OT: Smoking
... MEAT
Question for all you red-blooded Viking fans:
I've had a Green Mountain Grill smoker for 3-4 years now and it's great. Fires up, holds temp, and yields some great barbecue. So much so, that I'm thinking of upgrading to something nicer like a Yoder or an offset smoker.
Do any of you have a smoker you like and would recommend? Or even a recent recipe you've done that you'd recommend? I did corned beef brisket over the weekend that was great, had reubens last night. I have fun with it and it's a hobby I can easily do while having young kids, since I'm tethered to them/the house most weekends anyway.
So, what should I buy next? For ref: My GMG cost about $600 at the time and the newer version of the same model is going for $1,000 MSRP now. Looking to spend a bit more if it's something that will last a decade.
Mine's a pellet grill but I'm open to charcoal as well. Don't really need gas recs since that's a different beast.
Thanks and happy grilling to all who do so!
I don't think smoking is off topic for football. :) 
So I'm not a big smoker of meats....but eating them is another story. So when I lived in KC, a neighbor who I was a good buddy with LOVED to smoke meat. Had a really nice smoker, etc. But he never ate what he smoked. Ever. So he'd always invite my wife and I and a few other neighbors in our cul-de-sac over to eat. We'd bring the beer, sides, dessert, etc. I mean this went on almost every weekend from May to like early October. He was part of my home poker group, so we were pretty close. Good dude.
Now THAT'S how you smoke meat. :p
@"StickyBun" said: So I'm not a big smoker of meats....but eating them is another story. So when I lived in KC, a neighbor who I was a good buddy with LOVED to smoke meat. Had a really nice smoker, etc. But he never ate what he smoked. Ever. So he'd always invite my wife and I and a few other neighbors in our cul-de-sac over to eat. We'd bring the beer, sides, dessert, etc. I mean this went on almost every weekend from May to like early October.Now THAT'S how you smoke meat. :p
I never liked BBQ until I went to Kansas City last fall with my son for a baseball tournament. I think the place we went to was called Slaps. Oh my.

@"MaroonBells" said:@"StickyBun" said: So I'm not a big smoker of meats....but eating them is another story. So when I lived in KC, a neighbor who I was a good buddy with LOVED to smoke meat. Had a really nice smoker, etc. But he never ate what he smoked. Ever. So he'd always invite my wife and I and a few other neighbors in our cul-de-sac over to eat. We'd bring the beer, sides, dessert, etc. I mean this went on almost every weekend from May to like early October.Now THAT'S how you smoke meat. :p
I never liked BBQ until I went to Kansas City last fall with my son for a baseball tournament. I think the place we went to was called Slaps. Oh my.
Yeah, I moved from KC about a year before Slaps came in. I loved Arthur Bryants, Oklahoma Joe's, Gates. A lot more places opened up over the last 11 years since I moved. Strouds used to be an excellent place for fried chicken, etc. but it didn't survive COVID.
Glad this thread has got some traction! I thought the interest might overlap but it's still fun to see. I'm smoking a whole duck for the first time today. Gonna put it on in an hour or so for an early dinner (hopefully). Quack quack!

@"SouthCarolinaViking" said:
JEEZ! Salute!! This guy ain't playing around!
@"JimmyinSD" said: Anything running on charcoal, drums, eggs or other ceramics,whatever, look into this setup, basically what PF was talking about, just a little more here.https://www.thermoworks.com/signals/
Signals is app controlled via wifi and will operate a remote combustion fan, the Billows product that PF mentioned. It has 4 probes, 1 for the fan and smoke chamber, and 3 for meat or whatever. They have adapters to fit various cooker setups. I also use their thermopens, I have probably bought close to 10 of them so I have them everywhere and give as gifts. Get the new thermopoen one, it's got a backlit display and wakes up with movement , as well as a rotating display.I still use my UDS , drum smokers, as they always seem to make pretty damn good meat, but they got even better and easier with the electrics listed above
We use the Fireboard on our Kamado, which is a similar concept (temp probes and a fan) and it's pretty great.
