Memorial Day Plans?

[Aqua Letifer]

Filing emails and text messages, burning boxes, job search.

Maybe watch Blade Runner.

[LuFins Dad]

@Aqua-Letifer Hmmm, that sounds suspicious.

[Mik]

Smoking a chuck roast at the moment. Haven't decided whether it will be slices or tacos.

[LuFins Dad]

@Mik What kind of smoker do you have?

[Mik]

I have a PK grill (cast aluminum box grill) and a Good One Open Range, which is a larger over and under unit. The Open Range is for larger longer smokes but the PK is my go to and the one i am using today. I so have a Broil King Signet 320 gas grill.

Get a PK and Finley's grandchildren will use it.

I may get a stick burner one day but I haven't found one I want yet. Good ones are more than I am willing to pay.

[Copper]

Golf.

Find vole holes, poison voles.

Get some chicken parm from the takeout place.

[Mik]

The moles around here seem to follow the cicadas. You are, I believe due for a 17 year emergence this year.

[LuFins Dad]

@Mik I've heard nothing but good things about PK, but my primary goal is something for 6 hour and longer smokes. As for a basic grill, my Weber's treated me well and I can pull off most shorter cooks just fine. A PK may be the ultimate replacement for the Weber, but that's not what I'm looking for yet.

I'd love something like a Jambo, but that's way too much to invest yet. I was thinking about getting a basic Oklahoma Joe offset and sealing it up. My understanding is that if you put a little extra work into them, they can be quite nice for the money. If you just use it straight from the factory, otoh, you will be disappointed. Then my research started taking me to barrel smokers. I'm so friggin confused...

[Mik]

If you have a Weber kettle you have no need for a PK. Both are wonderful grills. I do recommend a Vortex for the Weber..I understand they make for the best wings. Sadly they do not work on a box grill.

If you are considering an OK Joe, you might want to look at Old Country smokers at Academy (closest to you in NC). Their Smokehouse vertical is on my short list for stick/charcoal burners. About $600. If you really want a stick burner their Brazos is a great unit for $1K. 1/4" steel, but you have to tend the fire on those constantly. Looks like the Smokehouse is not in stock right now, but I like verticals because they take up so much less real estate.

If you want a set it and forget it a pellet grill might be for you.

[Mik]

Also a Slow-N-Sear for the Weber to do two-zone smoking.

A Vortex:

Slow-N-Sear

[Aqua Letifer]

How do those work?

[Mik]

Well, the vortex concentrates very high heat in the center, which make for great indirect smoking or grilling in a circle - like wings. The Slow-N-Sear concentrates the heat on one side also for indirect but with either of them you can put the meat directly above for a fast sear at high heat.

[Mik]

Dry brining - 2.8 lbs, grass fed local. Just salt and pepper

2.5 hours in the smoke at 260, in the pan with stock, pale ale and butter at 155, 1.5 hours at 325, 208, probes butter. Now to rest 45 minutes or so.

[Aqua Letifer]

Damn, that's delicious-looking.

[Horace]

beautiful

[George K]

And you didn't invite me...again.

[Mik]

You are never not invited.

[Mik]

BUT... it turned out fantastic. The pan juices ad leftover beef will make fantastic smoky chili tomorrow. We ordered a big Caesar salad from our favorite Italian place.

[Jolly]

@Mik said in Memorial Day Plans?:

If you have a Weber kettle you have no need for a PK. Both are wonderful grills. I do recommend a Vortex for the Weber..I understand they make for the best wings. Sadly they do not work on a box grill.

If you are considering an OK Joe, you might want to look at Old Country smokers at Academy (closest to you in NC). Their Smokehouse vertical is on my short list for stick/charcoal burners. About $600. If you really want a stick burner their Brazos is a great unit for $1K. 1/4" steel, but you have to tend the fire on those constantly. Looks like the Smokehouse is not in stock right now, but I like verticals because they take up so much less real estate.

If you want a set it and forget it a pellet grill might be for you.

Ugly drum, perhaps?

https://pitbarrelcooker.com/products/18-5-classic-pit-barrel-cooker

[Mik]

A PBC or UDS are great cookers and very reasonable. I think you need some electronic equipment to keep them honest on long cooks. Actually the OK Joe Bronco is a good choice - great reviews and it has wheels, a decided advantage.