fishy smell or taste?

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patg

Meat Mopper
Original poster
Sep 14, 2014
196
17
Chicago, Il
Alright all I have a 40" Masterbuilt propane and was challenged by my friend to smoke some lake trout and salmon that he caught last week. Couple of questions:
1.) Good quick brine for both?
2.) Best woods to use and for how long/temp?
3.) Read about an after smell and taste left in the smoker. How do I remedy this?
Any other info would be much appreciated. I did read around here but looking more for a concensus what to and not to dos.
 
Try the search for Salmon.I do Blackfish and Tuna Bellies in my MES40. Once in a while never had a problem with carry over smell.Keep the temps on the lower side.

Richie
 
I'm partial to alder when I smoke fish. Apple works well, too.
If you do end up with a bit of fishy odor, wash the parts of your smoker that are removable, like the racks, drip and water pans, etc. Then put a disposable pie pan full of fresh baking soda in the empty smoker, and let it run at 250° for an hour. Throw away the pan and baking soda after the smoker has cooked completely.
 
I like to use a dry brine 4:1 Sugar to salt (I use brown sugar and kosher salt) mix your brine put a layer of brine in a non reactive container. Put a layer of fish in, cover with more brine repeat. Let brine for 6-8 hours. Remove rinse and place on racks to dry. I season with other seasonings at this point if I want to. Air dry until the surface forms a pellicle. Will be slightly sticky and wet looking, but dry. Then smoke. I prefer to use lower temps up to 180Typically will start around 130-140 for first hour then bump up temps. Take to the texture you like. For wood I prefer to use fruit woods, alder, or white oak.

I will not smoke fish in a smoker I plan to use again soon for other types of meat. Especially if I have smoked tuna. Vinegar water mixture works great for cleaning and removing fishy odors.
 
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