Hello from RI.
Don't ditch that MES! The simple rewire and the addition of a PID controller can turn it into an electric smoking machine so much better than a stock model.
My Camp Chef is kept inside the barn so I always just left the grease bucket hanging there. It probably took a year, but my 2 dogs finally discovered it. Found the bucket mashed flat at the top and the foil liner in shreds one day lol.FYI: when not in use you might want to place the grease bucket inside the hood so creatures don't get at it.
Do you know what pellets they use?^^^ This! If you hang around here you will get into sausage making… just sayin!
You will kick yourself if you let that MES go!
My Mom and Dad have a Traeger… though I am personally not a fan… they didn’t ask my opinion!
But I will say… it has kicked out some good Q… but not with Traeger pellets!
Good to know.Lumberjack pellets are my fav.
I prefer pellets with a 100% flavor wood of one type and make my own blends from there. My 2 favorite blends are 50% cherry with 50% pecan, but pecan pellets are hard to find. My second is a 50/50 blend of cherry and hickory.Is it better to use a blend or a single wood?
Thanks! Will look at it. I see this "sticky" post too... https://www.smokingmeatforums.com/threads/basic-pulled-pork-smoke.57139/. I'll look at both.Here is one I usually suggest to those just starting their smoking journey:
So you want to try smoking your first Pork Butt
There are many ways, and all of them can give great results. One of the reasons is that pork butts are very forgiving. Here is the recipe I usually pass on to those first starting with a smoker. The results are both predictable and repeatable. This recipe has never failed to delight who ever...www.smokingmeatforums.com
Congrats on the new Smoker, that one has the newer Trager D2 PID controller so it should work very good and hold consistent temps.Pulled Pork Tacos - Simplified and Reliable Dinner Timing
I have been craving some pulled pork tacos for a little while now so I thought the weekend would be perfect so we could eat them for the week. As I prepared this smoke, I thought I would document it so I could share with others a reliable and consistent way to do pulled pork and be able to plan...www.smokingmeatforums.com
Here's a good thread to read through that civilsmoker posted.
Ryan
I'll add it to my list! I just made it through the 38 pages of the basic pulled pork thread. Very interesting.Pulled Pork Tacos - Simplified and Reliable Dinner Timing
I have been craving some pulled pork tacos for a little while now so I thought the weekend would be perfect so we could eat them for the week. As I prepared this smoke, I thought I would document it so I could share with others a reliable and consistent way to do pulled pork and be able to plan...www.smokingmeatforums.com
Here's a good thread to read through that civilsmoker posted.
Ryan
Do you leave the pork in large pieces, or do you shred and then seal?Technically you don't need to do either, but I usually wet brine. 1000's of rub options, all I can say is you need to experiment but being your 1st shot I'd pick one that has ingredients you like. Smell and taste can help in picking one to try. As far as wood it's a similar thing, just about any of them will do fine. Fruit wood is definitely a good option. After years of smoking I usually default to hickory, sometimes adding some mesquite. Maybe I've become lazy but hey, it's what I like. Many think JJ's finishing sauce is very good. After trying it, the flavor profile for me wasn't something I cared that much for. Instead we use the defatted drippings which are plenty from the brined butt we smoke. Use the next day: just put it in the fridge. Usually the next day we portion out meals into vac bags, seal then freeze.
You have to really work at it to mess up pulled pork. It is the main reason it is recommended as a first cook.I'll add it to my list! I just made it through the 38 pages of the basic pulled pork thread. Very interesting.
Do it hot and fast, rest awhile wrapped in towels in a cooler and pull after it rests awhile. Reheat the next day in a foil pan. Save some of the juices rendered during the initial cook and defat it. Add that to the pulled pork when you reheat it to keep it moist. A finishing sauce is also an added plus.I'm trying to figure out the process I want o use to complete cooking one day, and then serve it up the next day (so that in the future, I could use the method for serving guests for an event).
That's good to know! I've done well with briskets, turkeys, chickens, and salmon in my electric smoker. Don't know why I've never tried pulled pork. The only meat that didn't come out great, was sausage I tried once, years back. Too dry.You have to really work at it to mess up pulled pork. It is the main reason it is recommended as a first cook.