as title. I can have a real crappy day at work and I start thinking about smoking a nice Boston butt or any thing for that matter. It's like I find my "happy place" lol.
how many people find smoking meat and BBQ relaxing?
- Thread starter rdwhahb
- Start date
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Me....Me! IN the back waving my hands! I love the whole process! It's almost Zen time for me.
Kat
Kat
Well since you asked...
This is what it is like for me when cooking on my pit.
You get up before the sun, head out to the pit, it is dark but the darkness is welcome, it makes you feel like you are in your own world.
You open up the firebox door and start a fire.It is very still and dry out, the fire burns upward.
It is silent, almost a deafening quiet, no birds, no airplanes or cars, no air conditioners, the only thing that is heard through the silence is the crackling of the fire, you glance at the temperature gauge on the wall and it reads 36°, you think to yourself , "that's cold", but the warmth from the pit is comforting and you are not cold.
The light from the fire cuts through the dark giving the area a warm soothing glow and the smell from the freshly ignited wood makes you close your eyes and inhale deeply, you loose yourself for a minute, at this point you know its going to be a great day.
You head upstairs and grab the pork, once at the pit, you unwrap the pork and get hit with another welcomed smell...it's of your rub, as you gaze at the slather that has developed from the rub mixing with the meat juices you are fighting the urge to swipe the gooey goodness with your finger and taste it like you would icing on a birthday cake, the whole time saying to yourself, "life is great".
The fire settles down, you look over your shoulder and notice the glow of the sun peeking through the trees.
You set up your pit and place your treasure into the pit, you close the pit and head upstairs to grab a coffee and back out to the pit.
You then place your favorite chair by your firebox and gaze at the thermometer and it is now 42°.
As you sip on your coffee you get a faint smell of your rub alongside a bit of smoke smell, now you get anxious... you spring up and take a peek... not much going on but you take a minute to admire your treasure.
A little while passes and you add some more wood to the fire, as the fire crackles you hear a sizzling sound, you spring up out of your chair and pop open the pit,...whoosh you get plastered in the face with the first signs that your pork is on it's way, you have now just opened Pandora's box, the anticipation weighs heavily on you like a crushing force that can only be lifted by time.
As you admire your treasure you notice the "pork gold" oozing from the surface, you know everything is as it should be and you have aligned with the universe.
too be continued.
Nothing is more relaxing to me than being outside tending the pit on a nice fall morning, kicking back with a fresh cup of coffee taking in all the wonderful aromas from the pit.
As much as it is relaxing, there is also something primeval about cooking meat over a fire, there is also the satisfaction of producing a product that required so much attention and will be enjoyed by many.
When I'm cooking on the pit, it's not just cooking it is more of an event. Now that I look back I remember my Mother In Law would make thanksgiving dinner, I saw her slaving in a kitchen all day, but to her she was enjoying her event, she was in her element and enjoying every minute of it, to me it looked like a lot of hard work.
When I'm cooking on the pit, folks look at me and say, "man you've been tending that pit all day that seem like a lot of work", but I'm in my element, so I say, "its only work if you don't enjoy it".
This is what it is like for me when cooking on my pit.
You get up before the sun, head out to the pit, it is dark but the darkness is welcome, it makes you feel like you are in your own world.
You open up the firebox door and start a fire.It is very still and dry out, the fire burns upward.
It is silent, almost a deafening quiet, no birds, no airplanes or cars, no air conditioners, the only thing that is heard through the silence is the crackling of the fire, you glance at the temperature gauge on the wall and it reads 36°, you think to yourself , "that's cold", but the warmth from the pit is comforting and you are not cold.
The light from the fire cuts through the dark giving the area a warm soothing glow and the smell from the freshly ignited wood makes you close your eyes and inhale deeply, you loose yourself for a minute, at this point you know its going to be a great day.
You head upstairs and grab the pork, once at the pit, you unwrap the pork and get hit with another welcomed smell...it's of your rub, as you gaze at the slather that has developed from the rub mixing with the meat juices you are fighting the urge to swipe the gooey goodness with your finger and taste it like you would icing on a birthday cake, the whole time saying to yourself, "life is great".
