Why is smoking meat-fish-veggies-ANYTHING so addictive?

[noboundaries]

As I stood looking at my smoker working away this afternoon, the hickory scented smoke wafting all around me, I realized I was standing on my patio, smiling, in a total state of bliss.  If a neighbor saw me they would probably think I was a bit touched. 

In reality though, I'll have wonderful tasting meat to serve my wife tonight, enjoying it myself too.  I've got cool electronic gadgets to keep me informed what's going on.  I'm using wood and charcoal I get a thrill finding on sale.  I spend hours on this forum typing with my smoking buds and budettes.  I finish one smoke and I'm already thinking about the next.  In every sense, except having a negative impact on my life, it is an addiction.  And I wouldn't have it any other way. 

What is it about using the smoker that is so dang satisfying?  Honestly, at this very moment, I feel like I've taken a drug, like I've got an endorphin high, or a dopamine sense of being in love.  It's not like I'm new to this, but I'm relaxed, calm, and happy.  Not a bad way to spend a Friday afternoon, or anytime.

Have a GREAT Memorial Day weekend everyone.  On Monday, please remember those who gave their all in the service to our country.

Peace.

Ray       

Here's an entertaining old thread worth a read.

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/160875/addiction

 

[crankybuzzard]

I've often wondered the same thing! It's defniitely something that gets in your blood and takes over the mind!

 

[lancep]

It's simple! Make a fire, cook food, eat and be happy. In modern society we are inundated with products that we "need" in order to be happy. New car, new boat, bigger house, bigger tv..... We just need to work more, get a better job, win the lottery, then we can be happy. The truth is good food, good company, the love and dedication of another person, and a comfortable place to sleep is pretty much all we need. And beer of course! Smoking brings us back to simplicity. Back to that little plywood and tar paper shack you stopped at on your way through Texas and had an amazing meal. Back to fond memories of your dad firing up the grill on summer sundays when the the only care you had in the world was how long till school started again. There's also a sense of accomplishment. I did that! I made fire and I made food. Yesterday, I cleared the creek bed with my 15 yo and mowed the back meadow. Then I kicked back on the back porch with my wife while my kids tried to fly a kite. All the while, the smell of dinner wafting from the smoker. Touched maybe, happy, yes!

 

[noboundaries]

It's simple! Make a fire, cook food, eat and be happy. In modern society we are inundated with products that we "need" in order to be happy. New car, new boat, bigger house, bigger tv..... We just need to work more, get a better job, win the lottery, then we can be happy. The truth is good food, good company, the love and dedication of another person, and a comfortable place to sleep is pretty much all we need. And beer of course! Smoking brings us back to simplicity. Back to that little plywood and tar paper shack you stopped at on your way through Texas and had an amazing meal. Back to fond memories of your dad firing up the grill on summer sundays when the the only care you had in the world was joe long till school started again. There's also a sense of accomplishment. I did that! I made fire and I made food. Yesterday, I cleared the creek bed with my 15 yo and mowed the back meadow. Then I kicked back on the back porch with my wife while my kids tried to fly a kite. All the while, the smell of dinner wafting from the smoker. Touched maybe, happy, yes!

Simplicity.  I think you nailed it LP!

 

[shyzabrau]

While I value simplicity to some degree, for me it is about the transformation. I especially like taking a cheap cut of meat and transforming it into something sublime. I don't need for it to be a simple process - I love my sous vide! I get the same kick brewing beer...

 

[SmokyMose]

I think, at least for me, that it's semi mindless. You have just enough to occupy your head that you forget about work or the sorry state of the world. Watch the pit temps and marvel at the hypnotizing thin blue smoke, chuck a stick in the box every so often, open or close a vent, pop another beer and move the chair to stay in the shade, knowing that in a few hours you're going to have pulled pork better than you could get in a restaurant.
I've been through a half dozen "hobbies" in the last 20 years or so, but I think this one is going to stick.

 

[crankybuzzard]

I think, at least for me, that it's semi mindless. You have just enough to occupy your head that you forget about work or the sorry state of the world. Watch the pit temps and marvel at the hypnotizing thin blue smoke, chuck a stick in the box every so often, open or close a vent, pop another beer and move the chair to stay in the shade, knowing that in a few hours you're going to have pulled pork better than you could get in a restaurant.
I've been through a half dozen "hobbies" in the last 20 years or so, but I think this one is going to stick.

Well said!

 

[tardissmoker]

Well said!

Exactly! I have had more than a half dozen hobbies but only one constant one. Smoking meat, fish, veggies, whatever. All 4 seasons even here in Canada (early winter, mid winter, late winter and construction) and it truly reduces the physcho-sclerosis (hardening of the attitudes)!!

