushdadude

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Apr 2013
  • Posts: 6636
  • Total likes: 1226
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 5
    • View Profile
  • Location: NY
Re: Smoking Meats
« Reply #1580 on: May 12, 2018, 11:22:19 PM »
If you're looking for easy smokings not for you.
Aren't you the one that told be back when I first got my smoker that it's time and cash consuming?
That's definitely true... But that's also why I haven't done it in quite some time

Offline Sport

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Dec 2013
  • Posts: 2375
  • Total likes: 103
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
Re: Smoking Meats
« Reply #1581 on: May 12, 2018, 11:25:57 PM »
That's definitely true... But that's also why I haven't done it in quite some time
Happens to be electric is not so bad.

Offline rs242

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Feb 2015
  • Posts: 1318
  • Total likes: 158
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Smoking Meats
« Reply #1582 on: May 13, 2018, 12:15:20 AM »
Lol... They just seem so much easier than charcoal
Get a PBC

Offline ushdadude

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Apr 2013
  • Posts: 6636
  • Total likes: 1226
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 5
    • View Profile
  • Location: NY
Re: Smoking Meats
« Reply #1583 on: May 13, 2018, 12:26:11 AM »
Get a PBC
I'll prob end up with wsm. I still can't imagine either being as convenient as electric.

Offline rs242

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Feb 2015
  • Posts: 1318
  • Total likes: 158
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Smoking Meats
« Reply #1584 on: May 13, 2018, 01:17:42 AM »
I'll prob end up with wsm. I still can't imagine either being as convenient as electric.
PBC is unbelievably convenient. You literally light it and let it do its thing.

Offline ushdadude

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Apr 2013
  • Posts: 6636
  • Total likes: 1226
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 5
    • View Profile
  • Location: NY
Re: Smoking Meats
« Reply #1585 on: May 13, 2018, 08:20:16 AM »
PBC is unbelievably convenient. You literally light it and let it do its thing.
It's the cleanup that's annoying

Offline henche

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: May 2011
  • Posts: 4469
  • Total likes: 453
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Smoking Meats
« Reply #1586 on: May 13, 2018, 08:31:03 AM »
It's the cleanup that's annoying

Is not very annoying.  Come by,  I show u.

 I put a pizza Pam under the charcoal basket before lighting.  Then,  when I come to smoke again,  I pick up basket, carefully pour into garbage bag. Pick up pan,  pour into garbage bag,  tie bag put in garbage.

Whooosh, breathe again (I hold breath while doing the ashes)

Offline rs242

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Feb 2015
  • Posts: 1318
  • Total likes: 158
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Smoking Meats
« Reply #1587 on: May 13, 2018, 09:31:04 AM »
Is not very annoying.  Come by,  I show u.

 I put a pizza Pam under the charcoal basket before lighting.  Then,  when I come to smoke again,  I pick up basket, carefully pour into garbage bag. Pick up pan,  pour into garbage bag,  tie bag put in garbage.

Whooosh, breathe again (I hold breath while doing the ashes)
I put think layer of foil pick up the basket pull the corners of the foil and right in the trash. The electric was much more work as far as maintenance is concerned.

Offline ushdadude

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Apr 2013
  • Posts: 6636
  • Total likes: 1226
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 5
    • View Profile
  • Location: NY
Re: Smoking Meats
« Reply #1588 on: May 13, 2018, 09:32:12 AM »
I put think layer of foil pick up the basket pull the corners of the foil and right in the trash. The electric was much more work as far as maintenance is concerned.
Interesting. What maintenance was there?

Offline rs242

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Feb 2015
  • Posts: 1318
  • Total likes: 158
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Smoking Meats
« Reply #1589 on: May 13, 2018, 09:34:44 AM »
Interesting. What maintenance was there?
The water pan always caused me issues, when I was done cooking the pan was always full to the brim with oil. Try carefully picking up a pan  full of oil! It spills in the smoker it’s a huge mess then it spilled all over my deck. This happen every time

Offline ushdadude

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Apr 2013
  • Posts: 6636
  • Total likes: 1226
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 5
    • View Profile
  • Location: NY
Re: Smoking Meats
« Reply #1590 on: May 13, 2018, 09:56:04 AM »
The water pan always caused me issues, when I was done cooking the pan was always full to the brim with oil. Try carefully picking up a pan  full of oil! It spills in the smoker it’s a huge mess then it spilled all over my deck. This happen every time
Interesting point

Offline rs242

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Feb 2015
  • Posts: 1318
  • Total likes: 158
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Smoking Meats
« Reply #1591 on: May 13, 2018, 12:30:55 PM »
Interesting point
I just set my my pbc with cleaning out my old coals all of 8 min. Then lit the chimney will come back in 12 min pour the coals and ready to cook.

