My Wife Confesses: YES!!!

[silverwolf636]

The truth finally comes out. She was planning my smoke for today, which is going to be smoked pork chops, when she made an odd statement. She said, "Out of all my recipes that I (my wife) have for pork chops none of them compare to your (my) smoked chops. I looked at her and said, "What are you going to do when I go back to work?" She asked what is that suppose to mean and finally figured it out. I would have to stop smoking during the week. A total look of horror crossed her face. (I guess you had to be here) Then the earthquake hit. Well, she said, I guess you're gonna have to teach me to smoke then. Ya know, I appreciate -everything- that I have learned on this forum. But, when it comes to having to instruct my wife to do anything outside of quilting, sewing or soap operas, it's mission impossible. Since I've climbed on board here, I now smoke probably 4+ days a week and now I have to show her how to do it. Is this right? C'mon now gang...
***For the Newbie: Be careful, especially if you're laid off from work. If you get the info I got from this forum, your work load will increase at home. (ie planning daily smokes, you goin to the market for meats (don't take your cell phone, she'll have you doin all the shopping if ya do), and smoking dinner.) Don't forget your neighbors coming over w/fork and dish in hand. The decision is yours. But, when it comes to being called bak to work, will you/I go coz I'm enjoying this way too much..
thanx smoking meat forums.
--ray--

 

[rivet]

Remember be patient with her she's a newbie! Coach her like you got coaching here and you will be her hero.

 

[bbq engineer]

Wow Ray, I feel for you on this one. Mrs. Engineer is as unmechanical or structured as they come. It would never work out trying to instruct her how to smoke something, because first of all she would bristle because "I am telling her what to do"! A big big no-no around here if you know what I mean. Ain't nothing fiercer than a 5'6 130 lb Mrs. Engineer that you have told to do something.

It looks like bigger smokes are in order, and then you can use the leftovers during the week or food saver them for the freezer. It might work.

 

[fatback joe]

Sounds like a good excuse to pick up another smoker to me. Got to have "his" and "hers". LOL

 

[forluvofsmoke]

That is quite a revelation...a great boost of confidence as well.

If you plan on showing her the ropes, I would begin with the basics of the smoke process, low & slow, etc.

Then, I'd go on to the different rubs you use, and why you choose them for certain types/cuts of meat (more salt for break-down of higher fat content, etc, if you go into great depths in your rub formulations), and of course, how certain spices compliment the flavors of different meats.

Next, I'd look at the smoke woods, and how you would use milder/sweeter smoke for lighter flavored meats like poulty, pork chops/loin...sharper/heavier smoke for deeper flavored/larger cuts of meats like beef, lamb and certain cuts of pork.

Maybe if she understands why you do things the way you do, she'll be more receptive to the idea of learning how to make it all come together in that beloved smoke chamber.

She'll probably want to experiment with spices/smoke woods a little later on, after she's had a few good smokes to build her confidence, as we all eventually have done.

And, as stated, be patient with her...this won't be a one-day crash course. You'll be trying to teach what took you maybe a year or 2 to get really comfortable with, and she'll need time to absorbe all the info and try her hand at it to build her skill levels and confidence in her own abilities.

If she seriously wants to learn, it will all come together nicely. There's certainly nothing wrong with another addition to the smoking world. If she really enjoys eating it, and starts smoking her own creations, you and her will have a shared common interest which can really take you far in life. You could chaulk up one more bond in your relationship, which could bring a lifetime of pleasure.

I'd have to say GO FOR IT, brother!!!!!!!!

Whatever happens, let us know about your/her progress, and any tips you may need. This sounds like a fantastic opportunity!

Eric

 

[raceyb]

This reminds me of "when worlds collide" for some reason. It's like all of a sudden your personal oasis is being invaded. On one hand, it'll be nice to be able to eat more smoked meals, on the other hand, you didn't smoke them. lol

Well, you know where to tell her to do her homework and reading assignments. I look forward to her Roll Call.

 

[bmudd14474]

His and Her Smokers are a great Idea.

