I just got my MES 30 (20070411) a few weeks ago, and have only used it once for a beef chuck which I did for pulled beef sandwiches. Turned out ok, but could have been better, and I learned a number of things on here after the fact. We have a party later today, so I'm giving the smoker it's first real test. Just put two pork butts into it to make sure they will be done in time for our 5 PM party (ideally would like to see them done by 3 PM so they can rest in a cooler for a bit before I pull them). Will be heading back to bed shortly once I'm satisfied the AMNPS is smoking well. I did a test run with it last evening (my first time trying it), and it worked great (first time I used it, and man did it give off some nice smoke for a long time, with not even one row of pellets), so I'm not too concerned. I've got four racks of ribs I'll be putting into it later this morning (probably around 1030 AM), so I'll need to rearrange the butts a bit to make room before I do that. But, hoping they will be up near 160 degrees shortly after I wake up, so I can foil them and do some quick rearranging then (should shrink down enough to get both on one shelf or place two shelves closer together after being foiled). I can't wait to see how everything turns out.
Here are the butts just before I put them into the MES. Used some mustard, then put the rub on them. They are each around 8.5 lbs.
And, here they are enjoying themselves right after I put them into the smoker. Fingers crossed, time for some more sleep.
Earlier posts were from around 2 AM. Now it's about 8 AM. Checked on things, smoke is still flowing, temperature looks to be holding near 225 very well. The internal temperature is only up to about 145 though, so I guess it will be a little while yet before it plateaus near 160, which is when I'm planning to foil it. Hopefully the remainder of the rise after that goes ok, or I'll be pushing things on time (certainly looks like it will take more than 12 hours, hopefully still close to the 13 I banked on). We shall see, maybe I'll be surprised (pretty much am with everything I do, since I really haven't done much of anything yet in the smoker). It's fun, so that's what matters. Guess I'll go help my wife with some of the cleaning and other house preparations, since these aren't ready to be touched yet and the ribs don't need to go in for another 3 hours or so.
Thanks Dave. Well, around 1030 AM the butts seemed to plateau around 158 on my thermometer, so I took them out and wrapped them in foil (below is how they looked just prior to being wrapped).
The ribs followed them in a few minutes later. Although I hate losing heat, I'll probably spritz the ribs with some apple juice every hour or so. Hopefully another 6 or so hours and everything will be done.
Twelve hours has come and gone, and the butts still have a ways to go (creeping up through 185 right now). They should still get done in time for the party, but I probably won't be able to let them rest as long as I would have liked (we'll see). The ribs look good with about 3 1/2 hours under their belt. Man, I'm getting hungry.
Was too hectic to take a picture of the finished product when I pulled butt #1 yesterday, but this is butt #2 which I just pulled a little while ago. They both came out about the same, and were tasty (guests seemed happy at least). That's an extra large mixing bowl, so there's more there than how it appears (we'll be eating pork for a while :-)).
Here are the butts just before I put them into the MES. Used some mustard, then put the rub on them. They are each around 8.5 lbs.
And, here they are enjoying themselves right after I put them into the smoker. Fingers crossed, time for some more sleep.
Earlier posts were from around 2 AM. Now it's about 8 AM. Checked on things, smoke is still flowing, temperature looks to be holding near 225 very well. The internal temperature is only up to about 145 though, so I guess it will be a little while yet before it plateaus near 160, which is when I'm planning to foil it. Hopefully the remainder of the rise after that goes ok, or I'll be pushing things on time (certainly looks like it will take more than 12 hours, hopefully still close to the 13 I banked on). We shall see, maybe I'll be surprised (pretty much am with everything I do, since I really haven't done much of anything yet in the smoker). It's fun, so that's what matters. Guess I'll go help my wife with some of the cleaning and other house preparations, since these aren't ready to be touched yet and the ribs don't need to go in for another 3 hours or so.
Thanks Dave. Well, around 1030 AM the butts seemed to plateau around 158 on my thermometer, so I took them out and wrapped them in foil (below is how they looked just prior to being wrapped).
The ribs followed them in a few minutes later. Although I hate losing heat, I'll probably spritz the ribs with some apple juice every hour or so. Hopefully another 6 or so hours and everything will be done.
Twelve hours has come and gone, and the butts still have a ways to go (creeping up through 185 right now). They should still get done in time for the party, but I probably won't be able to let them rest as long as I would have liked (we'll see). The ribs look good with about 3 1/2 hours under their belt. Man, I'm getting hungry.
Was too hectic to take a picture of the finished product when I pulled butt #1 yesterday, but this is butt #2 which I just pulled a little while ago. They both came out about the same, and were tasty (guests seemed happy at least). That's an extra large mixing bowl, so there's more there than how it appears (we'll be eating pork for a while :-)).
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