smoking chicken problems

fftwarren

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Original poster

May 26, 2010

483

66

Livingston, Louisiana/Little Torch Key, FL

• May 27, 2010

• #1

Ok, let me start by saying that I have been smoking meats for several years. I can make some great pork roast, ribs, sausages, steaks, pretty much all your main cuts. However, I cannot get some good smoked chicken to save my neck. I'm talking about like a hot smoked chicken, a step below BBQ. No matter what I do, the skin always ends up disgusting with that over smoked tang to it. I have tried it numerous times and still have yet to come out with a good batch. I cook it just like I do with my pork and other stuff. That all turns out great with thumbs up from everyone involved, but chicken is just another story. I can't master it. What am I doing wrong that causes the chicken to absorb so much more smoke than the pork. Heck I've even cooked it side by side with the pork and such and it still turns out like that.

 

travcoman45

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Jan 19, 2008

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A Holler in North Iowa

• May 27, 2010

• #2

Brine the bird an smoke at a hotter temp, say sumtin like 325° - 375°, this I'll give ya a crisper skin an less smoke time.  Also, try some milder woods such as apple on them birds.

 

fftwarren

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May 26, 2010

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66

Livingston, Louisiana/Little Torch Key, FL

• May 27, 2010

• #3

cool, thanks. I will have to try that. I had been using pecan or hickory. but I'll try using a lighter wood and a brine next time. thanks.

If anyone else has any tips feel free to throw em out there

 

mythmaster

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Mar 24, 2010

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Guthrie, OK

• May 27, 2010

• #4

Here are Tip's (travcoman45) Slaughterhouse recipes:

Slaughterhouse Poultry Brine By Tip Piper of Hillbilly Vittles
1 ½ Gal Water
½ C Salt - Kosher
½ C Dark Brown Sugar
2 tsp Garlic Powder
2 tsp Onion Powder
2 tsp Cajun Spice (Louisiana Cajun Seasoning
2 tsp Celery Seed

Slaughterhouse Poultry Injection
½ Pkg Good Seasons Italian Dressing
2 tsp Garlic Powder
2 tsp Celery Seed
2 TBS melted Butter (non salted)
2 C Apple Cider

Slaughterhouse Spritz (Good fer everthin!)
8 oz Apple Cider
6 oz Water
4 oz Whiskey
2 oz Cider Vinegar

I'm sure that they'll eventually make it into the WIKI.  There's also a Competition Chicken WIKI article with some great information and another brine recipe: http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/wiki/how-to-smoke-chicken-competition-style

 

fftwarren

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May 26, 2010

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Livingston, Louisiana/Little Torch Key, FL

• May 27, 2010

• #5

I just checked out the wiki brine recipe, thanks for those too

 

pineywoods

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Mar 22, 2008

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Florida

• May 27, 2010

• #6

I really like the Slaughterhouse brine. As was mentioned to get a crisp skin crank the heat up to above 300 I do mine at 325-350 this also means a shorter time in the smoker so less smoke absorbed. Apple is very good with poultry

 

mballi3011

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Mar 12, 2009

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• May 27, 2010

• #7

I have to agree with Jerry (Pineywoods)  and Tip (travocoman) on this one too. I also like to smoke my chickens at a higher temp. It makes the skin alittle more let's say eatible some folks say. I like mine out of the smoker crispy, softer, gummy. Just the way it comes out of the smoker for I know it will be really really good.

 

fftwarren

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Original poster

Thread starter

May 26, 2010

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66

Livingston, Louisiana/Little Torch Key, FL

• May 27, 2010

• #8

well my temps are part of the problem, if not the main problem. It seems I'm trying to cook it so low that it is not only not cooking fast enough but its spending to much time in the smoky environment. which in return is giving it that smoky tang as well as the rubbery skin

 

Last edited: May 27, 2010

kryinggame

Smoking Fanatic

Nov 16, 2007

543

30

Charlotte, NC

• Dec 12, 2011

• #9

Gents, I was about to post the same problem as FFTWarren. I always have a difficult time smoking chicken. Last night, I use my Masterbuilt smoker for the first time. I smoked a 4 lb chicken but the result was less than pleasing. Similar to FFTWarren's report, the skin ended up disgusting with that over smoked tang to it. 

From the suggestions posted here, I'm assuming that I did 2 things wrong: 1. I used Hickory wood (I think that's to harsh of a wood, that leaves a bitter flavor for poultery); 2 - I smoked it at 225 degrees.

Next weekend, I'm going to apply the advice that you gents gave and hopefully, it will turn out better.

 

flash

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Mar 30, 2007

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Chiefland/Cedar Key, Fl

• Dec 12, 2011

• #10

FFTWarren said:

cool, thanks. I will have to try that. I had been using pecan or hickory. but I'll try using a lighter wood and a brine next time. thanks.

If anyone else has any tips feel free to throw em out there

Click to expand...

Pecan is my favorite wood for yard birds. I never brine,  smoke at 250*, but will finish them up on a hot grill to crisp up the skin. Still moist and great flavor.

 

Last edited: Dec 12, 2011

elohel

Smoke Blower

Jul 2, 2011

88

10

Rochester, MN

• Dec 13, 2011

• #11

I've given up on crispy chicken skin. I've tried smoking at the highest temps my smoker can go (275*), rubbery skin. I've tried low/slow and finishing in an oven at 450*.. rubbery skin. I've tried finishing on the grill.. rubbery skin. It's like the second my chicken goes into the smoker, it's doomed to be rubber. It sucks because the actual meat is so delicious!

 

tom c

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Aug 26, 2011

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16

Orlando, FL

• Dec 14, 2011

• #12

From my post, http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/113868/highly-modified-char-griller-pro-with-side-fire-box  

When I am cooking chicken  I add a heat baffle that bolck the heat and forces it to the top of the chamber. This allow the cook with the heat only coming from the top of the chamber. I cook at 300-325 to IT 180,  I get crispy chicken skin, and very juicy meat

 

 

 

flash

Smoking Guru

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Mar 30, 2007

5,280

45

Chiefland/Cedar Key, Fl

• Dec 14, 2011

• #13

elohel said:

I've given up on crispy chicken skin. I've tried smoking at the highest temps my smoker can go (275*), rubbery skin. I've tried low/slow and finishing in an oven at 450*.. rubbery skin. I've tried finishing on the grill.. rubbery skin. It's like the second my chicken goes into the smoker, it's doomed to be rubber. It sucks because the actual meat is so delicious!

Click to expand...

Fresh out of the smoker

After 10 to 15 minutes on a hot grill. No you are not going to get Crispy as in "Fried" skin, but you will get more than edible skin. You must not be doing them long enough??