Offline Sport

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Dec 2013
  • Posts: 2375
  • Total likes: 103
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
Re: Smoking Meats
« Reply #1592 on: May 13, 2018, 12:33:48 PM »
I'll prob end up with wsm. I still can't imagine either being as convenient as electric.
Go for it, I love mine, I've got prep time down to 15 min and clean up down to 5.

Offline Sport

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Dec 2013
  • Posts: 2375
  • Total likes: 103
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
Re: Smoking Meats
« Reply #1593 on: May 13, 2018, 12:36:48 PM »
I just set my my pbc with cleaning out my old coals all of 8 min. Then lit the chimney will come back in 12 min pour the coals and ready to cook.
Inefficient!
 why not light chimney while you clean and set up the pbc?

Offline rs242

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Feb 2015
  • Posts: 1318
  • Total likes: 158
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Smoking Meats
« Reply #1594 on: May 13, 2018, 03:24:09 PM »
Inefficient!
 why not light chimney while you clean and set up the pbc?
Good point. But I still needed to rub the meat so ...

Offline henche

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: May 2011
  • Posts: 4469
  • Total likes: 453
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Smoking Meats
« Reply #1595 on: May 13, 2018, 04:42:29 PM »
Good point. But I still needed to rub the meat so ...

+1 I prep the meat while the chimney lights.

Inefficient!
 why not light chimney while you clean and set up the pbc?

I assume the 8 mins included pouring the coals and setting up the chimney

Offline Entrepreneur

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Silver Elite
  • *****
  • Join Date: Dec 2011
  • Posts: 583
  • Total likes: 3
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 4
    • View Profile
  • Location: New York
Re: Smoking Meats
« Reply #1596 on: May 14, 2018, 03:36:16 PM »
Anyone know anything about the REC TEC pellet smoker?

Offline ADG

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Apr 2015
  • Posts: 1469
  • Total likes: 79
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: BK
Re: Smoking Meats
« Reply #1597 on: May 14, 2018, 04:53:30 PM »
I researched them a little before I bought my pellet smoker. I am very happy with my Green mountain- because of performance and customer service. GMG is also less expensive. They pretty much to the same thing

Offline noturbizniss

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Dec 2012
  • Posts: 7137
  • Total likes: 143
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 4
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: North Jersey
Re: Smoking Meats
« Reply #1598 on: May 15, 2018, 02:15:30 PM »
Re thermapen. You want accuracy to 0.2 degrees your going to pay for it. Hands down the gold standard in instant reads.
Re wsm, it's very easy to clean. I bought a small metal fireplace shovel to scoop out the coals. Just take it apart and scoop it out into a small tin garbage can which I dump into a bag when it cools.
With pbc, you have no temperature control. For meats it should be fine but you won't get that 325 to 350 that you need to poultry.
READ THE DARN WIKI!!!!

Chuck Norris...
...can still do FT method
...READS THE WIKI!!!

Offline henche

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: May 2011
  • Posts: 4469
  • Total likes: 453
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Smoking Meats
« Reply #1599 on: May 15, 2018, 02:41:20 PM »
Re thermapen. You want accuracy to 0.2 degrees your going to pay for it. Hands down the gold standard in instant reads.
Re wsm, it's very easy to clean. I bought a small metal fireplace shovel to scoop out the coals. Just take it apart and scoop it out into a small tin garbage can which I dump into a bag when it cools.
With pbc, you have no temperature control. For meats it should be fine but you won't get that 325 to 350 that you need to poultry.

I crack the lid on PBC at the end of a chicken smoking, to crisp up the skin.  Nobody never complained.