Smoking for Travel...Best Way??

[3puttbob]

Hello Smoke Masters
I would like to know the best way to smoke for taking somewhere else. Want to smoke some pork shoulder and a little salmon for a pot luck party located 1 1/2 hours away. Should I cook to a couple hours short and finish at location? Cook all the way and try to keep warm? Or maybe cook all the way and freeze then reheat at location? Wondered if there's a cardinal rule or something.
Bob

 

[petesque]

Cook all the way and put in a cooler to rest. Use aluminum foil and towels in the cooler. It will stay hot for hours that way. Also put the fish on top of the pork to keep it warm.

Pete

 

[killbuck]

Yup. I wrapped a butt in foil and then in a big towel and into a cooler and almost 3 hours later it was still hot. Can't say about the fish tho. Never done that, it always gets eaten at home.

 

[irishteabear]

I agree with petesque. As long as you wrap them while they are still hot from cooking them, wrap it in towels and place in a well insulated cooler they should remain hot enough to eat when you arrive. Just make sure to bring a thermometer with you to be sure that the food is above 140o before serving it.

 

[sumosmoke]

To keep that cooler extra warm, dump some boiling water into the cooler about 10 min prior to putting the meat in. Before putting in the wrapped goodies, empty out the water then throw in the meat and insulate with some towels. That'll keep the meat really warm for transporting.

 

[nomorecoop]

1 1/2 hours should be fine. I leave my thermo plugged in when I have to have a butt sit for awhile. That way I can monitor the temp to make sure it doesn't get dangerous.

 

[3puttbob]

Thanks a billion for the suggestions. I feel more at ease about transporting cooked stuff. Everybody loves my smoked stuff but, nobody seems to come here for it. I'm a bit puzzled though. Once pork is cooked to a safe temp, isn't it safe afterwards even at just 100 deg.f.??





Love my GOSM

 

[nomorecoop]

To the best of my knowledge not really. Kinda like leaving out for too long. Safe when cold, but when it comes to room temp, can be dangerous.