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I suppose I'm in the minority as I rarely ever tie a BB. I can recall one time where there must have been a rookie butcher at the Piggly Wiggly that looked like it had been in a knife fight and lost. I had to net that poor thing. The good news was more surface area for rub! 😎
Wonderful job, for sure!
As for the broth, several years ago, The Better 9/10ths and I did the same thing with the bones. She used the broth, along with a nice Chianti, to make a braised beef and raviolis using a chuck roast. Damn, it was good!
The brisket loves mesquite, oak, and hickory, as it is big enough for the bolder flavor profiles of those woods.
I personally love to mix mesquite and hickory.
If you only want to use what you have on hand, I'd go for the bourbon barrel.
Out of curiosity, Jim, why move from the chest to an upright? Personally, I prefer the upright for a particular reason. That said, The Better 9/10ths wants a chest version.
At Lowes...
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Pit-Boss-Expandable-7-12-in-Stainless-Steel-Smoke-Tube/5014597225
I use one of these for cold smoking and for the gas grill when I use it to smoke salmon.
Direct/indirect all depends on the fish. Salmon can be either one, but a light grill followed by an indirect finish works well.
Swordfish loves direct over high heat. Veggies, for the most part, go well over direct.
My favorite meal is a grilled salmon (at 140°) and grilled asparagus.
Isaiah 9:6 ESV
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Unless I'm cold smoking. 225° is the temp I cook everything at. Beef, pork, poultry and fish all get the same treatment.
As answered before, it is normal for the smoker to lose temp when the lid is opened and cool food is introduced. Just avoid the temptation to increase the temp settings. Let...