The Grill and BBQ thread

[UT_VOLS13]

Willy's?....yeah, bring your wallet. I spent almost $60 on 4 pork chops. They were fantastic, but I agree with your other post about "prime" pork chops. That's the way to go!

If you want some good look no further Cheshire Pork.

Pork

 

[volfanjustin]

Best of luck my friend. I love cooking and sharing things with others. Hope all goes well tomorrow. I would love to hear an update on how things went.

Reporting back, we had a mixed bag. Done ok for our first time, broke even money wise, we know some of the mistakes we made. It was a lot of work, all 4 of us are exhausted.
First pic, my wife on left and other 2 our partners

 

[butchna]

Where is the best source for oak, pecan, mesquite et al chunks for smoking? Got my last bag of hickory at Lowes and it’s not exactly economical. Academy seems to have a better supply, but I don’t know if there’s a better option.

 

[Go aeiou]

Where is the best source for oak, pecan, mesquite et al chunks for smoking? Got my last bag of hickory at Lowes and it’s not exactly economical. Academy seems to have a better supply, but I don’t know if there’s a better option.

Woodworking shops, furniture manufacturers, floor installers, saw Mills. Must be non treated and unfinished.
Pecan and mesquite will be easier to get where they grow.

I get apple in MI when we visit. Wild peach grows in SE. TN.

 

[UT_VOLS13]

Reporting back, we had a mixed bag. Done ok for our first time, broke even money wise, we know some of the mistakes we made. It was a lot of work, all 4 of us are exhausted.
First pic, my wife on left and other 2 our partners
View attachment 210141


View attachment 210142

I have done some catering and stuff like that and yes it is a lot of work. Tons of prep work and then you have to break everything down. Hope it works out for yall.

 

[SLICKYINC]

Where is the best source for oak, pecan, mesquite et al chunks for smoking? Got my last bag of hickory at Lowes and it’s not exactly economical. Academy seems to have a better supply, but I don’t know if there’s a better option.

Craigslist and FB marketplace.

 

[butchna]

Craigslist and FB marketplace.

Never thought of those avenues...thanks. Might skip the first one due to aversion of being made a sex slave.

 

[SLICKYINC]

Never thought of those avenues...thanks. Might skip the first one due to aversion of being made a sex slave.

I've had good luck in my area with pecan on craigslist. Usually a tree comes down in a storm and people just want it out of their yard. $25 for the last bed full.

 

[butchna]

I've had good luck in my area with pecan on craigslist. Usually a tree comes down in a storm and people just want it out of their yard. $25 for the last bed full.

You split it afterwards or just leave the bark on?

 

[SLICKYINC]

You split it afterwards or just leave the bark on?

Split it and leave the bark on. I cook primarily with wood the whole smoke unless I'm doing something fast. Then I just use lump and throw some small wood chunks in.

 

[MSME Vol]

Where is the best source for oak, pecan, mesquite et al chunks for smoking? Got my last bag of hickory at Lowes and it’s not exactly economical. Academy seems to have a better supply, but I don’t know if there’s a better option.

Make friends with any orchard near you and offer to come by when they prune.

 

[MSME Vol]

Just like the butcher it helps if you give them a pound of two of pulled pork every so often to ensure you get the product you want.

 

[kiddiedoc]

You need to save some pork and try this recipe.

Thanks! I didn't feel like getting the grill going after work, so we just finished it in the oven. The whole family loved it!

 

[volfanjustin]

Thanks! I didn't feel like getting the grill going after work, so we just finished it in the oven. The whole family loved it!
View attachment 210342
View attachment 210343

That looks great

 

[UT_VOLS13]

Thanks! I didn't feel like getting the grill going after work, so we just finished it in the oven. The whole family loved it!
View attachment 210342
View attachment 210343

Nice, glad it worked out for you and the family. Going to try this next.

Burnt End Chili


I have used this recipe before and they got destroyed at a party that I took them to.

Smoked Pork Belly Burnt Ends Recipe | ThermoWorks

 

[GVF]

Where is the best source for oak, pecan, mesquite et al chunks for smoking? Got my last bag of hickory at Lowes and it’s not exactly economical. Academy seems to have a better supply, but I don’t know if there’s a better option.

I've got all mine at academy. they have the large bags with the bigger chunks. And smaller bags that are chunks normally hand width or less. One trip and I've got a lifetime supply of cherry, apple, post oak, and pecan. All for around $50. But, I don't actually cook with wood only. I use hardwood lump, and add a couple small pieces of smoking wood. It's economical for that way cause I use a barrel smoker and only have to add very little extra for smoke flavor. If at all.

 

[volmanbill]

I don't know about chunks, but I get my pellets from Amazon. Cheaper and delivered to my door.

 

[JCHateSteve]

Did a pork butt for a co-worker's going away party tomorrow. Used the Pit Barrel with the a-maze-n tube instead of chunk. I was out of everything but pellets and didn't realize it. It's pretty tasty this way. A little lighter on the smoke flavor.

