first brisket today

[tpicki]

I finally got to the point of doing a brisket. Beer butts and Pork tenderloin went great. Just waiting for the smoker to get to 200 and away we go! It's been an hour and only 150?? I'm heating up another chimney now to hopefully help. Any input? I have to figure out how to make pics smaller to attach

 

[richtee]

More air at the fire end... get some flow going.

 

[smokebuzz]

Most likely air flow problem. You are better off with a small hot fire than a large smoldering fire. There have been times i have had to put a fan blowing into my firebox vent to keep it roleing

 

[tpicki]

Thanks. If the chimney is open all of the way will this help or do you loose too much heat?

 

[richtee]

It's kind of a trade-off. Yes, you lose heat, but then again, without a certain amount of airflow, you choke the coals. Experience..keep track of vent settings and resultant temps.

 

[tpicki]

Finally some pics....I had to put up an awning because of rain today! Also the brisket....rubbed and ready!

 

[packplantpath]

Nice! Wish I had a free weekend to smoke something. Seems like everybody is getting married this summer and I have not had a free weekend in 2 months. I may just have to take a day off work to get my smoke fix.

 

[vince]

Very nice, have a great relaxing day of smoking and eating.

 

[tpicki]

Thanks for all the well wishes and help. I finally got the temp up but it seems the only way is to keep adding Hickory chunks?? I just started a new chimney of lump so I'll have coals in 40 min or so. Do you guys use wood only? Should I just keep feeding chunks? Thanks y'all are great!

 

[vince]

I'm new when it comes to smoking, I used lump charcoal from beginning to end to maintain the heat, and add small amounts of wood for the smoke, I'm still learning

 

[richtee]

Vince is on the ball here...smoke it, don't choke it! If you smell smoke...yer smoking! Look up the "preburn" too.

 

[smoke freak]

Man, them new chargrillers are sure purtty. Mine is rusty and stained. The more it cooks, the more I love it.

I start a good pile of coals then add splits to build a small (cant get too big in that little firebox) clean burning fire. Always keep the exhaust open and regulate heat with air inlet. I some times keep the drawer open bout 1/8" to get more air in to the fire. My wood is split some what smaller than what you would throw in a fireplace. I think chunks oughta work as well. Also when I add wood I usually add a couple chunks of unlit charcoal. It helps keep a good bed of coals and regulates heat without spiking temps.

Good luck!

 

[tpicki]

Great tips! The chunk burns fast but gets the heat up. Adding the lump to the burning chunks is a great idea as well as pulling the fire box drawer out a bit!

 

[bonedadddy]

Here is an Answer to a question and comment on the pic :-)

Are you using Microsoft Windows XP??? (sorry to mention the M Word for any of you linux geeks out there :-) :-)

If you are, you can go to http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/d...powertoys.mspx

Download the Image Resizer and install it (pretty quick download...very fast install)...

Then you can just right click on any pic....and choose ReSize picture...Cant beat it!!!

Anyway...Heres the comment on the second pic...

Man do I wish I had a backyard that opened into woods like that...I bet you cut all your smoking wood yourself!!!!

Great pics...Hope the tip helps, and good luck today! Look forward to some qview later!!!

 

[tpicki]

Thanks Bone Daddy! I have a MAC and just figured out how to edit the pics. It's really easy once you get it. The pic is a bit deceiving. We live in a sub division and what you see are actually empty lots waiting to have houses.

I BOUGHT all of my lump/wood. I wouldn't know what wood to chop/use in the smoker and would probably end up with something toxic! Thanks for all of the support. You guys SMOKE!

 

[bonedadddy]

Haha, awesome...and now I have offended...ehehehehe naw, I have some experience with macs, and I suppose they are alright...hehe

Anyway, you ought to search for what Hickory or Apple trees looks like and go exploring in those woods...you may find there is plenty of deadfall to gather that would be perfect for smoking!

Good Luck,