Just a miserable time smoking this past weekend

[Stopsign32v]

#1 biggest mistake I did was not start smoking earlier.

• Haven't used the grill in a long time so I thought I had charcoal.
• I go to start smoking at 8am and notice that I have no charcoal.
• So going to Walmart to get some set me back 1 hour.
• It's now 9am and I've just started to heat the charcoal in the chimney.
• What feels like forever later the bottom charcoal was just getting ash so I pull it all and dump it in the offset.
• Put the butt on
• Threw on a cold piece of wood which surprise, won't lite
• Temp is surprisingly low (not really looking back the charcoal wasn't completely hot)
• It's now getting towards afternoon in South Carolina and the heat is getting well into the 80's with full sun.
• I'm constantly fighting this smoker with small windows of stable heat due to me not wanting to cook in the sun.
• I get flame ups because I'm running out of time for dinner and I want to speed up the process.
• The rub gets scorched and burnt which was the nail in the coffin.
• Finally wrap it and take it inside after smoking for 4-5 hours and put it in the oven ending this brutal smoke.

Mistakes were made my friends...Oh were they ever.

Lessons learned that day that will never happen again:

1. NEVER get in a hurry again, start early no matter what.
2. LOW and slow.
3. NEVER smoke again in the South Carolina sun during June.

I'm just glad it's over.

 

[smokerjim]

Sure sounds like a miserable time, hope the butt turned out good any way

 

[normanaj]

Mistakes suck but they can serve a purpose,you experience them and then don't repeat them.

 

[schlotz]

Just need to have a plan in place the day before (check supplies, smoker cleaned & ready, meat prep) and then work it. 9# bone-in butts can easily be smoked and ready for dinner the same day.

 

[Newglide]

One of those days, We all F-up, good thing is you learned a few things. Also get a canopy so you can smoke in the SC summers

 

[Barefootdog]

I recommend Vodka Tonics.....2 or 3 Vodka Tonics.

 

[02ebz06]

I recommend Vodka Tonics.....2 or 3 Vodka Tonics.

It doesn't have to be a bad day to enjoy a couple.

 

[Stopsign32v]

I recommend Vodka Tonics.....2 or 3 Vodka Tonics.

Just hit it hard around 10am in June heat

 

[Torch&Tone]

<considers smoking up some pork>
<checks weather>

"Is this what they mean by 'salad days'...?"

 

[Barefootdog]

It's going to be a blistering 85 degrees in Western Oregon today.....
I'm three hours into the cook......Liter of Luksusowa Vodka is in the freezer, limes and tonic are new.....Heaven protect us from getting dehydrated during our labors......

Ready for the wrap at 6 1/2 hours, 168 internal.

 

[chopsaw]

<checks weather>

I just went out and plugged in the pellet grill and flipped the switch . Read out was 135 before I even fired it up . I'll watch it from inside the house .

 

[Stopsign32v]

It's going to be a blistering 85 degrees in Western Oregon today.....
I'm three hours into the cook......Liter of Luksusowa Vodka is in the freezer, limes and tonic are new.....Heaven protect us from getting dehydrated during our labors......View attachment 720367

What are you smoking at? Pellet or offset? I must REALLY have my heat too high. 3 hours in mine resembled the color under neath your butt.

 

[Bumppo]

Yup. Mistakes were made. I know you're saying you won't make them again, but the best advice is be prepared, because mistakes will be made again. Maybe even the same exact ones. Happens to everyone.

 

[Barefootdog]

Pellet smoker at 255 actual.
Just added a small smoke tube loaded with Pecan.

Light on the rub....want the flavor of the pork, smoke and bark to come forward.
Lexington sauce to finish at the table.

 

[Bumppo]

<considers smoking up some pork>
<checks weather>

View attachment 720358

"Is this what they mean by 'salad days'...?"

Thats the way the weather is here, too. My office mate took these two days off and decided to do some beef ribs. He was cooking on a kamado, so I suggested he roll it into the sun to save on charcoal

 

[JC in GB]

Happens to us all at some point. Sometimes it feels like you couldn't fall off a log right. Things will go better next time for sure.

JC

 

[normanaj]

101 in the backyard.