First Real Smoke PP

[tumbleweed1]

Beautiful! 

 

[kampmann17]

So, I like this idea of posting recipes and progress of a smoke, primarily for the benefit of new smokers.  There is plenty of information here on the site, but it is always intersting getting the different point of views.  I also embedded links to everything I used.  

For this smoke I did this.  

Used a Masterbuilt Vertical Propane Smoker, w/ AMNTS 12" and the needle valve mod

Seasoned the smoker a few days before.  

Purchased a pork butt from King Soopers @ 6.6 lbs for $1.88/lb

Froze the pork because I wasn't going to make the best by date.  

Defrosted, then put the rub on the pork the night before; left in refridge for the night. 

I used a recipe from http://allrecipes.com/recipe/big-james-pork-rub/  I liked it because it included the chili powder.  (I substituted a medium high heat).  All spices were purchased from https://www.penzeys.com/  (My wife and I have them locally and used them for years)

I am definitely going to change up to a different rub next time. I felt the chili powder influenced the bark flavor quite a bit. 

Woke up at 4:30am for the next morning for the first run.  

Got the grill preheated to 235 and the AMNTS going by 5:30am 

Held smoker temperature between 230 - 250 through 1pm.  

Felt like the Internal Temp was moving a bit slow to eat that night, so increase the temp above 250 and below 280.  

Halfway refilled the AMNTS.  (The first full 12" lasted almost 6 hours)

Pulled the pork at 192 degrees for a one hour rest 5:00pm. Ate at 6:15pm

Served with a mop sauce, (), and two bbq sauces for the sandwiches, the wife's favorite Famous Dave's (http://www.famousbbqstore.com/52453.html) and my new favorite Grumpy's Bold XX Kansas City Style (http://www.grumpysbbq.com/order_form.php).  Not a bbq sauce expert, but not sure there can be a better sauce than that Grumpy's.  Not a huge fan of Famous Dave's sauce, but it is for the wife.  

For the Carolina sauce, I took some pulled port and put it aside with the sauce just to try. It was actually really good and evened the heat on the bark.  I have never purchased a Carolina sauce before and was pretty impressed. 

I think for next time, I will definitely allow for a bit more smoking/rest time.  I think I will try a slightly higher cooking temperature or foil.  I will try a different rub.  I really liked using the hickory pellets, them smelled and made the food taste great.  Love the amount of leftovers.  

Hope you guys enjoyed a little play by play.  Thanks for all the help.  I can't wait for the next time.