Bbq

[Reeve11]

So another one of my hobbies besides smoking cigars is smoking meat (insert jokes) Is anyone else here a BBQ fan? And I'm not talking grilling, I'm talking "low and slow" cooking.

here's my standard smoker that I got from craigslist for 20 bucks. Then added a lot of mods to it to make it cook much better.

Before the mods.. you can get this smoker at most shops. Or used like I did on auction sites

my first mod, the dryer tube smokestack

next was the baffle I had a friend who is a welder make for me.

Charcoal basket welded and installed

Installed aftermarket thermometers

that's my rig right now. I have some more to do to it, but it's been cooking very well.

anyone else?

 

[twenty5]

Very nice, I have been looking to get into the whole smoking thing. Right now I am trying to decide between the smoker you have (or similar) or a propane smoker....

 

[Glennet]

Nice setup !! I've been thinking about a set up like yours for a couple years now and I think the time to act is here. But I've got a couple of questions.
Is the small grill on the right receiving indirect heat from the larger grill - or are you placing your BBQ meat on the shallow pan with the holes ?? Now that I'm thinking about it - does the charcoal fire for heat go on the left - and a wood fire for smoke in the small grill on the right with the BBQ in the middle ??

 

[theribdoctor]

I got the same smoker as you, no mods yet, but I'm loving it.

 

[kockroach]

I got the same smoker as you, no mods yet, but I'm loving it.

Better step it up then, Ribby! We'll have to revoke "doctor" status from you!

 

[kmckinn3]

Nice setup !! I've been thinking about a set up like yours for a couple years now and I think the time to act is here. But I've got a couple of questions.
Is the small grill on the right receiving indirect heat from the larger grill - or are you placing your BBQ meat on the shallow pan with the holes ?? Now that I'm thinking about it - does the charcoal fire for heat go on the left - and a wood fire for smoke in the small grill on the right with the BBQ in the middle ??

I believe they are both heat sources but you put your smoking wood in the box on the right and the smoke goes in to the larger compartment on the left where it makes sweet, sweet love to the meat.

Nice setup! It's about time I invest in one of these smokers. I love grilling/BBQn and cooking in general!

 

[twenty5]

Nice setup !! I've been thinking about a set up like yours for a couple years now and I think the time to act is here. But I've got a couple of questions.
Is the small grill on the right receiving indirect heat from the larger grill - or are you placing your BBQ meat on the shallow pan with the holes ?? Now that I'm thinking about it - does the charcoal fire for heat go on the left - and a wood fire for smoke in the small grill on the right with the BBQ in the middle ??

The large grill recieves indirect heat from the smaller grill. The metal piece w/ holes is to help move the heat further into the large grill. With out that mod temperatures are a lot different from the side w/ the heat to the side without.

Charcoal and wood go into the small grill for smoking.

 

[TreeFrog Frank]

I was really wanting to get into smoking, but didn't have a lot of money to invest. So, I toyed with making a temporary one from a galv. garbage can, hot plate, etc. BUT, two summers ago, I was at a garage sale and got a barely used Brinkmann electric smoker for $20. I love the thing. Haven't done a LOT of smoking, yet, but I have done ribs several times, a few pork butts, a poorly done brisket (1st time), a chicken, and a 2-day brined boneless turkey breast for last Thanksgiving (was to die for!!). So, I'm really enjoying what I have for now. Someday, I would love to have the room/money to get a bigger/nicer smoker, but for now, it's pretty good!

 

[Glennet]

Thanks Justin - Think I got how the setup works - one more question -
Are the holes in the metal plate a hit or miss - or is there some rule of thumb you use to determine the number of holes and diameter to produce uniform heat.

 

[twenty5]

Thanks Justin - Think I got how the setup works - one more question -
Are the holes in the metal plate a hit or miss - or is there some rule of thumb you use to determine the number of holes and diameter to produce uniform heat.

Its however you want really. The best way to do it would be to have the holes start off very sparingly on the right and get into a more and more dense pattern as you move to the left.

 

[Reeve11]

The large grill recieves indirect heat from the smaller grill. The metal piece w/ holes is to help move the heat further into the large grill. With out that mod temperatures are a lot different from the side w/ the heat to the side without.

Charcoal and wood go into the small grill for smoking.

this is exactly right. I use lump charcoal and wood in the small fire box on the right and put the meat in the large chamber. The baffle (like stated above, is to spread the heat more evenly in the cooking chamber.

here's a Q'ing shots

The night before

3 hours into the cook. (the ribs go in foil after 3 hours, for 2 more hours, before finishing up one hour out of the foil again)

For you guys that want to get into BBQ I say go for it. I am no pro for sure. I get all of my info off of "smoking meat forum" and it's really just following directions. (with some bumps along the way)

 

[Glennet]

Reeve11-

Your creations look absolutely FANTASTIC!!

Only wish I was there for the tasting part.

Good Luck -

 

[blooz4u]

Gotta love the Bacon-woven sausage. Nothing unhealthy about that! :grin:

 

[strife]

Everythings better with bacon!

 

[Reeve11]

the construction.... and right before lunch

Filling

Rolled

bacon!

pressed

smoked!

 

[twenty5]

God that looks good!!

I went looking at smokers yesterday because of you!! lol
I will be getting a gas one and I am doing my first smoke Saturday.

 

[Reeve11]

God that looks good!!

I went looking at smokers yesterday because of you!! lol
I will be getting a gas one and I am doing my first smoke Saturday.

very nice!

here's some more food pron to get you excited. These were two 6 poundish pork butts I smoked last year

The "fuel"

smoker holding temp perfectly

8.5 hours later

and pulled. I love this shot because you can see all the pink the smoke left in the meat

so good.

 

[twenty5]

Bought my smoker today, put it together and did a bit of seasoning tonight! I am pretty excited about Saturday and my first smoke!

 

[Reeve11]

Bought my smoker today, put it together and did a bit of seasoning tonight! I am pretty excited about Saturday and my first smoke!

awesome! take some pictures

 

[Glennet]

awesome! take some pictures

Yeah Justin - I'm getting down to a final decision of what I'm gonna buy and would like to see your selection.