Chicken skin like black shoe leather

wxman

Newbie

Original poster

Jan 5, 2015

4

10

Akron, Ohio

• Feb 26, 2015

• #1

Hi all,

I have 3 smokes under my belt so far so big time newbie. The last smoke i did was chicken quarters. I brined them, then smoked them. I have an MES 30. I didn't put water in my pan for the chicken. Anyway, the skin was a disgusting black leather that couldn't be chewed. And it didn't taste good at all. The meat was incredible though! So what did i do wrong with the chicken? Oh and i should mention i put on a rub with mustard to get it to stick.

Cheers!

Brian

 

bama bbq

Master of the Pit

Sep 24, 2011

2,352

72

Rocket City (Huntsville) AL

• Feb 26, 2015

• #2

The MES really doesn't get hot enough for crisp skin. I like to smoke chicken about 325-350*F for the crisp skin. For the MES user, I recommend smoking it then grilling direct.

 

Last edited: Feb 26, 2015

tagalong

Fire Starter

Aug 4, 2014

61

14

NW GA

• Feb 26, 2015

• #3

I've used mustard on pork, but on poultry I like to use EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil) as a binder for the rub. It also helps to crisp the skin.
As stated above, chicken should be cooked at 325-350F to get crispy skin.

 

oldschoolbbq

Legendary Pitmaster

OTBS Member

Jul 16, 2008

9,359

205

NW Ohio - outside Toledo

• Mar 8, 2015

• #4

I feel like you had too much smoke going on... a billowing white smoke is full of Creosote , which I suspect is the culprit for the color and taste of you last cook.

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• oldschoolbbq
• Sep 6, 2014

thin Blue Smoke is what you need .

 

foamheart

Gone but not forgotten. RIP

OTBS Member

Apr 4, 2013

11,236

3,319

South Louisiana, on the Mississippi River

• Mar 8, 2015

• #5

oldschoolbbq said:

 
I feel like you had too much smoke going on... a billowing white smoke is full of Creosote , which I suspect is the culprit for the color and taste of you last cook.

IMG_0003.JPG

• oldschoolbbq
• Sep 6, 2014

thin Blue Smoke is what you need .

Click to expand...

                                                         

Go sit in the bathroom, close the door. Take a wooden kitchen match and light it. Blow it out. That little bity match put out that much smell. A little smoke goes a long way.

Also the type wood makes a large difference also, some are hard smoke type woods, some medium and yes a few light. They all make a difference.

Would guess though that Master Oldschoolbbq has it.

 

aeroforce100

Smoking Fanatic

Dec 31, 2009

455

13

Beautiful downtown Birdsong, AL

• Mar 9, 2015

• #6

Foamheart said:

 
                                                         

Go sit in the bathroom, close the door. Take a wooden kitchen match and light it. Blow it out. That little bity match put out that much smell. A little smoke goes a long way.

Click to expand...

I usually do that when i use the bathroom anyway.  Wife insists on that!