Smoker

[fishing tech]

I just put together my new smoker. (recieved as a gift) I have never used one. It say I can put my marinades in the water pan. Is this right? I also was wondering, I have an old bottle of Jack Daniels that I will never drink. Can I soak the wood chips with this or put it in the water bowl? I am planning on doing a small pork roast tomorrow to try it out. Thanks for you input. Keith

[bhs91]

Can you put the marinades in the water pan, yes; should you, not in my opinion. I have done a fair amount of smoking and the best method that I have found is to either inject the meat, or use a rub. A pork roast would be great for both actually. There is a lot of fancy stuff out there for both but I usually just make mine up based on the sauces and seasonings that I have on hand. Get a good injector if you go that route, by good I mean with a needles big enough that won't get clog with chunks of garlic. As far as the JD goes, I would mix it in the marinade and inject it.

Another thing I would recommend is to get some extra coals ready after 2 hours or so to maintain the temp. I know they say that you can add unlit coals, but I like to have started them before I add them for the temp maintenance.

Hope that helps!!

[fishing tech]

Thanks, I have a propane smoker. should I add more wood chips after 2-3 hour? I want to try a turkey for Easter but not sure how long it will take.

[Ufatz]

Hey F'Tech: You can add more chips when the first ones start to look dried up or all curled up.

And there is no sense wasting that J.Daniels. Don't soak chips in it-no point. And I'm certain you can find a needy grown up who will know what to do with the Jack.

[MasterClear]

My experience has been that the added benefit of putting any flavorings in the water pan is non-existant. The water adds some humidity to the process but does not add significant flavor to the meat. Go to the Jack Daniels web site. There are many recipies there that use Jack for an ingredient and one is a BBQ Sauce. The alcohol cooks out in the all the recipies and the Jack does add a nice flavor. BTW - our family likes pork roast injected with French's Yellow Mustard. Just use the nozzle on the squeeze bottle as the needle and slow cook/smoke to temp.

[bhs91]

Yes, add chips after a couple hours, make sure they have been soaked in something, water, apple juice, etc. or they will burn and affect the temp. Low and slow is what you want.

Deep fryed turkey is the best, but it is a lot of work. Check some sites but I go with 3 minutes per pound. Make sure you figure out how much oil to add because if you put in too much and it goes over the sides...All Hell will break loose. I have never had problems but I am very careful. Make sure the kids aren't around and you are out of the wind.

[fishing tech]

I got it going, do I dump the old wood chips out or just add to the box????????

[bhs91]

Just add them.

[fishing tech]

WOW, thanks for the advise everyone. Watch a race, drink beer, and cook. It turned out great!!! I think I will be making some omlets with leftovers for dinner tomorrow night. Thanks again for the help.