New smoker and 1st attempt at pulled pork

[cle_smoker]

I don't put any sauce on mine in the serving dish. I let the person making the sandwich decide how much they want. What smoke wood did you use?

[tuxpuff]

Originally Posted by cle_smoker

What smoke wood did you use?

Hickory and apple. It's amazing how sweet the apple smells when I would put in some chunks.

[cle_smoker]

Originally Posted by tuxpuff

Hickory and apple. It's amazing how sweet the apple smells when I would put in some chunks.

I did some ribs a few weeks back with Peach and Apple. First time I had used Peach and it was phenomenal.

[Doctorossi]

Originally Posted by tuxpuff

Hickory and apple.

Good call, man. The multi-wood action is the best!

[MedicCook]

I am so hungry right now.

[tuxpuff]

It ran 200-225 the entire time. And I agree...I always get the fattiest pork butt available. Now I'm hungry!

[mosesbotbol]

Originally Posted by tuxpuff

It ran 200-225 the entire time. And I agree...I always get the fattiest pork butt available. Now I'm hungry!

I find that it's the cool down period is what makes the pulled pork really tendor (assuming it's fork tendor before taking off). I'll cover the butt on a pan with ceranwrap for 3 hours before pulling.


Some tie the butt with twine to keep it together and heat even. I am going to do that on my next one as I am not sold on it, but it makes sense.

[mosesbotbol]

Please tell me you had the exhaust open when the food went on there. Try to never choke the exhaust, only the intake to control temps.

Nice looking unit!

[tuxpuff]

Originally Posted by mosesbotbol

Please tell me you had the exhaust open when the food went on there. Try to never choke the exhaust, only the intake to control temps.

Nice looking unit!

I usually keep it 1/2 way open. Can you elaborate why you would not want to choke it? I do control temp by using the intake.

[LooseCard]

First.... NICE JOB!
I started to drool, for pete's sake.

Originally Posted by tuxpuff

I usually keep it 1/2 way open. Can you elaborate why you would not want to choke it? I do control temp by using the intake.

The exhaust closure is bad, control from the intake is definitely better.

By using the Intake, you are controlling the fire.
You will learn better control, and save yourself the wood and fuel that would otherwise be a waste.
You'll learn the difference between a light smoke and a heavy smoke as well. You'll also be able to cook at even lower temps, as the heat will exit easier.

I've run at 180-200 until the meet hit the upper range, to add to the smoke penetration. One of my last smokes took 18 hrs, and had an unbelieveable taste.

And, by the way, hickory and apple or hickory and cherry are the best combos for pulled pork!

[mosesbotbol]

Originally Posted by LooseCard

The exhaust closure is bad, control from the intake is definitely better.

By using the Intake, you are controlling the fire.

Exactly. It's all about controlling the fire. Outside of that, BBQ is set and forget.

Making food smoky is no problem when all it cooks with is wood and charcoal. Actually it's harder to keep it from tasting too smoky.
Wood type and ratio to charcoal determines that.

For sure you do not want stale smoke inside. I never choke the exhaust unless I am cold smoking and that may burn just 10 minutes.