ABT's turning out tough.

masterofmymeat · Sep 8, 2011

Hi All,

I'm going to be throwing a get together here at my house

on Saturday and plan on smoking up some ABT's and have

a question.

The jalepenos don't seem to be as soft as I think they should

be. They still have that snap of being not cooked through. I

want them to be soft but not fall apart. I smoke them at 225*-240*

for about 45 minutes or so. The bacon wrap is done it seems

and the filling is tasty but the jap eludes me. What am I doing wrong?

Any help is appreciated...James

alblancher · Sep 8, 2011

I don't think 45 minutes is long enough. I like to get the bacon as crisp as possible. If you are afraid the bacon will be overcooked you can always add it 30 minutes into the smoke. The japs always seem to get too soft when I do them.

masterofmymeat · Sep 8, 2011

Thanks Al, I'll have to be more patient I guess. These ABT's were a special request

from my brother and I want them to turn out as close to perfect as possible...James

mdboatbum · Sep 8, 2011

I let them go at least an hour and a half. The peppers have the consistency you described and the bacon is crispy but not burnt. My smoker usually settles in around 230˚. I've found that a half pepper per piece, as opposed to using both halves, not only provides twice as many pieces, but also helps the peppers get to the right state of doneness within an hour and a half.
The most important thing is to remember to make double what you think you'll need!! These things aren't called BBQ crack for nothing.

masterofmymeat · Sep 8, 2011

"BBQ Crack"

I like that. Thanks MD, I'll post a Qview after Saturdays event.

alelover · Sep 8, 2011

1 1/2 - 2 hours at 225 I do mine at and they come out perfect.

rowdyrawhide · Sep 8, 2011

Agreed with all above, double your time and you will have to go to rehab.

mdboatbum · Sep 8, 2011

One thing I forgot to mention is to make sure you clean the membrane out well. The white ribs as well as the satiny coating on the inside of the pepper. This will give you the fruitiness of the jalapenos without all the heat. There will still be a little heat, just not as much. I cut them in half and scrape the insides out with a spoon. Latex gloves and some sort of glasses are a must for me during this step, as those little suckers tend to squirt the pepper juice right at my eyes during the scraping.

masterofmymeat · Sep 8, 2011

alelover said:
1 1/2 - 2 hours at 225 I do mine at and they come out perfect.

Thanks Alelover, more time it seems is the answer...James

RowdyRawhide said:
Agreed with all above, double your time and you will have to go to rehab.

...James

SmokinAl · Sep 8, 2011

I smoke them for a least 2 1/2 hours, sometimes 3.

teeznuts · Sep 8, 2011

In an effort to get more ABT's out to a hungry crowd, I tried shortening my ABT smoke to an hour and my jap were still crispy/snappy and not good. Now I stick to 2-2 1/2 hours and they're perfect.

masterofmymeat · Sep 8, 2011

SmokinAl said:
I smoke them for a least 2 1/2 hours, sometimes 3.

I just did not know it had to be that long. These are going to turn out awesome I think. Thanks Al, I'll post

Qview late Saturday or early Sunday Morning...james

masterofmymeat · Sep 8, 2011

teeznuts said:
In an effort to get more ABT's out to a hungry crowd, I tried shortening my ABT smoke to an hour and my jap were still crispy/snappy and not good. Now I stick to 2-2 1/2 hours and they're perfect.

Thanks for the heads up Teeznuts, gonna give those suckers plenty of time...James

jpenny2525 · Sep 8, 2011

Pretty much what all the above says. 2 to 2 1/2 hrs at 225 and they last a few mins before the clan has devoured 2 dozen of these tasty treats. Oh,I also cut them in half and I am not greedy with the bacon when it comes to wrapping them babies up. It helps with keeping the cream cheese from oozing out, and I love BACON!

JP
"I live in my own little world, but that's ok..... they all know me here."

realtorterry · Sep 8, 2011

Don't forget the qview friend:)

venture · Sep 8, 2011

Depending on your true temps at the level where you cook them(I do mine on the warming rack, only time I use it) I would say 1 1/2 to 2 hours would be a minimum. Sometimes I even par cook the bacon a little too!

Keep at it, you will get it down. They are worth it!

Good luck and good smoking.

flash · Sep 9, 2011

Mdboatbum said:
I let them go at least an hour and a half.

Same for me. Now on a gas grill you can do 325º at 45 to 50 minutes, but they are much better on a smoker

padronman · Sep 15, 2011

I do mine at 220F for 1.5 to 2 hours. 45 minutes is not NEARLY long enough.

masterofmymeat · Sep 15, 2011

Thanks All,

PadronMan, yes thanks, I let them go 2.5 hours this past weekend and they

turned out just the way I wanted. My Brother was well pleased and wants me

to show him how to make them now.

I made 30 of the ABT's for the weekend smoke and out of 8 guests total, they

were gone in less than 20 minutes. The moinks were destroyed just as quickly.

I now know the secret to tender but not mushy Japs is not to push the time.

Just ordered the A-Maze-N from Todd today...to the moon Alice...to the moon

James

ABT's turning out tough.

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