@"StickyBun" said:@"MaroonBells" said:@"StickyBun" said: So I'm not a big smoker of meats....but eating them is another story. So when I lived in KC, a neighbor who I was a good buddy with LOVED to smoke meat. Had a really nice smoker, etc. But he never ate what he smoked. Ever. So he'd always invite my wife and I and a few other neighbors in our cul-de-sac over to eat. We'd bring the beer, sides, dessert, etc. I mean this went on almost every weekend from May to like early October.Now THAT'S how you smoke meat. :p
I never liked BBQ until I went to Kansas City last fall with my son for a baseball tournament. I think the place we went to was called Slaps. Oh my.
Yeah, I moved from KC about a year before Slaps came in. I loved Arthur Bryants, Oklahoma Joe's, Gates. A lot more places opened up over the last 11 years since I moved. Strouds used to be an excellent place for fried chicken, etc. but it didn't survive COVID.
My son lived in KC for about 5 years and we'd go there often. Oklahoma Joe's ribs are frickin' the bomb - love them! The crown prime rib at Jack Stack's is like nothing I've ever had. One rib fills you up - it's so delicious my mouth is watering as I type.![]()
@"StickyBun" said:@"MaroonBells" said:@"StickyBun" said: So I'm not a big smoker of meats....but eating them is another story. So when I lived in KC, a neighbor who I was a good buddy with LOVED to smoke meat. Had a really nice smoker, etc. But he never ate what he smoked. Ever. So he'd always invite my wife and I and a few other neighbors in our cul-de-sac over to eat. We'd bring the beer, sides, dessert, etc. I mean this went on almost every weekend from May to like early October.Now THAT'S how you smoke meat. :p
I never liked BBQ until I went to Kansas City last fall with my son for a baseball tournament. I think the place we went to was called Slaps. Oh my.
Yeah, I moved from KC about a year before Slaps came in. I loved Arthur Bryants, Oklahoma Joe's, Gates. A lot more places opened up over the last 11 years since I moved. Strouds used to be an excellent place for fried chicken, etc. but it didn't survive COVID.
I'm happy to see fried chicken sort of making a comeback. For 20 years, outside of the one or two soul-food joints, it was really hard to find a restaurant in Denver that even had fried chicken on the menu. But I'll blame that on all the Subaru-driving, mountain-climbing, kale-eating health nuts in the area.
@"pattersaur" said: Glad this thread has got some traction! I thought the interest might overlap but it's still fun to see. I'm smoking a whole duck for the first time today. Gonna put it on in an hour or so for an early dinner (hopefully). Quack quack!
If you have a good duck recipe, let me know. I’ve got a duck in my freezer that I’ve been
putting off just because I wasn’t sure of a good recipe to use on it.
@"HappyViking" said:@"StickyBun" said:@"MaroonBells" said:@"StickyBun" said: So I'm not a big smoker of meats....but eating them is another story. So when I lived in KC, a neighbor who I was a good buddy with LOVED to smoke meat. Had a really nice smoker, etc. But he never ate what he smoked. Ever. So he'd always invite my wife and I and a few other neighbors in our cul-de-sac over to eat. We'd bring the beer, sides, dessert, etc. I mean this went on almost every weekend from May to like early October.Now THAT'S how you smoke meat. :p
I never liked BBQ until I went to Kansas City last fall with my son for a baseball tournament. I think the place we went to was called Slaps. Oh my.
Yeah, I moved from KC about a year before Slaps came in. I loved Arthur Bryants, Oklahoma Joe's, Gates. A lot more places opened up over the last 11 years since I moved. Strouds used to be an excellent place for fried chicken, etc. but it didn't survive COVID.
My son lived in KC for about 5 years and we'd go there often. Oklahoma Joe's ribs are frickin' the bomb - love them! The crown prime rib at Jack Stack's is like nothing I've ever had. One rib fills you up - it's so delicious my mouth is watering as I type.
Love burnt ends....can't always get them.
