smokers and bbq, ribs, brisket, oh my

[everything]

disclaimers/caveats that I'm reducing (mainly red) meat consumption, plus red meat, smoked meat, charred meat (and all 3 combined) are unhealthy and probably carcinogenic. ... nevertheless.... for random reasons I think I'm gonna buy a smoker, maybe the Weber Smokey Mountain or the Pit Barrel Cooker (basically there is a fire at the bottom of a barrel, lol) to make some ribs, pork, chicken, maybe a brisket (supposedly super difficult), perhaps a turkey on rare occasion like US Thanksgiving day.

alright, rsf, any tips, advice, stories, rants, raves, other commentary?

[origami_itto]

If you're new to it, unless you're really good with controlling the temperature, just get one of them electric smokers to get a feel for the recipes and if you REALLY like it then start messing with a wood fire.

[everything]

am so so with the gas convection oven (def a beginner). i'm super tempted to get the pit barrel for the same set-and-forget ease (supposedly). but avoiding the smoked grease as the main method of "smoke" and ability to do the same but with slight tweaks (medium difficulty to near-set-and-forget) is probably too tempting. i kinda am getting obsessed before having any real ability/experience. been watching too much bbq tv.

[Bhassler]

Unless you're going to be doing a whole lot of stuff, just a regular Weber charcoal grill is just as easy, more versatile, and probably cheaper.

[everything]

yeah i think i'm suckered in by the marketing (as well as glowing user reviews on either of these barrel thingys). just in case i grow into a new hobby (that keeps on giving). no big plans, and i still want to avoid eating a lot of red meat, but i guess biggest daydream would be to achieve a decent Texas style brisket.

i think it's also the "primitive" fun of "make fire" and "cook big chunk of meat" outdoors and have a big meat-oriented feast. i'm not that outdoorsy, and am def not into tail-gating, but there's something about the outdoor cooking thing, plus the feasting, lol.

[origami_itto]

am so so with the gas convection oven (def a beginner). i'm super tempted to get the pit barrel for the same set-and-forget ease (supposedly). but avoiding the smoked grease as the main method of "smoke" and ability to do the same but with slight tweaks (medium difficulty to near-set-and-forget) is probably too tempting. i kinda am getting obsessed before having any real ability/experience. been watching too much bbq tv.

The propane systems with the pellets are pretty easy too.

I mean, sure you can use a charcoal grill and I respect the grind on that, but at the end of the day it's faster, cheaper, and easier to deliver a consistent result with an electric or propane with electronic temperature control.

On the high end the eggs have that capability I believe, I dunno never used one myself but a coworker was yammering about it. Charcoal versatility and flavor but less futzing than a little webber. If I understand it right there's a thermometer and fan setup you can attach to control airflow precisely to dial in the perfect temperature.

https://biggreenegg.com/

[everything]

ah very cool. I had a normal propane one from Home Depot or Lowe's for a long time til it got rusty/broke down. Was good.

For whatever reason, probably tv and user reviews and youtube, I now want to try for the charcoal route (more "primal" feeling maybe?). Decided my tinkerer-desire will override my laziness-set-and-forget desire, so I've gone ahead and ordered the Weber Smokey Mountain over the Pit Barrel Cooker (albeit there would be something so cool about cooking in a barrel that looks like a movie homeless fire barrel). It looks like this


Will post if I ever get success, and will some day try to cook some brisket for the big RSF picnic.

[origami_itto]

Will post if I ever get success, and will some day try to cook some brisket for the big RSF picnic.

That would, like a Dothraki wedding, be a very dull affair without a death or two.

[windwalker]

ah very cool. I had a normal propane one from Home Depot or Lowe's for a long time til it got rusty/broke down. Was good.

For whatever reason, probably tv and user reviews and youtube, I now want to try for the charcoal route (more "primal" feeling maybe?). Decided my tinkerer-desire will override my laziness-set-and-forget desire, so I've gone ahead and ordered the Weber Smokey Mountain over the Pit Barrel Cooker (albeit there would be something so cool about cooking in a barrel that looks like a movie homeless fire barrel). It looks like this


Will post if I ever get success, and will some day try to cook some brisket for the big RSF picnic.

try this one, there are cheaper ones,,,Traditional

[everything]

Will post if I ever get success, and will some day try to cook some brisket for the big RSF picnic.

That would, like a Dothraki wedding, be a very dull affair without a death or two.

heh heh yeah

that looks super similar to the one i decided to get (more of an R2D2 shaped one). it can still do "trash can BBQ" style, but it can also be used like a normal grill.

[vadaga]

you can smoke fish with those smokers as well... my cousin has done bluefish and mackerel

[origami_itto]

you can smoke fish with those smokers as well... my cousin has done bluefish and mackerel

I love a little salmon in them. Can use the leftovers for dip