2014 South Florida Gathering (November 7-9)

[nimrod]

 Better than duct tape!

Sometimes I gotta make do with what I have. 

 

[dougmays]

Welcome to the group Craig! Glad to have ya! I'd love to learn how to keep my DO's clean and rust free when used outside. I used my big DO for some boiled peanuts for a Gator Game Tailgate and when i brought it home it was all rusty inside from hold the peanuts in the water. I went to a Pepper Festival 2 weekends ago and they had a outdoor kicthen there with 7-8 DO's and cast iron skillets sitting out in the elements and looked great. So i'm doing something wrong

 

[dougmays]

BTW i've got your information on page 1

 

[JckDanls 07]

I see a few more Fl. people becoming members... give this thread a bump in anticipation of them reading it and then joining us...

 

[nimrod]

 I put the word around to some camping friends & co-workers so maybe one or two will show up. I'm no DO pro but will be happy to pass on what I learned from Blackpot. To start with never leave water in the DO or cast iron cookware. It will rust over.

 Checked out the pics from past gatherings & looked like a great time.

I can make a cornbread casserole in the DO for a side dish. Usually turns out good.

Hope bringing the Misses & camp-hounds is OK?

 Really interested in how to make the meat sticks, I'll make sure I have the pork butts.  

 

[dougmays]

 
 I put the word around to some camping friends & co-workers so maybe one or two will show up. I'm no DO pro but will be happy to pass on what I learned from Blackpot. To start with never leave water in the DO or cast iron cookware. It will rust over.

 Checked out the pics from past gatherings & looked like a great time.

I can make a cornbread casserole in the DO for a side dish. Usually turns out good.

Hope bringing the Misses & camp-hounds is OK?

 Really interested in how to make the meat sticks, I'll make sure I have the pork butts.  

Certainly bring the misses and pups. This is a family friendly event and the more the merrier. Keith brings his pooch and i've brought mine to a couple of them. 

I love me some cornbread! 

 

[JckDanls 07]

As Doug said.. by all means bring the family as it revolves around them... I too am a fan of cornbread...

 

[jarjarchef]

If I may throw something out there to knaw on....

Instead of trying to break down all of the butts at the camp sites like last year. What if they were broke down at home and diced into 1" cubes and chilled. This way it is safer to handle and a bit faster to process. I would even say for those that have grinders to do the first grinding. .....

 

[nimrod]

Good deal! Thanks

 

[dougmays]

If I may throw something out there to knaw on....

Instead of trying to break down all of the butts at the camp sites like last year. What if they were broke down at home and diced into 1" cubes and chilled. This way it is safer to handle and a bit faster to process. I would even say for those that have grinders to do the first grinding. .....

That's actually a very good idea J! This is why we keep a chef handy ;)

 

[nimrod]

 So how big should the 2 pack be?  2-3 lbs each?

 Do I need to bring anything else for the meat-sticks?

Do you make that plywood smoker just for this event? Don't think it would last too long with the termites on my property. Those dam@ bugs are eating my house & some trees!

 

[jarjarchef]

Most 2 packs I see are around 10 pounds.

Good question on if we need to bring anything else...... so do we?

For my plywood smokehouse I placed it on cedar runners. So it does not touch the ground. We also did a fairly heavy paint job. I have not seen any signs of the nasty bugs on it, but the tables next to it have been hit real hard by them.

 

[JckDanls 07]

The 2 packs are usually untrimmed (which is what we need for the fat) and weigh in the neighborhood of 15-18 lbs (per pack)... Don't know what you have in Stuart for stores... I get mine at GFS.. it is mostly for restaurant supply's as everything is sold in bulk ... If you have a Sam's or something like that you can find the untrimmed 2 packs there...

As for the smokehouse.. it's painted and sits on cement blocks... yes, I did make it for this event last year with the plan on bringing it back home to use at the house...

