Libertus, from Chicago suburbs

[libertus]

Hey everyone, it looks like you've got a great community here. I arrive by way of fattybombatty.com - I wonder if they intend on doing any more podcasts in the future.

I've smoked ribs three times over the past year or so on a cheap-o brand bullet smoker I bought at a garage sale. Results have been mixed, ranging from delicious to frustratingly awful my last time out, so I used some Christmas money to grab a Mastercraft 30" electric. 

I'm waiting for it to get here this week, and plan on doing a big cut of meat this weekend, but I'm running into issues trying to find the larger cuts. None of the supermarkets around here (Jewel, Dominick's, etc.) seem to carry any butts or briskets - just 'sirloin roasts' or similar names that I don't often see mentioned in BBQ discussions. Any tips on finding a good butcher so I can get started?

 

[fpnmf]

Welcome..

This site has tons of info.

I suggest you spend some time reading all the different forums and the WIKIs.

Ask questions and use the handy dandy search tool for specific interests!!

Take the awesome free E-Course!!!

Have a great day!!!

Craig

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/wiki/about-jeffs-5-day-ecourse
 
      Make bacon the easy way!!

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/forum/thread/109368/more-easy-made-bacon-with-q-view#post_666451

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/forum/thread/82034/how-to-post-qview-to-smf

 

[SmokinAl]

  Glad to have you with us!

 

[big casino]

Welcome to the forum

 

[graystratcat]

Welcome to the forum!  There are a ton of folks here that know A LOT about smoking and will help you out in a second with your questions!

As for where to find large cuts of meat for smoking, do you have Sam's Clubs or Costco's in St. Charles?  If you can't find a good butcher shop that can supply you the cuts you want, those two giant box stores should have what you need.  Especially butts and briskets as well as whole pork loins.

-Salt

 

[jrod62]

:welcome1:

 

[venture]

Welcome aboard!

In my area, it would be hard to imagine a store that doesn't carry pork butts. They may be called a Boston Butt or a pork shoulder roast.

Good luck and good smoking.

 

[big casino]

I think sometimes they refer to a pork butt as a shoulder roast? can anyone else vouch for this or am I trippin?

 

[johnnyveeee]

Welcome! Good luck and have fun!

I'd call around to any meat markets to see if they have some. I'm a transplanted Illini, and know corned beef and pastrami is big up there. It's all made out of brisket. Sams is a good option, or you could ask your store to bring one in for you.

 

[graystratcat]

Hey Big Casino, this might just be a North Carolina thing but down here a pork shoulder is made  up of the butt and the picnic (sometimes called picnic shoulder).   Sams and Costco (again down in NC) sell the picnic and butt together in one package.  Usually runs about 15 -18 pounds.   Actually on a live hog, the butt is attached directly to the picnic with the butt being on the top (front leg)

 

[big casino]

I see picnics and butts separated around here, never saw them together that would be a big hunk o meat

 

[SmokinAl]

They always come as a 2 pack here at Sam's.

 

[africanmeat]

 

[graystratcat]

The Sams pack (with the picnic and butt together) are great for making sausage.  Or, you can smoke the butt and grind the picnic or visa versa....same thing with the Costco package.  But the Costco shoulder is usually already boneless which make it easier for sausage or BBB...

 

[big casino]

around here at the bigger stores like sams I find  two butts in the package it is actually tough to find a picnic

 

[mballi3011]

First off welcome to SMF. You'll really like this place for there are a bunch of really good folks here that would just love to help you with just about anything to do with smoking meat. Then if you have any questions you just post them here or yu can try in chat for a faster answer. If you are really new to all of this I would recommend that you look up and take the e-course. It is free and it will also give you the basics on smoking. So with all that said now go and get something to smoke.

Welcome To Your New Addiction

 

[chef jimmyj]

Welcome to the SMF Family...JJ

 

[ecto1]

Welcome to SMF glad you can join us.  We are big on Pics and love to help everyone out.  Remember the only question that is dumb is one not asked.  You will not find a friendlier place to talk Que on the web.

You are going to fit in just fine.

 

[sprky]

 to SMF. You have come to the right place for smoking info. This site is loaded with great info just use the search bar at top of page to find what you are looking for. If you can't locate the answer just ask folks here are willing to share there knowledge. I suggest you take  the 5 day e-course on smoking its chuck full of great info.Smoking Basics 5-Day eCourse

Finding a good butcher is like finding a fine wine. You just gotta keep trying them out, till you find one you like. I went threw every butcher in my town, and didn't care for them. I use 2 butchers and they are 11-15 miles away, but they are great, I use 1 more then the other simply due to the fact he gives me a price break, simply cause I travel to him, and spread the word. my last order was fairly large and I got a surprise of 30% over my normal discount.

 

[frosty]

Welcome aboard Libertus!

As you can already see, there are so many experienced, friendly, helpful folks that will be able to answer any questions.

Please let us look over your shoulder by sending photos of your rig, and your efforts as well.

Good luck on finding a butcher or supplier!