Re: What's in your smoker?
 

Hi folks,

I'm interested in picking up a remote temp probe for use in my bbq's. I have a natural gas grill, and a bradley smoker.

I like the idea of inserting the probe in the bbq and bringing the remote unit inside for monitoring. What make and model do you recommend?
Trying to stay under $40 if possible.

Thanks!

Re: What's in your smoker?
 

This is what I use. Works great. Has one temp probe for your smoker/pit, another for the food itself.

http://www.amazon.com/Maverick-Remot...1144824&sr=8-5

Re: What's in your smoker?
 

Thanks for the suggestion!
I see a lot of mixed reviews...not only on the Mavericks, but all remote sensors. I'm a bit sceptical now. Seems like simple technology so I'm surprised they have issues.

Re: What's in your smoker?
 

I purchased a Nu-Temp about 5 years ago with two sensors and I love it. I haven't had any problems with it at all. Has good range, although I don't use if far from the smoker anyway. I can't recall the price honestly, but pretty sure it's more than the $40 target you have. I did a group buy deal on a smoking website years ago. You may check out Virtualweber dot com as they have a section on accessories like this and may get a good response. Steve

Re: What's in your smoker?
 

I've had my Maverick for about 4 years now. No real issues. The range is acceptable, but then I'm going through two walls and a distance of 30-40ft. A few times it loses the pairing, but will at times reconnect on it's own. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another one should this one die.

Re: What's in your smoker?
 

:D...I didn't quite catch your address Earl. There may be a few of us from California who will want to make an impromptu visit;)

Re: What's in your smoker?
 

Re: What's in your smoker?
 

Re: What's in your smoker?
 

The local Ace hardware has a rock & gravel yard, cost me about $3.50 for the pair IIRC. Works quite well and very stable temps. You can use red brick if you must, but if you do, you should wrap them in many layers of aluminum foil as they can shatter.

If you're thinking about doing similar, shoot me a PM, I'll fill you in on some of the other modifications and some operating notes.

Re: What's in your smoker?
 

Once the weather here in Hampton Roads decides to stay nice I'll be firing my smoker up. I'm pretty stoked this year since I'll get a full season in without having to go out to sea. Also the property I'm on has pecan, apple, and peach trees on it. Last year I trimmed them up to keep them out of the neighbors yards and have a good amount of wood to smoke this year, aside from the chunks I pick up at the local hardware store:noon

Re: What's in your smoker?
 

Re: What's in your smoker?
 

I have not had any probs w/ my Mavrick either. However it does like to be closer than about 30 feet to stay connected.

Re: What's in your smoker?
 

I must say the battery life on the Maverick is pretty good. Went out Sunday to smoke some wings (Brad got me craving them). I had forgotten to turn off the remote Maverick unit from my smoke two weeks previous. Still displaying the temp inside the smoker. :tu

Did some mesquite smoked buffalo wings on Sunday. WOW! They turned out so good. Brined them for 1.5 hours before dusting with a bit of seasoning, then into the smoker for 1.5 hours (1 hour of smoke). Threw on a hot grill for 10-15 mins to crisp the skin and finish cooking through. Then doused them in a mix of Franks hot sauce and some melted butter. Can't wait to make the next batch.

Re: What's in your smoker?
 

That sounds tasty Bob!

Re: What's in your smoker?
 

There are a few write-ups on doing mods for these ET-73's on the web. Basically it boots the range greatly. There is also the new Maverick ET-732, which is said to fix all the issues that the ET-73 had (range, switch position, etc).

Re: What's in your smoker?
 

Going to have to look into that. Thanks Wayne.

Re: What's in your smoker?
 

Great stuff guys. Has anybody ever bought any spices from this place http://texasbbqrub.com/texasbbqrub.htm

Re: What's in your smoker?
 

Thanks everyone!

Re: What's in your smoker?
 

Here's what I'm smoking tomorrow.

Re: What's in your smoker?
 

gonna turn on the bradley this weekend for some ribs... last time i did ABT with them... want to try something new this time as a appetizer... any rec?

Re: What's in your smoker?
 

Smoked Lamb Chop

http://i1135.photobucket.com/albums/...9-00-00_12.jpg

http://i1135.photobucket.com/albums/...-46-01_498.jpg

Its amazing.

Re: What's in your smoker?
 

so i'm gonna try hot wings... think 2 hrs at 325 is enough time?

should i put the wings on top or under the ribs?

Re: What's in your smoker?
 

Chicken wings.

Re: What's in your smoker?
 

Cabbage is done. Its amazing

http://i1135.photobucket.com/albums/...-33-40_836.jpg

Re: What's in your smoker?
 

Licking my chops here! :dr :tu

Re: What's in your smoker?
 

Never would've thought about lamb chops. Now just need to pick some up and try myself.

Re: What's in your smoker?
 

Thanks for the website Aaron. I personally have not, but maybe others have...

Re: What's in your smoker?
 

After all the pellet smoker talk this morning, I decided to throw together a quick fatty this afternoon and toss it in the smoker.

Grabbed some ground turkey, seasoned it up to taste like the typical Americanized stadium bratwurst, stuffed it with sauerkraut, cheese, some chopped onions, pickled jalapeño & fresno peppers, relish and mustard; rolled it up, froze it for 30 minutes and tossed it into the smoker with oak, cherry and a touch of apple.

Came out quite good save a bit too much smoke for the brat, it kind of overpowered the bratwurst flavor a bit, but not too much smoke to eat. I need to up the spices next time or use less smoke.

http://img130.imageshack.us/img130/5...krautfatty.jpg
http://img585.imageshack.us/img585/8...rautfatty2.jpg
http://img62.imageshack.us/img62/324...rautfatty3.jpg

Re: What's in your smoker?
 