For supplies... I still have the seasoning Joe sent for our little get together that never happened.. minus some for a batch of sticks I made... will have to look and see what's left... we will need casings.. I am bringing my grinder and stuffer (5 lbs)... Jeramy.. do you have a stuffer or do you use your grinder as one ?? My grinder will do all the grinding we need to do, so we don't really need another one of those... I think Don has a stuffer, but I'm not positive... wish he would chime in... I also have some venison I am going to bring to make a batch of venison sticks... ohhhh... were gonna need a scale as mine only weighs up to 6 lbs ( i need to get a better one).. I have some cure I will bring as well... If y'all seen a recipe you were wanting to try in a batch of sticks, bring it and we'll do it...

Time is winding down.. it will be here before you know it... what are some of the other things that people were gonna cook besides the ribs for the comp. ? I take it were not doing chicken comp Fri. ? I am thinking about bringing a ham and doing a maple/bourbon ham if were not doing chicken...

that's it for now....

 

[jarjarchef]

I only have a grinder. It does have some tubes for stuffing, but none for snack sticks.

I am going to try and go to a new butcher shop and see if they will give or I can by thier pork trimmings.


I am game for any comp or no comp, it is really up to the group.

I did get my Mini Jumbo done, so I will be traveling a little lighter this year.

 

[boykjo]

Sorry folks but my prioreties have changed and I wont be able to make it this year. I am going to to focus on my smoker build and want to have it done by the end of this year. Also the ole bat told the ole geaser its our 25th and she wants to go to the daytona 500. I cant argue with that so I'll have to save my benjamins for that event. I have reserved spot 86 and I am going to cancel. I cant transfer it so I have to cancel it. If anyone needs the spot I can hold it for a little bit. Has anyone heard from Don (orlandosmoking) Maybe he need a spot. Hopefully I'll see ya'll at jerrys this spring at the NFLG

Have fun and I'll be watching from home

Joe

 

[JckDanls 07]

Dang it Joe.. that sucks.. was looking forward to beating you and your chocolate covered ribs with my peanut butter covered ribs in the rib comp... :biggrin: ... I understand life gets in the way... have fun at Daytona and we'll see ya at the N. FL. Gathering (maybe) ...

 

[jarjarchef]

Sorry to hear you will not make it Joe. I was looking forward to the chocolate glazed ribs. I was worried my candied rib nugget clouds were going to lose.

 

[dougmays]

My cherry infused strawberry ribs with marshmallow bbq sauce is going to take the cake this year! (pun intended haha)

Sorry to hear that Joe...you'll certainly be missed. 

Who has supplies we can use for snack sticks? Grinders? Stuffers? Keith you got the smoke house. If we think it'll be to heard with less people and no Sausage-King Joe this year, maybe we go with something simpler like Jerky, Bacon and Cheese?

I apologize to the group i've been super busy lately and haven't had alot of time to put this all together. I think we did agree earlier that we'd forgot the chicken competition this year and instead make the one big competition that night with Ribs and Something Special. And we can all cook up other foods for "lunch" aka all day snacking :)

For the newcomers....we do a very friendly competition with Ribs (you can use any type of pork rib) and Something Special which is any side item, desert, snack, ect.. Judging is not based on any FBA or KCBS rules. We usually just get about 5 random campers we find and have them "pick there favorite" on a organized format. Its alot of fun. If you'd like to compete let me know and just bring your own meat/stuff for it. We have plenty of smokers available if your not bringing one or dont think your would fit what you want to cook sufficiently. 

Also we usually get donations from our site sponsors and jeff (the forum owner) so its a little more then just bragging rights:) 

As for other foods....Keith that Ham you make is delicious! I think i might bring a full packer brisket to cook up as well! If anyone wants to bring something, try a new recipe or treat us with an old go-to, the more the merrier!

More to come! I'm getting excited!

Does anyone want to take over Joe's site before he cancels it?

 

[jarjarchef]

I am game for whay ever the group wants to do.

I will have to learn how to cook for the side dish. I have a very limited arsenal in my cooking abilities..............

As far as the snack sticks or doing other group projects. Let me know what to bring. I am traveling light as far a smoker this year. I have a new toy to bring. It is a bit bigger than the minis, but much easier to move around.

I have a grinder I can bring. I have plenty of knives and ability to break down the pork butts. I am more than willing to contribute financially towards the materials needed. I already have a bunch of spices I can donate as well.

 

[dougmays]

Anyone heard from Don (@OrlandoSmoKing  )