And how do you to log your smokes?

[schlotz]

I'll start. Since we are on the Apple platform I use Macgourmet. I keep a running log in the notes section for each recipe with the latest notes always at the top, older ones below. Each note starts with the date and outside weather conditions, followed by where the meat was bought, smoker setup, deviations to the above recipe. After that, a recoding of times, IT's etc... Finally, a sentence or two reviewing the results along with what I might want to do different next time.

When planning for next smoke, a review of the recipe's notes is always the first step.

So, how do you record your smokes?

Matt

 

[bdskelly]

I’m sorry to say that the only logs I make are my posts here and the saved sessions on my Tappecue app.
I probably should do better I guess. B

 

[normanaj]

If something significant happens I write it down on a piece of paper and when I go to look for it I can't find and I usually end up repeating the mistake!:D

I know I should do better!

 

[gmc2003]

I used to log all my cooks in a ledger(old school I know). Then I started doing it less frequently as the years and number of cooks grew. I will still use the ledger when I try something new however. It's always there if I need to look back on something.

Chris

 

[jaxgatorz]

In my head ( which isn't a very good idea for old folks like me).. Then when i can't remember, I just come on here...

 

[idahopz]

Although I do not log my smokes, I use OneNote (now completely free from Microsoft) to record of all my recipes, shopping lists, and RV travel trips. I can add things to my shopping list in the morning, and when I go to town the items are already on my phone. My wife can add items to the list at any time and everything is updated automatically.

There is even a OneNote Firefox plugin that allows you to automatically record recipes to your notebook. Keeping recipes has never been easier.

OneNote is arguably the best software Microsoft has ever developed.

 

[uncle eddie]

I track meat weight/cook times/temps and weather - but only pay attention to the former on successive smokes - why worry about weather? My smoker is insulated enough that it does not come into play very much, if at all.

 

[noboundaries]

I use an Excel spreadsheet, and the columns often change from year to year as I get a new idea. I keep track of my charcoal inventory and usage, meat/type/weight, start/load/smoke/end times, techniques, weather, recipe used, results of the smoke/grill, and pretty much anything that happens or can impact the outcome. I also have tabs on the spreadsheet for lessons learned, SMF names, charcoal ratings/prices/sellers, brainstormed ideas for my as yet unrealized outdoor kitchen build, bacon cure calculators, jerky calculators, and salt solution calculators.

For years at work my nickname was "Mr. Analytical." Gee, I wonder why?

 

[SmokinAl]

I used to write everything down, I mean everything!!
But after doing the same smoke over & over, you develop your method & don't need to write it down anymore.
It's actually pretty amazing how you can come up with the same result using different methods. However I have to say that I would have never developed my methods without recording everything I did & changing what I didn't like. Or more importantly what my wife didn't like! :confused:
Al

 

[SmokinAl]

I used to write everything down, I mean everything!!
But after doing the same smoke over & over, you develop your method & don't need to write it down anymore.
It's actually pretty amazing how you can come up with the same result using different methods. However I have to say that I would have never developed my methods without recording everything I did & changing what I didn't like. Or more importantly what my wife didn't like! :confused:
Al

 

[schlotz]

SWMBO, is a good reason to record what you did and note not to do it again :D

 

[noboundaries]

SWMBO, is a good reason to record what you did and note not to do it again :D

Yep, and just the opposite too for something she loved. There were so many times over the decades when I threw something together, she raved about it, then several weeks later said, "Would you make that again?" I could never duplicate the results because I couldn't remember exactly what I did. I started logging everything, plus she gave me a personal recipe book software to write down both my own recipes and ones I stole off the Internet and modified to personal tastes. I have 1104 recipes, including some duplicates, spread over 12 different personal cookbooks for BBQ, Holidays, Potluck, Favorites, Pizza, Italian, Family, etc. My two largest personal cookbooks are my main cookbook (428 recipes) and my BBQ Cookbook (196 recipes).

The best thing about personal cookbook software is when the kids taste something they love and want the recipe. Now I can give it to them! One of my daughters could never duplicate my spaghetti sauce until I gave her my recipe (a personal creation BTW) and showed her how I measure the seasonings in the palm of my hand. She made it to perfection.

 

[Geebs]

I just use a notebook for new stuff that I am trying out.

 

[ristau5741]

note app on my cell phone,
track food type, food weight, total cook time, cook temp, final internal temp, sometimes notes

someone had a smoker log sheet they made up, it looked pretty good.
here it is in the articles section
https://www.smokingmeatforums.com/ams/smoking-log-template.10064/

 

[zwiller]

All good recipes get "logged" into a dedicated note book. I am up to 3. I do not like electronics around in the kitchen. Why does my phone smell like garlic?! Not anal about it but since I started doing it my success has REALLY improved.

Although it would be cool to log my keepers into some software, consider this. We lost MIL a few years ago and she was the cook. Before she passed she asked me to make copies of her stuff for the family. The handwriting is priceless. Heck even the coffee stains are a big deal and remind us of her. Lots of options for brewing software but I think most are too sophisticated.

 

[SonnyE]

I eat them.
Then, the next time I see them, they are in a logged form.
(If I look...)

Seriously, I'm never that serious.
It's food. What makes you think every cow is alike?
(Aside from 4 hooves and a tail?)

 

[schlotz]

Yep, and just the opposite too for something she loved. There were so many times over the decades when I threw something together, she raved about it, then several weeks later said, "Would you make that again?" I could never duplicate the results because I couldn't remember exactly what I did. I started logging everything, plus she gave me a personal recipe book software to write down both my own recipes and ones I stole off the Internet and modified to personal tastes. I have 1104 recipes, including some duplicates, spread over 12 different personal cookbooks for BBQ, Holidays, Potluck, Favorites, Pizza, Italian, Family, etc. My two largest personal cookbooks are my main cookbook (428 recipes) and my BBQ Cookbook (196 recipes).

The best thing about personal cookbook software is when the kids taste something they love and want the recipe. Now I can give it to them! One of my daughters could never duplicate my spaghetti sauce until I gave her my recipe (a personal creation BTW) and showed her how I measure the seasonings in the palm of my hand. She made it to perfection.

Similar situation here. I share all my recipes with our daughter via the cloud app for MacGourmet. Their corresponding phone app lets you see all the recipes.

 

[kawboy]

Just started using the log sheets from here last cook.
Otherwise I was using a three ring binder full of recipes I stole from here and made notes on the sheets.

 

[GaryHibbert]

I’m sorry to say that the only logs I make are my posts here and the saved sessions on my Tappecue app.
I probably should do better I guess. B

I do the same thing. If it's a new recipe or a successful change I post it here on SMF. If it's just a repeat then I seldom post it. Once it's posted I copy and paste it to a word document, complete with pictures. The I save the document to the "Log of My Smokes" file.
So mostly it's just the recipe, cooking temp, final IT, time, and smoking rub/brine/cure. I can pretty much tell what the weather was like by the date of the smoke.
I'm really not big on detailed records--I'm here to smoke meat (and everything else), not to waste ink.
Gary

 

[Dazed]

I’m new here. I have been smoking for about two years. I log them all with fireboard app. I been using a little over a year and it has notes section to fill in recipe or whatever you want to put there. You can export it as a link and send it wherever you want to.