I'm a huge fan of KC BBQ. 'nuff said.
I have an older Traeger smoker...it has a hard time keeping it's temp consistent, but still turns out great smoked meat.
I have a separate gas grill...it has its place.
Last weekend, I did a rack of Baby Back Ribs differently than I've done before, shockingly in my oven, but they turned out better than any I've ever done. The secret I think was three things:
1) I was able to monitor the temp with my bluetooth MeatStick. Kept it between 193 and 202.
2) I had read a thread where the overwhelming recommendations were a) don't open the oven door to check on it...one guy had checked it every 15 minutes and 90% of the posters (and lovers of smoked meat) admonished him for ruining his efforts, and b) cover roasting pan with aluminum foil and steam.
3) One of the posters on that thread suggested to use apple juice instead of water to steam it. I didn't have apple juice, but i had apple cider.
I used two Costco rubs on an infused olive oil coating...one was their store brand Rib Rub. The other was their Mesquite seasoning.
Coated it and roasted open for 40 minutes at the end with Kraft KC Masterpiece BBQ sauce...the closest thing I've ever found to real KC BBQ flavor.
It was fabulous.
@"Montana Tom" said: I'm a huge fan of KC BBQ. 'nuff said. I have an older Traeger smoker...it has a hard time keeping it's temp consistent, but still turns out great smoked meat. I have a separate gas grill...it has its place.Last weekend, I did a rack of Baby Back Ribs differently than I've done before, shockingly in my oven, but they turned out better than any I've ever done. The secret I think was three things:
1) I was able to monitor the temp with my bluetooth MeatStick. Kept it between 193 and 202.
2) I had read a thread where the overwhelming recommendations were a) don't open the oven door to check on it...one guy had checked it every 15 minutes and 90% of the posters (and lovers of smoked meat) admonished him for ruining his efforts, and b) cover roasting pan with aluminum foil and steam.
3) One of the posters on that thread suggested to use apple juice instead of water to steam it. I didn't have apple juice, but i had apple cider.I used two Costco rubs on an infused olive oil coating...one was their store brand Rib Rub. The other was their Mesquite seasoning.
Coated it and roasted open for 40 minutes at the end with Kraft KC Masterpiece BBQ sauce...the closest thing I've ever found to real KC BBQ flavor.
It was fabulous.
I like KC Masterpiece as well, Tom, but its a much sweeter sauce than some people like. Its really for the masses. But I love it.
I'm the kind of guy that really enjoys omakase (sashimi flights at the chef's discretion) but also has no problem loving the hell out of a vending machine ham salad sandwich. Drives my wife nuts, lol. One night its scallops and risotto and the next I'll go nuts on Velveeta Mac and cheese. I like what I like.
@"StickyBun" said:@"Montana Tom" said: I'm a huge fan of KC BBQ. 'nuff said. I have an older Traeger smoker...it has a hard time keeping it's temp consistent, but still turns out great smoked meat. I have a separate gas grill...it has its place.Last weekend, I did a rack of Baby Back Ribs differently than I've done before, shockingly in my oven, but they turned out better than any I've ever done. The secret I think was three things:
1) I was able to monitor the temp with my bluetooth MeatStick. Kept it between 193 and 202.
2) I had read a thread where the overwhelming recommendations were a) don't open the oven door to check on it...one guy had checked it every 15 minutes and 90% of the posters (and lovers of smoked meat) admonished him for ruining his efforts, and b) cover roasting pan with aluminum foil and steam.
3) One of the posters on that thread suggested to use apple juice instead of water to steam it. I didn't have apple juice, but i had apple cider.I used two Costco rubs on an infused olive oil coating...one was their store brand Rib Rub. The other was their Mesquite seasoning.
Coated it and roasted open for 40 minutes at the end with Kraft KC Masterpiece BBQ sauce...the closest thing I've ever found to real KC BBQ flavor.
It was fabulous.
