Thick cut Pork Steaks

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dirtsailor2003

Epic Pitmaster
Original poster
OTBS Member
Oct 4, 2012
21,947
4,224
Bend Oregon
I went to the store yesterday with the full intention of buying a whole chicken to spatchcock for dinner. I searched high and low for a whole chicken. Asked the butcher and he informed me that they will no longer be carrying whole chickens, only cut up chickens!
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As I was browsing for the replacement meat, I noticed that they had pork loins on sale, basically "bogo" So I picked up two 10lb loins and headed home. Our stockpile of Canadian bacon is good. I cut both loins into thick cut chops and vac-packed them grilling!

I ran the mini-wsm with Kingsford blue and apple wood. Averaged 265* for the bulk of the smoke. Then cranked it up to 325* for the last thirty minutes. I did not direct sear on the coals like I normally would. I got distracted towards the end and didn't want to overcook.


This is one loin, sliced 1 1/2" thick. Yields 15 nice pork steaks and a couple end pieces. I place these on the saran covered pan, took two layers with saran in between and on top. Then into the freezer for a hour or two prior to vac-packing. The four steaks on the plate were for dinner.


Seasoned and ready to go. I used a store bought "pork" rub that I was given as a gift.


About half way done, cranked the heat up to 325*. I know the safety police are going to be after me but I do not cook my pork steaks, or steak to an IT, unless it is in roast form. I cook to touch. IF you don't have the touch, please cook your pork steaks to 140* if you wrap and let rest, 145* if you don't.


Fresh off the grill!




Enjoy!
 
That looks very tasty. I like the step by step pics. Whole fryers are everywhere here, what's up with them? Reinhard
Thanks Reinhard!

Well Reinhard this particular store has 3 stores in my town. They stock their stores demographically by the class of population closest to them. So this particular location is on the East side of the tracks where most the minimum wage workers are. With whole chickens selling for $7-9$ each, it is less expensive for the people there to buy the pre-cooked rotisserie chicken in the deli for $5. Granted I could have walked across the parking lot to Whole Foods and bought a $12-$15 dollar chicken but I didn't want to sped that on a chicken. I find it crazy that a non-cooked chicken costs more than the rotisserie. That is exactly why they aren't stocking whole chickens at that store now. People would rather buy the pre-cooked, for ease and because its cheaper. 
 
Looks great!!

I think the [color= rgb(24, 24, 24)]  rotisseried ones are cheaper cause they ran out of time to be sold uncooked..[/color]

[color= rgb(24, 24, 24)]   Craig[/color]
 
Looks real good there DS.....good looking 'choke as well. Pork here in the Valley is going up....went to Costco yesterday looking for butts for sausage making & they are now up to 1.85 a pound. Was 1.75 a pound last week, seems like, and 1.69 a few weeks ago. And I agree with Craig....those whole chickens hit the spinner when they don't sell.
 
I know that a lot of places bring them in already "processed".

http://www.thekitchn.com/how-rotisserie-chicken-became-so-popular-179686

"For all those whom are not informed Costco sells 50 million rotisserie chickens per annum. Big business over a 1/4 billion dollars in one item.. They and Pilgrims Pride have a significant stake in their chicken so members become repeat and volume buyers.

What they do not tell you is their vendor Pilgrim Pride's pump injects all these birds with phosphates, sodium derivatives, and other chemicals not discernible or understood to the average member. Your paying for a host of chemicals so that Pilgrims pride can maintain their business with costco for the purpose of measurably advancing the weights, and marketable appearance to golden brown after they roast these feed lot housed poultry. It is very important if anyone in your family or pets has food sensitivities or any allergies for that matter than you have a right to inquire about which and the % of chemicals that are infused into these birds before you buy, and certainly prior to all ingestion.

The solution Pilgrim Pride uses has some nasty items; yeast extract, oleoresin, sodium tripolyphosphate and other "imitation natural flavorings," most of which go towards giving the chicken that crisp, golden skin. Sodium tripolyphosphate can give you a severe migraine that may become lethal if you are allergic. It is utilized in many foods and the severity of food sensitivity largely remains unregulated by the FDA. You'll find it in crabmeat to prevent the bacterial growth known as shingles, and imitation crab meat (kani kama) which is used in various sushi rolls, including California rolls. Oleoresin is an artificial mixture of essential oils and a resin which is added to their solutions for oil and water solubility much like a marinate.The main reason is to improve the quality of and changes of meat and poultry by irradiation via rotisserie. "A dietary yeast extract could be an effective alternative to antibiotics for poultry producers, according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture." Pilgrims pride does not need a staff of Vets for their business with costco due to their protocols.

There is no 3rd party unbiased certification to this business so they can collectively shape shift the supply chain and biology to suit their botton line without concern or governance for your health or weighted value exchange.

costco gets you on the perceived value of convenience, and volume of the chicken for their price. These birds are supposed to weigh 3 to 4 lbs and they are required by law, but if you request to weigh them you will discover many come in under 3lbs costco will fight you every step of the way as weights and measures disclosure is governed by your state "so make sure that you are consistently getting what your paying for"...

costco knows this case-ready product has an unpriced variable weight 'which is left for the retailer to provide final labeling' Don't take this item or their word for granted remember its a 1/4 billion dollar business to them and their wallets are open for deposit."

 
 
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Looks real good there DS.....good looking 'choke as well. Pork here in the Valley is going up....went to Costco yesterday looking for butts for sausage making & they are now up to 1.85 a pound. Was 1.75 a pound last week, seems like, and 1.69 a few weeks ago. And I agree with Craig....those whole chickens hit the spinner when they don't sell.
Thanks Willie!!!   

Cash and Carry has picnics for 1.29/lb.
 
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