First smoke. Turkey legs and ABT's w/Qview

[shakyspillcus]

I did my first smoke yesterday and I learned a few things fast. Smoking takes time. My wife was shooting for dinner around 7ish. we ate dinner at 9ish. I brined my legs at 11 flipped them over at 12:30 and pulled them at 3.

Got the smoker going good, nice bed of hickory coals (still have a yellow flame, but not as bad as before) put the legs in at 3:30, got me a glass of tea and sit back and enjoyed a nice spring day.

Around 5 my temp was 145 and wasn't budging so I thought something was wrong, opened the door to check the chipbox and flame, yep still there. watched my thermometer drop to 150 on the door and my meat remote drop 2 degrees (much cussing ensued)

Got it back up to temp and noticed no more smoke, well I will peek really quick to see if my chips are good, open the door quickly, no chips. grab a handful throw them in there while watching gauges drop faster then my ten year old can bail on chores. Nooooo (more cussing)

Neighbor smells the Q and hears the cussing brings me a beer and tells me her husband used to smoke and leave the door closed. She sat with me for a hour til my wife got home to make sure I didn't open it anymore.

Hit 160 degrees wrapped the legs in foil and put the ABT's and legs in (never cooked with these kind of peppers before) and cranked it up to 250. By this time it's pushing 8:30 and wife is telling the boys that dad has delayed dinner by fanning the door and would they like something from McDonald's?

Me: Woman, you question my Manly abilities? Wife: no hun, I question if we are going to eat tonight? Check temp on legs 253 and look at the Abt's, yea they look done, I think. but I won't admit that to her Hah!

Peppers were undercooked and the wife informed me I'm supposed to peel these type of peppers (well that would have been helpful to know before I packed a ton of cheese and bacon in there) The legs turned out a little too spicy, my neighbor loved them but my boys said they were too spicy. The neighbor and wife said overall the legs were great and nice smoke ring.

All in all it was a good day and a fun smoke.

 

[shakyspillcus]

 

[mr mac]

Good things come to those that wait! Looks like you did okay on your first round. You'll only get better as time progresses.

Mac

 

[walle]

Shaky, you could be my neighbor any day!
Damn good looking grub!
On the peppers those look like pablano's... if they are, you're going to have one hell of a time trying to peel those. I've not tried them as an ABT, but I don't think most folks do peel them prior to smoking them - I know I don't on the Japs I've used.

Hang in there, bud - I've always found that if you starve them down a little when you try something new, it always goes over better!

 

[flyfishjeep]

Those are some good looking turkey legs! Bravo for holding out as long as possible and props to the neighbor lady for bringing a beer to a Q'er in need.
The best thing about smoking is the practice followed by the tasting.

I'm looking forward to your future smokes, keep it up!

 

[rbranstner]

Yea I have learned that you always plan for extra time because it always takes longer than you think. If supper is at 7 I am shooting for 5 then its usually done around 6 or so and I just foil the food until its time to eat.

 

[bbrock]

Looks like a job well done after all..I have found myself in the same boat on the time deal before. My wife and I will have people over and the food is not done yet so she is asking how much longer and I tell her not long then I hear well everyone is waiting on you. But after I pull it out and get it ready I hear that was wouth the wait..lol Oh by the way thanks for the Qview it really looked great..

 

[rbranstner]

Yes the old saying goes. "If your looking you aint cooking" haha I wish my smokers had windows so I could check on the meat more often. haha

 

[wingman]

Great looking Q! I can't help but to take a peak from time to time. Or even reach in a steal a burnet end or two.