How is smoking yourself more economical than purchasing in a store?

[tempnexus]

Sure, I got an electric smoker...just got it...and I used to smoke on gas....but now in Giant/Safeway/Wegmans/Kroger I see Smoked Turkey legs (3 for $4) or smoked fish (1 lb for $6), Smoked and BBQ basqued ribs for (1lb $7) how is smoking the meat myself more economical than that?!  

I mean I can't mess it up I can fail a smoke or over smoke it or not smoke it enough, please please give me encouragement that my expenditure was for not for naught. 

 

[bbqwillie]

Ever tasted any of that junk they sell?

 

[myownidaho]

It's a quality versus price thing. And you may want to edit to swearing out of your post. It's frowned upon here.

 

[tempnexus]

Done, thanks...damn forgot that folks smoke without drinking around here.  

Dam you should be ashamed of yourself....go grab a damn beer would ya!!!!

I mean honestly if you see a 12 year smoking you should ask their parents....beyond 12...SWEAR is the BIRD man.

 

[myownidaho]

Done, thanks...damn forgot that folks smoke without drinking around here.  

Dam you should be ashamed of yourself....go grab a damn beer would ya!!!!

I mean honestly if you see a 12 year smoking you should ask their parents....beyond 12...SWEAR is the BIRD man.

Lol! I was sipping a barrel proof rye when I wrote that. [emoji]128514[/emoji]

 

[greatfx1959]

It aint about cost most of the time, its about the whole experience, from prep to plate......its a thing unto itself. Heck yes i drink, sipping some nice alabama moonshine right now, {real thing, not the store bought}.....but i respect the people here, their house, their rules, just sayin.

 

[drunkenmeatfist]

Smoking large hunks of meat and using the leftovers for several meals can save money. That is a somewhat fringe benefit for me. I like to try different things and create a meal that tastes good with nobody to blame but me. I have two really good BBQ places close by, but I like to make my own food. It is a hobby for most here is my guess. 

 

[mike5051]

I could spend a lot less eating others food, I enjoy the process.  I also enjoy the adult beverages while perfecting the process!  The search for perfection is also great motivation!

Mike

 

[pops6927]

I smoke meat because it is healthier than purchased smoked meat, simple as that.  I don't care about price; if I can't afford it, I just don't make it.  But.  I know what goes into my products, not into commercial manufactured products.  It is healthier, leaner, far less cure, less chemicals or preservatives.  I make small, easy-to-manage batches that get frozen 30 days or less without modifiers.   Start reading ingredient labels.  Closely.  Question what's in your food.  If it's more than 10 letters long, it's probably not good for you.  Want to live longer?  Healthier?  Better?  Make your own, don't rely on the food industry to protect you, because they won't, and don't.  I've spent a lifetime in the food business,  I've survived 5 strokes (caused by poor, fast-food eating habits and tons of stress).  I want to live as long as possible.

 

[chef jimmyj]

l don't know what you pay for ribs, here a rack is $1.99. Even with sauce and rub, l don't have $7.00 a pound invested. Additionally, l am not limited to one flavor profile. l can go what ever direction the family wants. Thai, Indian, Chinese, Southwest, Mexican, there is no limit. The Choricero peppers to make the the red chili Vizcaina Salsa are easy to source if you want Basque Ribs...JJ

 

[GaryHibbert]

Well...afraid cost and healthy food don't matter a whole bunch to me. I eat what I want if I can afford it. If not, I eat something else. I smoke meat because I love to do it. Simple as that.

I truly enjoy the planning, the prep, and the sitting in the shade sipping a cold one next to my smoker. Totally relaxed. Not a single thing to worry about except my cook chamber and meat internal temp.

But best of all is the pleasure on the faces of those I'm cooking for when they take that first bite.

Gary

 

[lovethemeats]

Like others have said. It the joy of process to plate. I love going out and selecting the meat of choice. Then deciding what rub if any to use. Brine or not to brine with some things. Quality of the ingredients going into it. Smoking the food. And hearing the compliments on how it tasted. Besides that. The pure joy I get from it. This is an art. Repeatability is a goal. When you spend good hard earned money on the food. You want it to come out its best.

