smoke em if ya got em

  • Some of the links on this forum allow SMF, at no cost to you, to earn a small commission when you click through and make a purchase. Let me know if you have any questions about this.
SmokingMeatForums.com is reader supported and as an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases.

joelh

Newbie
Original poster
Mar 24, 2013
10
10
Hey guys, im new to the site. Ive been lurking for awhile tho. Ive been toying around with my new braunfels side box smoker for about 2 years now, but by no means am I satisfied with my results yet. My biggest struggle is building and maintaining coals for the duration I need. A lot of times I end up finishing in our oven just because I cant maintain a decent temp in the smoker anymore. I struggle or shall I say "have to deal with" mother nature and all her glory in the cold weather of North Dakota. So, cold weather smoking tips will be gladly accepted as well.

Thanks guys

Joel Herman
 
Hi Joel,

welcome1.gif
 to the SMF, the best BBQ site on the web.  Whatever you need to know about the fine art of BBQ you can find it right here, from recipes to technical knowledge.

One thing you need to know about us is that we like to see pictures of your creations and your gear.  We call it Q-View and its basically the 
Rules.gif
!!!

So, don't just talk about your food, show it!  Otherwise you may get a gentle reminder, like this...

worthless.gif
  or this...
th_What_NO_QVIEW.gif


Good Luck and Get Smokin'

Bill
 
I'll do my best not to let you guys down! I got a brisket going right now. I have more ambition then brains. We'll see how it turns out.
 
welcome1.gif
 to SMF!  We are so glad you joined us!   Would you mind updating your profile to show the other member where you are located?

Make sure you show the pictures of your smokes (q-view)!

Jeff offers a free 5 day E-Course.  Sign up...it's great information for us no matter what your experience level may be.

http://www.smoking-meat.com/smoking-basics-ecourse

If you need any help roaming around the forums....just holler!  Happy to help out!

Kat
 
Welcome aboard, Joel!  Glad you joined us.  You've found a great place to learn and share ideas.  Lots of friendly an knowledgeable folks here who enjoy helping one another.  Good luck with that brisket, and just ask when you need help and you'll get plenty.
 
Last edited:
I've tried posting pictures here, but it keeps telling me that it has to go through a moderator....give me the ability to please the masses please!!!!

thanks for letting me take part of this adventure.  I really enjoy being outside and being able to help with my share of the cooking around the house.  I get to feed my wife and two little girls with all of this, and they support me fully!  My youngest ate almost a half rack of ribs last time I made them, so I am thinking that I did good with them.

I really have struggled with this smoker though. Maybe some of you can help. It's a New Braunfels side box smoker. It is so "tinny."  It just doesn't seem to hold heat very well. I've been tempted to get some kind of insulation to wrap it with. Either that, or I'm going to figure out how to lay bricks or something inside to try and keep the chamber evently hot. I really seem to have to pour the coals in it with a longer smoke. I'll easily go through a bag or two or lump coal today with this Brisket.  I decided to add a rack or ribs and 4 quarters of chicken in there since I'll be smoking for such a long time with that brisket.  

Any advice is greatly appreciated. In the next year, I am going to be very, VERY active as the local bar here in Harwood, North Dakota has now started an annual Pig Roast competition. They give you 3 pork butts to season and smoke for the masses and it's the people's choice that wins. I think with Jeff's Rub and some practice, I'll be able to throw down with the best of them and maybe even suprise them a bit.  SO, I'm going to be making a LOT of meat this year to prepare for my first competition next April

Take it easy guys and gals.  

Joel
 
Glad you joined us Joel! :welcome1: from a fellow North Dakotan!
Smoking with an offset can be done in North Dakota in the winter, but it is more work than I tend to put in to it! One thing that will help your temps drastically is a welding blanket over the cooking chamber; this will insulate the heat in and the cold out. Harbor Freights has welding blankets at fairly reasonable prices.
I do pellets and propane in the winter and break out the charcoal in the spring, summer and fall..
 
Last edited:
I'll have to pick up a welding blanket. I can't believe I never thought of that....That will hold the heat for sure.  What part of ND are you from?
 
Ribs and the bird look great!
I grew up north of Devils Lake (Starkweather), lived in Fargo for 23 years and about 6 years ago moved north of Minot (Glenburn). How about you?
 
Last edited:
I live just 5 miles north of Fargo in Harwood.

The Brisket is coming along nicely. I have moved it from the smoker into the oven now as I was getting tired of running outside to keep the smoker going. Briskets make for a long day. As of 8:45pm, its temping at 180 and climbing. HOPEFULLY by bedtime, itll be done.when I moved it, I cut a sliver off of it......oh buddy :)
 
welcome1.gif
to the forum there are several mods that can be done to your smoker on this forum.I too have a horizontal with a SFB. extended the smoke stack down to the cooking grate made a charcoal box for it and a convection plate. welding blankets help a great deal
 
 
SmokingMeatForums.com is reader supported and as an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases.
Great deal on LEM Grinders!

Latest posts

Hot Threads

Clicky