First Smoke in New Brick Smoker

pjnla

Smoke Blower

Original poster

Feb 11, 2013

82

14

Los Angeles, CA

• May 5, 2013

• #1

So I have been waiting for the last month and a couple weeks to actually put something in the smoker I just built. I had to wait for the mortar to cure before I did any cooking in it and the wait has been killing me. Well today is today. Gonna start off easy with some chicken parts today and work my way up. Got a pile of pecan and apple wood yesterday so I'm all set. Will post some pics of the finished smoker in a few.

 

woodcutter

Master of the Pit

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Jul 2, 2012

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Marathon Wisconsin

• May 5, 2013

• #2

Congratulations on your smoker. That would be a hard thing to wait for.

 

wes w

Master of the Pit

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Jul 31, 2012

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NW North Carolina

• May 5, 2013

• #3

 

seenred

Epic Pitmaster

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Feb 9, 2009

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N.E. Oklahoma

• May 5, 2013

• #4

Sounds great! Good luck, keep us posted...

Red

 

pjnla

Smoke Blower

Original poster

Thread starter

Feb 11, 2013

82

14

Los Angeles, CA

• May 5, 2013

• #5

image.jpg

• pjnla
• May 5, 2013

The finished smoker.

 

themule69

Epic Pitmaster

Oct 7, 2012

12,884

350

live north of fort smith arkansas between alma and

• May 5, 2013

• #6

the smoker looks great.

i see many yesrs of great Q.

happy smoken.

David

 

dirtsailor2003

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Oct 4, 2012

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Bend Oregon

• May 5, 2013

• #7

Great looking smoker! Can't wait to see how it works!

 

pjnla

Smoke Blower

Original poster

Thread starter

Feb 11, 2013

82

14

Los Angeles, CA

• May 5, 2013

• #8

 a couple shots of the main firebox

firebox.jpg

• pjnla
• May 5, 2013

firebox 2.jpg

• pjnla
• May 5, 2013

 

pjnla

Smoke Blower

Original poster

Thread starter

Feb 11, 2013

82

14

Los Angeles, CA

• May 5, 2013

• #9

first shots on the smoker

first shots of the bird.jpg

• pjnla
• May 5, 2013

yeah buddy

first shots of the bird 2.jpg

• pjnla
• May 5, 2013

and there you go.jpg

• pjnla
• May 5, 2013

i am pretty old school when smoking and dont use a lot of devices, but im starting to love this thing

remote device.jpg

• pjnla
• May 5, 2013

 

pjnla

Smoke Blower

Original poster

Thread starter

Feb 11, 2013

82

14

Los Angeles, CA

• May 5, 2013

• #10

All and all not too bad for the first run. The chicken was a little on the dry side, not too much, but not as juicy as usual. I think I left it on a bit too long. Will have to do some trial and error to get the timing right. The flavor was good, but will be better in the future. To be truthful I was so hyped up to actual cook with the thing that I didn't do any of my usual prep on my meat. A little salt and pepper and garlic powder and on it went. Was a lot of fun I must admit. Im gonna have to work with keeping the temperature in optimal range during longer smokes. I am pretty sure I will be going 95% wood from now on. Maybe a littel coal to get things going, and all wood from there. That's kinda cool so I can talk crap to my neighbor that uses an electric smoker (no offense to any electric smoker users out there) but I'm trying the BBQ purist route and going all wood will really help me master the craft. But on the other hand, wood isn't as cheap out here as it is in other parts of the country. A box of pecan splits costs me about $25 bucks. I may have to drive a couple hours outside the city to get myself a truckload for a good price.

 

wes w

Master of the Pit

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Jul 31, 2012

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NW North Carolina

• May 6, 2013

• #11

PJ,  looks awesome man!  

I use a chimney of charcoal to get things going.   Mostly wood from there on.  Toward the end of a long smoke wood is almost to much.  I go back to 4 or 5 charcoal and maybe a small split at a time.  You don't need a lot of heat at the end of a long smoke.  The cold mass is hot at that point. 

I've also found that smaller splits burn better, but they also burn quicker.  I also mix oak into mine after 160 IT. 

I guess I take for granted living in the country.   We have wood to spare.

Awesome smoker!   Your going to love it!

 

pjnla

Smoke Blower

Original poster

Thread starter

Feb 11, 2013

82

14

Los Angeles, CA

• May 12, 2013

• #12

Thanks Wes. It was fun trying it out the first time. A lot of people have been raving about pecan and apple wood mix. I think I will try that for a while and see what happens. I have been using mesquite and hickory forever, so I think I will branch out a little. I was reading a lot about how the pros use post oak. May try that next. When I was in Texas, my pop would just go find some wood. I don't think he ever paid for it. Everyone just kinda had a pile of oak, hickory, or something laying in the yard. Having to go pay for it sucks. I got a truck so I will drive out of the city and get a truckload for cheap. Building a wood rack will give me another reason to break out the tools.