 

[bbqbrett]

A couple of things to consider on that is are they temporary sale prices? I occasionally see deals like that but not all the time. Also consider why you got a smoker in the first place. Was it too occasionally save some money on smoked foods? If so it probably was not the best reason to get one.

 

[phatbac]

I smoke because it is a good stress relief. heck i give away at least half of all i smoke. I just love to smoke meat and cook for others.  I develop software for my 9-5 and then i on Saturday i can get up early and light Black Betty and forget about all of it and have a nice relaxing weekend after making some incredible food.  obtaining that is worth every penny i put into the hobby, being able to eat like a king is just gravy after that!

Happy Smoking,

phatbac (Aaron)

 

[tallbm]

I find it to be a quality thing like others have mentioned.

When it comes to just about anything food related I can make it better than most places I can buy it at.  Also if I can't necessarily make it better then I can get close enough and usually in the case where it is close enough I am saving money.  This often happens with something like a prime ribeye steak.  Go to a true steakhouse and you will spend a minimum of $50 on just the steak plate.  I can buy and cook one for waaaaaay less that is very close if not better in some cases.  

Finally, I make it the way I like it.  In cases where I wish I had 2 more bites of a burger at a restaurant well I get those 2 extra bites when I make it.  I also often make enough of it for left overs.

For me it's all about the quality of what you can make and making it the way you like it.  I don't ever really expect to save much money.  I have found this is often the case with anything you do yourself.  Rarely is it less money but almost always it is better quality or better fit for your situation :)

 

[tropics]

 
Ever tasted any of that junk they sell?

And I drink all day 

Richie

 

[GaryHibbert]

:yeahthat:
And I drink all day 
Richie

Haha!! Up until 3 years ago I did too. These days when I have a cold one it's a Bud Prohibition beer. Just as good as regular Bud but what they brewed and sold during prohibition.

Gary

 

[Bearcarver]

 
Sure, I got an electric smoker...just got it...and I used to smoke on gas....but now in Giant/Safeway/Wegmans/Kroger I see Smoked Turkey legs (3 for $4) or smoked fish (1 lb for $6), Smoked and BBQ basqued ribs for (1lb $7) how is smoking the meat myself more economical than that?!  

I mean I can't mess it up I can fail a smoke or over smoke it or not smoke it enough, please please give me encouragement that my expenditure was for not for naught. 

So "tempnexus", do you like Filet Mignon??

Below is one I just posted yesterday.

It was about a 7 pound Beef Tenderloin.

I smoked it to a finished Internal Temp of 139°.

It was perfect, and my Wife & I each enjoyed a few slices for our Supper with sides.

I sliced the leftover Roast & divided it up, and Vacuum Sealed the leftovers in 5 Bags.

I froze 4 of them & we ate the other one two nights later.

I will reheat them all to 138° IT in my Sous Vide Machine, and they will be exactly like those first slices were when I removed them from the Smoker the first night.

So Mrs Bear & I each end up with 6 Filet Mignon, Medium Rare for a total of about $54 plus Veggies.

That's 12 Filet Mignon Meals for $54, or About $4.50 per meal.

What would 12 Filet Mignon meals cost you in your favorite Restaurant???---$300---$400---More???

Here's where it all started:

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/267738/smoked-beef-tenderloin-on-sale

Bear

 

[browneyesvictim]

 
Sure, I got an electric smoker...just got it...and I used to smoke on gas....but now in Giant/Safeway/Wegmans/Kroger I see Smoked Turkey legs (3 for $4) or smoked fish (1 lb for $6), Smoked and BBQ basqued ribs for (1lb $7) how is smoking the meat myself more economical than that?!  

I mean I can't mess it up I can fail a smoke or over smoke it or not smoke it enough, please please give me encouragement that my expenditure was for not for naught. 

Blasphemy!

In all seriousness... if your palate cant tell the difference between the two, and you lack the time/effort/resources that is required to produce the real quality stuff, then no. Just go buy and eat whatever heat lamp food suits your fancy. Heck! Even I get a craving for that stuff once in a while- especially if I am traveling.

 

[griz400]

You cant buy a "fattie" at kroger .......................