The fire settles down, you look over your shoulder and notice the glow of the sun peeking through the trees.
You set up your pit and place your treasure into the pit, you close the pit and head upstairs to grab a coffee and back out to the pit.
You then place your favorite chair by your firebox and gaze at the thermometer and it is now 42°.
As you sip on your coffee you get a faint smell of your rub alongside a bit of smoke smell, now you get anxious... you spring up and take a peek... not much going on but you take a minute to admire your treasure.
A little while passes and you add some more wood to the fire, as the fire crackles you hear a sizzling sound, you spring up out of your chair and pop open the pit,...whoosh you get plastered in the face with the first signs that your pork is on it's way, you have now just opened Pandora's box, the anticipation weighs heavily on you like a crushing force that can only be lifted by time.
As you admire your treasure you notice the "pork gold" oozing from the surface, you know everything is as it should be and you have aligned with the universe.
too be continued.
Nothing is more relaxing to me than being outside tending the pit on a nice fall morning, kicking back with a fresh cup of coffee taking in all the wonderful aromas from the pit.
As much as it is relaxing, there is also something primeval about cooking meat over a fire, there is also the satisfaction of producing a product that required so much attention and will be enjoyed by many.
When I'm cooking on the pit, it's not just cooking it is more of an event. Now that I look back I remember my Mother In Law would make thanksgiving dinner, I saw her slaving in a kitchen all day, but to her she was enjoying her event, she was in her element and enjoying every minute of it, to me it looked like a lot of hard work.
When I'm cooking on the pit, folks look at me and say, "man you've been tending that pit all day that seem like a lot of work", but I'm in my element, so I say, "its only work if you don't enjoy it".
bama bbq
Master of the Pit
ibbones
Meat Mopper
Wow, what a way to describe something. That was good.
I also find cooking outside enjoyable but being in South Texas if I look at the thermometer, it will NOT be 46* unless it's broken.
Smoked two fatties today and it's nice to just watch the smoke rise up.
- May 12, 2011
- 22,172
- 7,150
I have a similar experience to Sqwib but it revolves around a 12 pack of Yuengling on Ice rather than Coffee...Nice story Bro!...JJ
palladini
Smoking Fanatic
Well all my smokes start out very calm and relaxing, then about 2 hours in, the neighbour Notices what I am doing, then get his GF to jump in her car and head off to the store to pick up something to put in my smoker. About 30 minutes later, she appears carrying 3 vac packed ribs. We then hurriedly put together a Brine for these ribs, 20 minutes in this brine, is what he thinks is enough. 3 – ½ slabs are given to me for the smoker, the other 3 go on his rib slow cooker.
About 8 hours later, I give him the ribs, wrapped in foil (foiled for the 2[sup]nd[/sup] time). Two days later, he asks, why did yours taste better than mine? I say, because I smoked, you slow cooked. Different ways, that is why.
So what does do the next weekend? Same thing, as above. Sees me smoking, Sends the GF out, this time, and gives me all the ribs.
Funny thing is, he knows every other weekend, I have the smoker going. He knows the way I do things, like I start my ribs Thursday evening in the marinade and make killer rubs.
About 8 hours later, I give him the ribs, wrapped in foil (foiled for the 2[sup]nd[/sup] time). Two days later, he asks, why did yours taste better than mine? I say, because I smoked, you slow cooked. Different ways, that is why.
So what does do the next weekend? Same thing, as above. Sees me smoking, Sends the GF out, this time, and gives me all the ribs.
Funny thing is, he knows every other weekend, I have the smoker going. He knows the way I do things, like I start my ribs Thursday evening in the marinade and make killer rubs.
lazykitty
Fire Starter
I caught the smoking bug this year, and I'm coming to realize there is no cure. . . and I am ok with that.
Beautifully said SQWIB.....I love the smells, the sounds, the quiet and just simply being at peace with the world when I am in my Zen Smoking time.
Kat
Kat
eight433
Fire Starter
If you think there is no cure, wait until you discover making your own preserved meats!
Get it? Cure?
Don't worry. You'll get it later. :-D
Last edited:
kandl
Smoking Fanatic
SQWIB just described almost exactly what it was like the first time I did a brisket on fathers day. Up before dawn, very still, calm, and a little cool even for June. One of the most peaceful mornings I've ever had. That brisket turned out so good I knew after that, I was hooked, and I get that same feeling every time I start the smoker up.
redneck69
Smoking Fanatic
love to BBQ, smoke and cook....very relaxing, especially with my beautiful wifey....better than any good day at work
when i first started about 15 yrs ago it was the most relaxing hobby i could think of, i would get my smoke on and the meat in and then start doing yardwork and by the end of the day and a sixpack i could hit the pool with a great something to eat,
as i got better with time the neighbors would join in, the kids and all their friends knew what day i was smoking and it always turned into a large crowd, had to buy a larger smoker then i had to buy an extra one for the big events.
but I tell you what, It is the best thing in the world manning that smoker with everyone hanging around, especially the kids and all their friends it's great to spend time with them before they move on. All Through high school this was the house to be at and we really got to know our kids and their friends well cause they were always here and not out somewhere getting in trouble!
now when they come back on break they still come here and we love it
So as far as relaxing goes, you can't beat this hobby!!!
Smoking should be an elective in school for the kids to help with their social skills and get em off the electronics
as i got better with time the neighbors would join in, the kids and all their friends knew what day i was smoking and it always turned into a large crowd, had to buy a larger smoker then i had to buy an extra one for the big events.
but I tell you what, It is the best thing in the world manning that smoker with everyone hanging around, especially the kids and all their friends it's great to spend time with them before they move on. All Through high school this was the house to be at and we really got to know our kids and their friends well cause they were always here and not out somewhere getting in trouble!
now when they come back on break they still come here and we love it
So as far as relaxing goes, you can't beat this hobby!!!
Smoking should be an elective in school for the kids to help with their social skills and get em off the electronics
richjt92
Fire Starter
I will have to get back with ya'll later....SQWIB just put me in my happy place.....
Gig 'Em Aggies....
Richjt92
Gig 'Em Aggies....
Richjt92
That too.
I have a similar experience to Sqwib but it revolves around a 12 pack of Yuengling on Ice rather than Coffee...Nice story Bro!...JJ
Wow awesome stories!! I only have a handful of smokes and only wish I found this hobby a long time ago.
missed-em
Smoke Blower
[h5]G'Pa Steve Maxson[/h5]
19 hours ago
Light blue smoke ----
Started the briquettes in dark and dreary at 6:15 then they go into the UDS fire basket at 6:30. The smoke and temperature settle in about 6:45. Rain just a memory dripping from the trees and the happy babble of the kids at the but stop as I add the meat to the smoker at 6:55. One 9 lb. pork butt for Sam's birthday party, and one for the freezer. Looking forward to pulled pork sandwich in the duck blind! Five hours in and smellin good - 4 or 5 hours more to go, getting hungry
That was yesterday afternoon - took 12 hours, longest smoke yet. Tri-tips sunday
19 hours ago
Light blue smoke ----
Started the briquettes in dark and dreary at 6:15 then they go into the UDS fire basket at 6:30. The smoke and temperature settle in about 6:45. Rain just a memory dripping from the trees and the happy babble of the kids at the but stop as I add the meat to the smoker at 6:55. One 9 lb. pork butt for Sam's birthday party, and one for the freezer. Looking forward to pulled pork sandwich in the duck blind! Five hours in and smellin good - 4 or 5 hours more to go, getting hungry
That was yesterday afternoon - took 12 hours, longest smoke yet. Tri-tips sunday
smoking meat for me is a great way to unwind and forget about all the troubles in the world .......................or maybe it is just the BEER !!!! cheers!
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