 

[silverwolf636]

I like all the ideas you guys are throwing at me.
I can relate with BBQ engineer tho. Me telling her what to do is going to be a change and RaceyB hit it too. LOL
As for his and her smokers, I knew there was a reason why I was drawing another up on AutoCAD. I almost have one completed. Actually, I've been working on two of them; another home smoker and one on a trailer. I think I better get the one on the trailer done first coz if this goes like I think, I'll need that trailer/smoker to pack my things. lol
--ray--

I have one big question though. Does this mean she has to go with me when it's time to go cut and split wood?

 

[nwdave]

I know that returning to work presents mixed blessings to you, but hey, you're gonna start getting a paycheck again. That's always a plus. I don't envy you the task of teaching your wife. Perhaps smoking on the weekends and then showing her how to re-heat properly would be a better solution.
There's no such problem in my household. The closest she'll get is to ask "Is it done yet??" or to carry the smoked item into the house. In her mind, the smoker and grill, sausage stuffer, meat grinder and any other device or attachment are not her concern or interest.

Face it, you suffer from the price of success. That isn't too bad a thing to have to suffer.

 

[mossymo]

My wife smokes quite often with our MES's, sure takes the pressure off me. It works out quite well and she not only understands me wanting different equiment and accessories, there is stuff she wants also.

My large upright gasser is about ready to be much more user friendly (will post that mod in the near future) and she will be using that one on her own also. I still have my Chargriller to myself though !!!

 

[john3198]

Geeez, I always considered the smoker part of the "man cave" around here. I guess I get kinda territorial

Sorta like teaching her to change her own oil and do tune-ups. Wait a minute, I forgot my girlfriend does all that. Nevermind...........

Hey, if you can pull off teaching her without serious negative marital implications, go for it. Get her signed up on the forum and she can learn like we are doing. Nothing wrong with that.

 

[rickw]

I showed the wife how to run the offset, she has gotten fairly good at it. I normally still do the rubs and get things ready the night but she's perfectly capable of operating the Horizon and turning out some good Q.

I'd say go for it, let the wife take on some of the work load.

 

[mossymo]

john3198

My wife is an awesome bbq/cook/baker/smoker.

My wife has been signed up on SMF for a few years now, since 07-07.

My wife has been deboning, processing deer, making sausage, jerky, etc. since 2000.

This is SMF, not a G.I. Joe Macho guy thingy if that is what you are into.....

Would you like my wife to change your oil and grease your zirks?

I do not intend to be rude but get over yourself, stick with the site and get back into smoking.....but remember, gals can smoke too !!!

 

[danj]

If I may, When I married my wife I was told to remember two (2) very important words for a long HAPPY marriage, "YES DEAR"
Thats all I got to say about that.

 

[pops6927]

Been following that sage advice for 38 continuous years so far and it's worked perfectly!
My wife has commented on my smoking, and said she wouldn't mind doing it at all if it weren't for all that smoke... way too smoky... guess she doesn't quite grasp the concept..

But, there are many of the fairer sex on this board that does. It's not that she won't try things. Back when George Jr. was in a baby carraige she'd come over to the store at night with me while I custom cut up hogs for farmers on the side after the store was closed and she skin out all the lard for me, got quite good at it too, then grind it into bags for me as well so the farmer's wife could render it down. We'd get permission to keep a few pounds of it ourselves and render it down in the oven for lard for pie crusts... makes THE BEST pie crusts you ever had! But, she stopped at cutting out the hog jowls tho. She'd be skinning the lard and rocking the carraige with her foot to keep the baby quiet; remember it well! She still comments on remembering smelling the sausage seasoning smells while there even today when I make up more of dad's breakfast sausage!

 

[silverwolf636]

Mossy, it has absolutely nothing to do with being selfish or macho or whatever else you listed. It's like a guy with his pickup or in my case, Jeep, it's my own little domain. I can hang my native-made dream catcher from the rearview mirror and put up a couple of pics of my kids on the visor and even throw my camo jacket on the floor and no one says anything.
Smoking is also my own little domain. I fire it up, tune in the radio, watch tv, or just relax whatever I want; my own little peace of mind and tranquility.
If she wants to learn, I will teach her.
--ray--