Tex Mex Snack Sticks - MES Dead No Problem!

[smokinhusker]

I already had this mixed up to smoke when the element gave out on the MES40. Since it had Cure #1 in it, I didn't think it could be frozen until either the new element showed up or I bought a new smoker, so I decided I'd go ahead and cold smoke them a couple hours and then throw them in the oven to cook them. 

So I got them stuffed and hung in the smoker with some hickory and cherry. No problem. About an hour in I remembered a 525 watt electric charcoal starter I had seen in the storage shed and figured if I could get the temp to at least 150* - 170* with it, I'd be a happy camper. Plugged it in, put it in the smoker and away we went. 

While I realized I wouldn't be able to control the temperature, I'd just do whatever I had to to keep fairly steady low temps in the smoker. I was surprised, without the cookie sheet baffle, I could get temps up to 230* with this thing and with the cookie sheet inserted on the bottom rack I could maintain temps of 159* - 173*. 

Yeah snack sticks got done!

The element I used:

Element.jpg

• smokinhusker
• Aug 21, 2012

This finished snack sticks, PS Seasonings Tex Mex (these babies are hot):

DSC_0809.jpg

• smokinhusker
• Aug 21, 2012

DSC_081108202012.jpg

• smokinhusker
• Aug 21, 2012

My dad is going to be a happy person when he gets these!

Thanks for looking.

 

[jrod62]

Looks good !!
I love HOT Snack stick. Going to have to make some of them .

 

[scarbelly]

Man those turned out nice. Great idea using that element for heat 

 

[smokinhusker]

Thank you! They are hot...the first time I made them I fried a small patty - way too hot for me - I spit out the first bite. My dad loves HOT food, says these are the best I've made for him!

 

[smokinhusker]

Man those turned out nice. Great idea using that element for heat 

Thanks Gary...it gave me better temps than the MES the 1200 watt element quit...now we'll see what happens when I get the new element.

 

[BGKYSmoker]

Nice sticks.

PS makes good seasoning and they make the Cabelas seasoning kits.

That worked pretty good.....EH

I recently put a new 1000w in my Bradley

1000WT.jpg

• BGKYSmoker
• Aug 21, 2012

 

[smokinhusker]

Thanks Rick! I didn't want to throw out another batch of it, I threw 5 lbs out when I evacuated. Thought my dad was going to break down when I told him it went in the trash. 

I've looked at the Bradley's but I just don't want to deal with those pucks...how long a smoke do you get from one?

 

[BGKYSmoker]

Thanks Rick! I didn't want to throw out another batch of it, I threw 5 lbs out when I evacuated. Thought my dad was going to break down when I told him it went in the trash. 

I've looked at the Bradley's but I just don't want to deal with those pucks...how long a smoke do you get from one?

20 mins from each puck but i use my ANZNPS in my bradley most the time

 

[smokinhusker]

That's what I thought you used. I'm seriously looking at the Bradley 6 rack at BP http://www.basspro.com/Bradley-Smoker-Electric-Smoker-Model-BTIS1/product/45487/61258  and pair it with the AMZNPS...it is double the cooking size of the MES40. Is this a decent one? I know you really like yours.

 

[shortend]

SmokinHusker, way to use the ole' noggin'!! You may be able to knock a good smokingmeat member down, but ya can never count 'em out. Ingenuity will always, "endeavor to persevere". Damn good lookin' sticks ta boot!

ShortEnd

 

[kadoka]

Nice lookin sticks! I agree, I think the Bradley and a AMZNPS were made for each other.

 

[smokinhusker]

Nice lookin sticks! I agree, I think the Bradley and a AMZNPS were made for each other.

Thank you! I'm seriously looking at the combination

SmokinHusker, way to use the ole' noggin'!! You may be able to knock a good smokingmeat member down, but ya can never count 'em out. Ingenuity will always, "endeavor to persevere". Damn good lookin' sticks ta boot!

ShortEnd

Thank you, I was a military wife and mom, so "endeavor to persevere" or "adapt and overcome"!

 

[chef jimmyj]

Looks like some nice Sticks...I love Hot foods...JJ

 

[smokinhusker]

Looks like some nice Sticks...I love Hot foods...JJ

Thank you JJ...these are hot!