 

[butchna]

I've got all mine at academy. they have the large bags with the bigger chunks. And smaller bags that are chunks normally hand width or less. One trip and I've got a lifetime supply of cherry, apple, post oak, and pecan. All for around $50. But, I don't actually cook with wood only. I use hardwood lump, and add a couple small pieces of smoking wood. It's economical for that way cause I use a barrel smoker and only have to add very little extra for smoke flavor. If at all.

Similar to my approach...as a novice. Glad I’m not too far off.

 

[Boca Vol]

I've got all mine at academy. they have the large bags with the bigger chunks. And smaller bags that are chunks normally hand width or less. One trip and I've got a lifetime supply of cherry, apple, post oak, and pecan. All for around $50. But, I don't actually cook with wood only. I use hardwood lump, and add a couple small pieces of smoking wood. It's economical for that way cause I use a barrel smoker and only have to add very little extra for smoke flavor. If at all.

I agree. With lump charcoal you really don't need that much wood to get the smoke you want. A couple of small (racketball size) chunks of hickory or 1 hickory & 1 cherry for a pork butt will get you a nice smoke ring.

 

[GVF]

I agree. With lump charcoal you really don't need that much wood to get the smoke you want. A couple of small (racketball size) chunks of hickory or 1 hickory & 1 cherry for a pork butt will get you a nice smoke ring.

Yes. It does. And you have to be careful adding oak. The lump coal is already oak. My first couple of smokes in the barrell were almost too smokey because of the efficiency of these things and the oak lump. In the Barrel smokers, original Kingsford does a good job even without adding chunks. I just prefer the lump. So, I cut way back. Now, I actually split pieces off to about a 1/2 spine by maybe 3 inches long. Put two flavors in and that's all I add. Gets me the right flavor without tasting smoke for two days, and like you said a good ring.

 

[Septic]

2.5 hours into the cook... just tossed some sausages on for a snack. This smoke will be no warp.

I see you have a rec tec rt700. Would you recommend it?

I'm looking at a camp chef, which is about half the cost ($500) of the rt700 or a Green Mountain Grill which is about $800 - is the rec tec worth extra cost in your opinion? I noticed you had an auger problem in another post, is that a common occurrence? Does it get hot enough to sear and lastly does it smoke well or do you supplement with a smoke tube?

 

[NEVolFan]

I see you have a rec tec rt700. Would you recommend it?

I'm looking at a camp chef, which is about half the cost ($500) of the rt700 or a Green Mountain Grill which is about $800 - is the rec tec worth extra cost in your opinion? I noticed you had an auger problem in another post, is that a common occurrence? Does it get hot enough to sear and lastly does it smoke well or do you supplement with a smoke tube?

I would recommend this highly.
I bought an off brand of pellets and they broke up into fines which clogged the auger path. You do get a good sear if you crank the heat high. I generally move the meat to a gas grill for a sear... easier I think.
Unit has a setting for high smoke, the fan cycles on and off, when I use that setting I run it for 2 hrs and then turn back to normal operation.
I as well have used smoke tubes.
The RecTec is built with thicker wall steel and will hold heat better in cool weather.
I would make the same purchase again... well built system.

 

[UT_VOLS13]

I see you have a rec tec rt700. Would you recommend it?

I'm looking at a camp chef, which is about half the cost ($500) of the rt700 or a Green Mountain Grill which is about $800 - is the rec tec worth extra cost in your opinion? I noticed you had an auger problem in another post, is that a common occurrence? Does it get hot enough to sear and lastly does it smoke well or do you supplement with a smoke tube?

Check this link for some reviews of pellet grills.

Reviews and Ratings Of Grills, Smokers, Barbecue Pits, & Outdoor Ovens

 

[GVF]

Check this link for some reviews of pellet grills.

Reviews and Ratings Of Grills, Smokers, Barbecue Pits, & Outdoor Ovens

Those all look nice. I just didn't have the funds for a pellet smoker. Nor a reasonably accessible plug. Nor did I want the hassle of tending a smoke box or water pan every 2 hours. So after months and months of researching different gas and electric grills and charcoal/stick burners, I leaned toward barrel cookers. Those were expensive as well. Then I found Barrell House cookers. they offer a 14" and an 18" model. their 18" now offers an expansion ring to get 27" of hang space. I got the 14". It sounds small and looks small but I get 24" hang space. I can do a reasonably sized butt on the rack. I can hang up to a 20 lb turkey, 3 chickens if larger, or 6 racks of ribs if cooking nothing else. and so far it cooks way more than the 3 of us can eat. It'll burn lump charcoal for a good 6 hour plus. Trust the time and temp and this is a great smoker. I'm all in with the smoker and the accessories it came with at $270. Plus $140 worth of extra accessories for $70 for fathers day. And my son smokes meat better than me already. so, I just assist him.