I like KC Masterpiece as well, Tom, but its a much sweeter sauce than some people like. Its really for the masses. But I love it.I'm the kind of guy that really enjoys omakase (sashimi flights at the chef's discretion) but also has no problem loving the hell out of a vending machine ham salad sandwich. Drives my wife nuts, lol. One night its scallops and risotto and the next I'll go nuts on Velveeta Mac and cheese. I like what I like.
You're very brave or very stoopid lol!I love Velveeta Mac and Cheese too -- the gold box (not the blue)
@"purplefaithful" said:@"StickyBun" said:@"Montana Tom" said: I'm a huge fan of KC BBQ. 'nuff said. I have an older Traeger smoker...it has a hard time keeping it's temp consistent, but still turns out great smoked meat. I have a separate gas grill...it has its place.Last weekend, I did a rack of Baby Back Ribs differently than I've done before, shockingly in my oven, but they turned out better than any I've ever done. The secret I think was three things:
1) I was able to monitor the temp with my bluetooth MeatStick. Kept it between 193 and 202.
2) I had read a thread where the overwhelming recommendations were a) don't open the oven door to check on it...one guy had checked it every 15 minutes and 90% of the posters (and lovers of smoked meat) admonished him for ruining his efforts, and b) cover roasting pan with aluminum foil and steam.
3) One of the posters on that thread suggested to use apple juice instead of water to steam it. I didn't have apple juice, but i had apple cider.I used two Costco rubs on an infused olive oil coating...one was their store brand Rib Rub. The other was their Mesquite seasoning.
Coated it and roasted open for 40 minutes at the end with Kraft KC Masterpiece BBQ sauce...the closest thing I've ever found to real KC BBQ flavor.
It was fabulous.
I like KC Masterpiece as well, Tom, but its a much sweeter sauce than some people like. Its really for the masses. But I love it.I'm the kind of guy that really enjoys omakase (sashimi flights at the chef's discretion) but also has no problem loving the hell out of a vending machine ham salad sandwich. Drives my wife nuts, lol. One night its scallops and risotto and the next I'll go nuts on Velveeta Mac and cheese. I like what I like.
You're very brave or very stoopid lol!I love Velveeta Mac and Cheese too -- the gold box (not the blue)
Stupid for sure, PF! :pI also love a cheap, stale ice cream sandwich....like from a dollar store or Walmart. And then love foie gras. Escargot. Followed up by expired orange slices candy from Dollar Tree, with some cherry sours I found unopened in the parking lot, lol. Zero shame in my game, brother.
For those interested in trying the thermoworks smoke controller it is currently only $144 plus shipping for the 4 channel model. I recommend the purple model.
Me when I go to a fancy restaurant pic.twitter.com/QwlDColE4C
— Historic Vids (@historyinmemes) March 26, 2024
@"MaroonBells" said: https://twitter.com/historyinmemes/status/1772745647440957614?s=20Some of the best cheeseburgers you'll ever have are by high end restaurants. Now is that something you want to order however in that context? Almost always no. There is a VERY nice restaurant called Buccan in Palm Beach and they have a hot dog on the menu, lol. Its on the appetizer menu but you can't believe how many people order it.
@"StickyBun" said:To me, context is everything. When I would go backpacking in the Beartooths, I would always put in my car a cooler with ice, a chocolate bar and a Coke for when I got off the trail. Then I'd drive to the closest mountain town--usually Absarokee, MT--and get a cheeseburger from an old fashioned roadside drive-in. That's the best cheeseburger I've ever had...every time.@"MaroonBells" said: https://twitter.com/historyinmemes/status/1772745647440957614?s=20 Some of the best cheeseburgers you'll ever have are by high end restaurants. Now is that something you want to order however in that context? Almost always no. There is a VERY nice restaurant called Buccan in Palm Beach and they have a hot dog on the menu, lol. Its on the appetizer menu but you can't believe how many people order it.
Edit Post (mod action — author will see a notice)
Warn Poster
Suspend User (3 days)
The user will be suspended for 3 days and will receive an email with the reason and information about how to appeal.