Adam, that looks fantastic!

Re: What's in your smoker?
 

Looks good, Adam!!!:dr

Re: What's in your smoker?
 

My first attempt at freshly cured and hickory smoked bacon today.
http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n..._5840377_o.jpg

Re: What's in your smoker?
 

Re: What's in your smoker?
 

Thanks guys.

The 'kraut fatty still needs some tweaking, but it'll get there.


Pete, very nice coloration on the bacon. Is that an Alton Brown terracotta pot style smoker?

Re: What's in your smoker?
 

yeah... Didn't have the appropriate terra cotta-ish top for it, so I just plunked my kettle grill cover over it. I had the large bottom already, and a electric element burner, so I thought I would MacGyver it up a bit.
It turned out well, sliced a smidge off the end for sampling off the smoker, a bit salty and extra smoky, but that's normal for an end I suppose/hope. The slab is in the chill chest now for slicing later, so I hope to see happiness. I don't imagine it will kill me in any case, so what the hell.

Re: What's in your smoker?
 

Cool. Have you done other cooks in the terracotta smoker or is this the first? I'd be curious to hear your thoughts on their performance after you've done a few cooks.

I've never made bacon, but I have done other low temp smokes and yes, it's always really smokey around the ends because of the greater exposed surface area.

Re: What's in your smoker?
 

I have been a customer for years and also receive the free monthly newsletter. I just stocked up on more...they are running a special that expires tonight or tomorrow. Thought I would share it with you. My favorite is the grand champion. :)

http://www.texasbbqrubspecials.com/?page_id=2

Re: What's in your smoker?
 

Just the one, sir. Complete rookie (both me and the smoker). I have put in countless hours in front of a grill, but I imagine any Smoker, BBQ'er, or Charcutier would say that doesn't count for spit.

Re: What's in your smoker?
 

To get rid of some of the salt, you can par-boil the bacon in some boiling water. Just a min or so. That'll help draw out some of the salt plus help it crisp up really nicely.

Did you take the skin off before putting in the fridge? It comes off much easier when warm. You could always leave it on and cook up with the bacon. Built in crackin's. :dr

Re: What's in your smoker?
 

Yes, I had read that in Ruhlmans book, and if I have oversalted, that was my attack. Skin was removed, rather well, and with a nice cap left. Kudos to the butcher on that.

Re: What's in your smoker?
 

Keep up the good work Pete. Just don't make the mistake of giving away some of your bacon to family/friends. You'll forever be hounded with the question, "When are we going to get some more of your bacon?".

Re: What's in your smoker?
 

Ok, I gotta get in on the action of the smoking. I currently have a nice gas grill, but I know it's not as good as charcoal. One of my musts for this summer is to smoke up a nice brisket.

Anyway, what would you recommend for a noob smoker-in terms of a grill, a rub, and maybe a lesson on maintaining your temps with some degree of accuracy over long cooking periods without constantly going up/down? Thanks!

Re: What's in your smoker?
 

What's you price range? If price doesn't matter, then go with a good pellet smoker. They are very simple to use.

Rubs are a matter of taste. You can't really go wrong with any of the American Royal winners. Yardbird or Dizzie Dust is a nice one to start with.

Re: What's in your smoker?
 

I like the Cowtown line of rubs and sauces. Check out kansascitybbqstore.com. They have just about anything you could want for BBQ.

Re: What's in your smoker?
 

I did a quick search after posting on amazon and such and it seems like the Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker 18-1/2" model has great reviews. Found it for $246 shipped from another website. That would certainly be feasible and seems to have been discussed here.

Don't know anything about pellet smokers though....would the Weber be a much preferred option over like a Bradley?

Re: What's in your smoker?
 

The one nice thing about the Bradleys, especially the digital version, is they can be a set/forget system. The digital smoke box will regulate the temp for you, plus feed the new puck every 20 mins. You just need to check on it every so often to see if water bowl at the bottom needs cleaning/refilling.

I built the digital equivalent for my Bradley. I have a small box that acts as the temp controller, turning power on/off to the heating element as needed.

Re: What's in your smoker?
 

Sounds nice, but the $400+ price tag is probably more than I want to bear though. Then again, it doesn't take an awfully long time to eat up $100+ in charcoal either.

Re: What's in your smoker?
 

Okay. I took a few shots of my now properly chilled product. From appearances, can you smoker guys tell if I did anything incorrectly? Uneven? Was the smoke too heavy or light? Too fast? Smoke time was roughly 2.5 hours, temp went from 110 or so to about 135-ish, I think. It was windy and 45-50-ish outside yesterday. There was a bit of aspic/gelatin on the slab after cooling, is this desirable?
http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n...t/IMGP1002.jpg
http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n...IMGP1003-2.jpg
http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n...IMGP1007-1.jpg
http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n...t/IMGP1008.jpg
http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n...IMGP1001-1.jpg

Re: What's in your smoker?
 

Looks good to me Pete. I'll have the gelatin on mine as well after spending a night in the fridge. Haven't noticed any issues with it.

Re: What's in your smoker?
 

Yea, they can be pricey. Sometimes you can find them on sale. That's how I got mine for under $300. It was the 4 rack Stainless non digital model. Cabelas was running a special for them at the time.

If you do decide on a Bradley, get the wood pucks from Amazon. Last year they offered a 4 for 3 deal on 48 count boxes. Brought the per puck price down to about $.25.

Re: What's in your smoker?
 

So, this wouldn't suck, eh?
http://tinyurl.com/67xrqt3
Yeah... I need another toy like I need a hole in my head, but I LOOOOVE spending money at Costco.