A few weeks ago, I picked up an electric Brinkman from the local Lowe's. Given that it's not exactly grill season here in CT, pickins were slim to say the least. I managed to get the last one they had in a somewhat beatup box. My quick inspection in the middle of the store showed it had everything and wasn't damaged...score!
Last weekend, I smoked a precooked ham. It actually came up to temp faster than I thought. I was worried about drying it out, so I pulled the plug...then plugged it in for another hour before we ate. It came out pretty good, but I felt it could have been smokier. I was also using homemade chips (dried applewood) and I have a feeling I cut them too small. (1/2" chips roughly)
Yesterday, we did a 4.5lb chicken. It was brought up to room temp, we put some lemon slices and and fresh herbs under the skin and rubbed the outside with Kosher salt. This time, I created chunks that were about 3-4" long and about 1/2-3/4" thick. Also we tossed some lemon and herbs in the water pan. The ol' remote thermometer came in real handy on this smoke.
Of course, I decided to do this on one of the coldest days we've had since last winter. Highs yesterday were in the 20's. I did the smoke on our covered porch, so that kep the wind away as it's only open on two sides and has a roof.
The book that came with the Brinkman said it would take 4-5 hours. That was actually pretty accurate. By last last hour hour and a half, I noticed the temp was rising, but not nearly as fast as it was earlier. We were able to get the bird up to 176 (just shy of the recomended 180) and then tossed it in the oven for about 5-7 minutes just to be safe.
Given the ouside temps, I thought that was a pretty decent time frame for smoking. (Any thoughts?)
The chicken was unreal. The applewood gave it a wonderful smokey flavor. I usually like some type of homemade gravy on chicken or turkey, but I was just as happy to eat this stuff "dry". The skin had almost a bacon like taste to it.
All in all, what a fun toy. I know it's not a traditional/pursuits type smoker, but for ease of use and end result, I'm very very happy with it.
Last weekend, I smoked a precooked ham. It actually came up to temp faster than I thought. I was worried about drying it out, so I pulled the plug...then plugged it in for another hour before we ate. It came out pretty good, but I felt it could have been smokier. I was also using homemade chips (dried applewood) and I have a feeling I cut them too small. (1/2" chips roughly)
Yesterday, we did a 4.5lb chicken. It was brought up to room temp, we put some lemon slices and and fresh herbs under the skin and rubbed the outside with Kosher salt. This time, I created chunks that were about 3-4" long and about 1/2-3/4" thick. Also we tossed some lemon and herbs in the water pan. The ol' remote thermometer came in real handy on this smoke.
Of course, I decided to do this on one of the coldest days we've had since last winter. Highs yesterday were in the 20's. I did the smoke on our covered porch, so that kep the wind away as it's only open on two sides and has a roof.
The book that came with the Brinkman said it would take 4-5 hours. That was actually pretty accurate. By last last hour hour and a half, I noticed the temp was rising, but not nearly as fast as it was earlier. We were able to get the bird up to 176 (just shy of the recomended 180) and then tossed it in the oven for about 5-7 minutes just to be safe.
Given the ouside temps, I thought that was a pretty decent time frame for smoking. (Any thoughts?)
The chicken was unreal. The applewood gave it a wonderful smokey flavor. I usually like some type of homemade gravy on chicken or turkey, but I was just as happy to eat this stuff "dry". The skin had almost a bacon like taste to it.
All in all, what a fun toy. I know it's not a traditional/pursuits type smoker, but for ease of use and end result, I'm very very happy with it.