 

[GaryHibbert]

Everything said so far is so very very true.

For me, its my time away from all the cares of the world. I get whatever I'm smoking into the MES and then I can sit back and just enjoy our little corner of peace and tranquility.

I can watch my temps and the TBS and not have to think or worry about anything. It's chicken soup for the soul.

At the end of the smoke, I add my contribution to the evening meal and feel good about taking some of the load off Miss Linda.

Gary

 

[remsr]

I can't speak for others but for me it sure feels good when I turn out good smoked food and people say it's the best they have ever tasted. I love tender, juicy, flavorful smoked meats, but what I love more is the good felling of satisfying others. I throw a neighborhood barbeque every year just for the satisfaction of satisfying others. My wife likes the same feeling and bakes 40 + different kinds of cookies and bars at Christmas then boxes them up and gives them away to family and friends in the neighborhood, which is pretty much the whole neighborhood. So in answer to your question, for me it's the chenlage, the feeing of accomplishment,the good feeling of giving and the soul satisfying taste that is so addictive.

Randy,

 

[noboundaries]

I love all these answers.  Thanks all for contributing to the thread.

Until I started smoking meat, the only lunch and dinner foods I would eat for breakfast was pizza and Italian, especially lasagna.  Now, at 7:35 AM PDT, wife still asleep, I'm thinking about the baked beans with bacon and smoked pork rib meat I smoked last night.  Just the thought of eating that again is making me smile.  I will eat some for breakfast.   

 

[lancep]

Sounds like the breakfast of champions!

 

[indaswamp]

 Originally Posted by Noboundaries  
 
As I stood looking at my smoker working away this afternoon, the hickory scented smoke wafting all around me, I realized I was standing on my patio, smiling, in a total state of bliss.  If a neighbor saw me they would probably think I was a bit touched. 

In reality though, I'll have wonderful tasting meat to serve my wife tonight, enjoying it myself too.  I've got cool electronic gadgets to keep me informed what's going on.  I'm using wood and charcoal I get a thrill finding on sale.  I spend hours on this forum typing with my smoking buds and budettes.  I finish one smoke and I'm already thinking about the next.  In every sense, except having a negative impact on my life, it is an addiction.  And I wouldn't have it any other way. 

It's a primal urge to eat. Humans have been cooking food since fire was discovered.

 What is it about using the smoker that is so dang satisfying?  Honestly, at this very moment, I feel like I've taken a drug, like I've got an endorphin high, or a dopamine sense of being in love.  It's not like I'm new to this, but I'm relaxed, calm, and happy.  Not a bad way to spend a Friday afternoon, or anytime.

I have hear that the human body does release endorphins in anticipation of eating food to repair cells.....I've never verified this though.

 

[jd76ers]

I am a total newbie, just finished my first smoke yesterday. Aside of the nervous energy, the process was incredible and last night after eating I was already planning my next cook.  So addicting.  Just trying to learn as much as I can, as fast as I can.

 

[noboundaries]

 
It's a primal urge to eat. Humans have been cooking food since fire was discovered.

I have hear that the human body does release endorphins in anticipation of eating food to repair cells.....I've never verified this though.

Never heard that, but it makes sense.  Back when I did a lot of weight lifting and long distance running, I distinctly remember the endorphin high I would get.  Standing blissfully on my porch the other day felt EXACTLY like that. 

 

[noboundaries]

 
I am a total newbie, just finished my first smoke yesterday. Aside of the nervous energy, the process was incredible and last night after eating I was already planning my next cook.  So addicting.  Just trying to learn as much as I can, as fast as I can.

It only gets better with experience.  Enjoy the addiction. 

 

[remsr]

It may be the smoke that is so addictive. So we better keep it quiet so that the government don't put restrictions on smoking or declare it a hazard to our health. LOL
Remember back in the Hippi days of the 60's when the hippies convinced authorities that smoking dried banana peelings made you high? Just saying. [emoji]128522[/emoji]

Randy,

 

[vennismokin]

Wife was away for a bit last weekend, and I was gettin antsy. So I text her with one sentence, "my smoker isn't smoking"

She replies, "whats wrong with it?"

I reply, "it's not smoking"

She. "can you fix it?"

Me, "yes hurry up and get home"

She, "Why I can't fix it."

Me, "Yes you can I need someone to cook for!!!"

she got a good laugh, but its so true!

I told her later, I think I enjoy the art more than I do eating it, although I love eating my art, but I love making art more. If that makes sense to anyone, confused myself a little there.