Smokiness problems

[Smokeypete195]

Hey y'all,

(If I've posted this in the wrong place, please let me know).

Been smoking meat for about 10 years now, mostly on propane grills, with great success. Got a new grill last summer and have noticed some of the stuff I'm cooking isn't tasting very smoky at all. Some has - did some ribs last fall that were really good, a really smoky pork loin and the Christmas turkey was also quite tasty. But the last few things (turkey legs, ribs) have been ok but just not very smoky.

Today I did a brisket - about 10 pounds, mostly point. Set the grill up for indirect heat - two right-hand burners on, two left-hand burners off. Salted the brisket overnight. Put the rub on it this morning. Got the grill up to 225 (used my own digital thermometer, not the dial on the grill) and had the brisket on by 7:00 a.m, though I had some trouble keeping it at 225 the first hour due to a really cold wind and had to move the grill to a more sheltered spot on the deck, but then it was fine - temp swung between 220 and 250 throughout the day. Used hickory chips in foil packs. Hit it with smoke for about 6.5 hours - ended up having to do the last 2 hours in the oven as I ran out of propane :-(. Mopped it whenever I changed the wood chips out. Stalled a bit around 160 but not for too long. Didn't crutch. Pulled it when it hit 203F at about 5:15. Didn't rest it very long as everyone was really hungry. It was plenty tender and it was really good but I couldn't really taste any smoke.

Anyone have any ideas why some things are smoky and some are not at all? The grill isn't anything fancy - a brand sold by a Canadian grocery store chain. The only thing I have changed is I recently stopped soaking the wood chips - read somewhere it didn't matter.

Thanks for any thoughts you might have!

 

[gmc2003]

Soaking wood chips is a waste of time and water. You may want to look into the A-maze-N pellet tube. It will add smoke flavor to your food cooked in a grill. It's about 20 some odd dollars and worth every penny.

http://www.amazenproducts.com/product_p/amnts.htm

Chris

 

[bdskelly]

Hi Pete. Chris is giving you good advice. Inexpensive and effective. B

 

[SmokinAl]

I agree with the above, especially if you use their pellets too!
Al

 

[Braz]

You mentioned it was windy. Is it possible that the wind was causing the grill to draft a little too well and not allowing the smoke to linger in the box for any time at all?

 

[Smokeypete195]

Hey Braz,

Thanks for replying. I guess it’s possible. Like I said, I moved the grill to a more sheltered spot out of the wind, but some still could have been moving through the box.

 

[Geebs]

I agree with the above posts about the pellet tube!

 

[pops6927]

Todd's stuff is A-Maz-ING!

 

[pops6927]

Todd's stuff is A-Maz-ING!