Meat Smoking Q & A
Learning how to smoke meat can be perplexing at times, especially when you're just starting out. If you have a question, search the existing Q&A categories to find the answer. If you can't find your answer there, try a Google search of Smoker-Cooking.com. Just enter your search term, click on the Smoker-Cooking.com button, then click Search. This is one of the easiest ways to find specific information on this website. If your question is still unanswered, feel free to submit your question into the form on the appropriate Q&A Category page.
Because of the number of questions received, I can't guarantee that every one of them will be answered.
Q&A CategoriesVisit the following Q&A Categories to search for the answers to your problems, or just to browse and learn from past inquiries. And if you don't find what you need after searching for the answer to your problem, submit your question on the appropriate page.
Beef Q&ABEEF -- Here you'll find information about smoked briskets, chuck roasts, prime ribs, beef tri tips, rib eye steaks, hamburgers, meatloaf, beef jerky...if it's about beef, you'll find it here. Sample Questions Tri Tip Cooked In Oven
I'm making tri-tip in the oven and the recipe is for 2-3 lbs, but I'm making 12-15 lbs. Do I have to double the cooking time? 2-3lbs cooks in 40 minutes for medium.Brisket-Smoking Fat Side Up or Fat Side Down
Slow smoking brisket - should it be fat up or fat side down? Internal Temperature of Brisket Seems Too Hot
Why do you suggest cooking brisket to an internal temperature of 190-200 degrees F? This is even warmer than well done red beef. Does this higher temperature ensure the breakdown of the fat? Any help is appreciated. Smoking Chuck Roast
What are the do's and dont's of smoking a chuck roast? Help please. I have a Masterbuilt smoker. I have smoked ribs, turkeys, pork loins, but never smoked a chuck roast. Smoking a whole beef ribeye
What kind of tips would you have for smoking a whole beef ribeye? Find More About Smoking Beef...
Meat Smokers and Equipment Q&AMEATSMOKERS & EQUIPMENT -- Got a problem with your meatsmoker or grill? Having a hard time maintaining the temperature at the ideal level? Got a question about knives? Thermometers? Rib Racks? Charcoal chimneys? If you have an equipment related problem, find the answer here.Sample Questions Royal Oak electric smoker
I have a Royal Oak electric smoker that won't smoke. I set it up per the instructions, turned it on high and 3 hours later I atill have no smoke. The temp reads around 400 degrees.I don't understand the problem here. I have two whole birds sitting in the fridge waiting to be smoked. At this rate its gonna end up being Dominoes for dinner.Please helpChecking internal meat temps in smoker
I have an electric smoker. I have yet to use it. It says to keep the door closed. How do I know when the chicken's internal temp reaches 160 and is done as your recipe states? getting started with my first smoker
I just bought my first smoker and was planning on smoking ribss this weekend using hickory wood. but how do i get it started? do i need to throw preheated charcoals in and then put my wood on top or do i just put my wood in and light it up? Im using a side firebox type smoker. Curing a New Meat Smoker
I just bought a new Brinkmann electric smoker. After I get it put together, is it ready to start smoking in? Is there anything I should do before smoking meat in it? I've heard about curing new smokers but am not sure what that is. Find More About Meatsmokers and Equipment
Pork Q&APORK -- Pork loins, Boston butts, pork shoulders, cured hams or fresh hams. Look for solutions to your pork problems here. Sample Questions NC Pulled Pork Using Fresh Butchered Pig...Amazing!
Took your advice about scoring the skin on the butchered pork shoulder. This piece of meat turned out amazing. Thanks for all the help.What is the new pork done temperature?
I was planning to cook a couple of pork loins for this Memorial Day, and wanted to know what the actual done temperature is now. I thought pork had to be cooked to 160 degrees, but heard that's no longer the case. Is there a new done temperature for smoking pork? What temperature does pork have to be cooked to now? Pork Fat & Sugar Appetizer Recipe
I like to smoke these little appetizers in the last hour of smoking larger items. Cut any type of smoked sausage (I like kielbasa) in 3/4" rounds. Cut bacon strips in middle and wrap half around each sausage round with part of the bacon hanging over the end of the sausage and then skewer with a tooth pick. Place in smoker with the bacon overhang end pointing up. Fill the top overhang end with brown sugar and smoke for about an hour. Your guests will fight over these. These tidbits have what is key to the southern palate, pork fat and sugar..yum! Find More About Smoking Pork
Turkey Q&ASMOKED TURKEY -- For help smoking turkeys, brining turkeys, and marinating and injecting turkeys, visit the Smoked Turkey Q&A page. Refrigeration and reheating of smoked turkeys is also covered here.Sample Questions Brining Turkey Is It Absolutely Necessary?
Do you absolutely HAVE to brine a turkey before you smoke it?smoking a turkey breast how long does it take
Is there a general rule as to how long per pound to smoke a turkey breast? Reheating Previously Smoked Turkeys
I smoked two turkeys yesterday and want to freeze one of thm to eat later. What's the best way to reheat a smoked turkey that's been frozen? By the way, if it helps, the turkey I froze weighed 11 pounds before it was smoked. Injecting a Turkey - Where To Inject Marinade
Where do I inject the turkey? