My first batch of ABT's and fatties... w/Q-view!

porkbutt · Nov 5, 2007

Ok, I smoked my first batch of ABT's and my first two fatties this evening and now I see why ABT's are called BBQ-crack!!! Man, these things are some of the best eatin' I've had in a WHILE! I kept 'em simple and didn't season the cream cheese for this batch but I can't wait to experiment with different seasonings in future batches... and trust me there will be LOTS more batches, good Lord willin'. The fatties are good too, but man, those ABT's are awesome!

Anyway, on with the Q-view!

The ABT's and fatties prepped and ready. I just dusted the fatties with Grill Mates Pork Rub this go-round. Will also experiment with that in the future...

And as for my huge issue with the Char Griller... long story short, the factory thermostat is around 100* off at +/- 230*. Explains why the butts I've smoked have cooked too fast and didn't pull at all. I've been basically indirectly grilling/baking them at probably close to 400* by keeping the factory thermo at 225-230*. Pics of the factory thermo and then two others I used to get real cooking temps at the grate...

Also got a true handle on my fire and smoke this time since I didn't have to fight it constantly to keep the in lid thermo on 230. Never had more than a thin blue wispy smoke the whole time. Used charcoal and added hickory chunks occasionally for smoke... Perfect!

The goodies just before I took them off the smoker... Mmmmmmm!!!

And in the house in a little better light, just before I dug in! I still can't get over how good the ABT's are!

wvsmokeman · Nov 5, 2007

Good lookin' q-view! Welcome to the ABT addicts club

homebrew & bbq · Nov 5, 2007

Great looking food! Glad you got your temperature/thermometer troubles straightened out.

porkbutt · Nov 5, 2007

Thanks fellas! And I'm glad I got my biggest issues worked out too. I already want a bigger smoker made out of real steel. Went from a Weber kettle rigged for smokin' to this... and it's already getting small. I can see a batch of ABT's goin' on every time I fire up now!

Now, Lang 60/84 or Diamond Plate? Will take a while to save the money up so I have time to decide.

flyboys · Nov 5, 2007

Well, you just settled it for me, I'm not a big fan of peppers, but those really do look good. I will definitely be trying them on my next smoke.

porkbutt · Nov 5, 2007

I may try to come up with something besides peppers to make something similar for my wife. I'm going to experiment with other milder, sweeter peppers too. The wife said the jalapeno peppers I got were too hot for her. Maybe some sweet banana peppers would work better for her. She loved the taste, she just couldn't stand the heat... and they weren't that hot.

Wonder what else I could use in place of the jalapenos...

On another note, I also forgot to get toothpicks but had the skewers and loved how they worked out. Will probably stick with skewers instead of picks in the future. The skewers are cheap and they make the turds easy to handle.

smoke-n-jr · Nov 5, 2007

Man oh man...the eat's look good!

monstah · Nov 5, 2007

Looks delicious!!! Great job and thanks for the Q-View!

chris_harper · Nov 5, 2007

i have used sweet banana peppers; anaheim peppers; poblano peppers; hatch peppers. the list is endless- whatever you can find in your local grocery store will work. i like anaheims; they hold alot of cheese and are not hot at all. my wife can't handle heat either. i prefer jalapenos, but if the wife can't eat them, why make them?

wilson · Nov 5, 2007

Tasty looking Grub!
Now I'm in the mood for some ABT's haven't had them in a while.

cowgirl · Nov 5, 2007

Those look really good Chris!

I like your skewer idea too.....I use them for hanging jerky.

dionysus · Nov 5, 2007

Congrats Porkbutt. We are always glad to welcome new ABT converts. While you are saving up for that Lang, you could always do what alot of us here do .... watch for a good used deal and FIRE UP a second smoker.

smokin for life · Nov 5, 2007

Mighty fine looking ABT'S, My wife can't eat the jalapeno's at all, her loss and my gain. I like'em HOT!!! I alsolike your probe holder, and the good thing about using a tator, you get to eat it when you're done.I use a chunk of wood, but I think I'm going to change to a tator too. Hope to see more of your ABT'S.

shellbellc · Nov 5, 2007

Good looking Q view! We love the abt's. I have a chili rack now, but before I had that I would put the ABT's on skewers and them and then lay the skewers long ways across bread pans so the peppers hung down inside the pan. Worked great!

glued2it · Nov 5, 2007

Man those look good! Nice job!!!!!

gramason · Nov 5, 2007

Good looking food.

raypeel · Nov 5, 2007

Nice job Porkbutt. I like the skewer idea. I too have become addicted to ABT's.

raypeel · Nov 5, 2007

I had a bunch of yellow bell peppers grow late in the season and I picked them when they were small and made ABT's. Very good for those who don't like the heat.

deejaydebi · Nov 5, 2007

You did a fine job there Porkbutt!

My first batch of ABT's and fatties... w/Q-view!

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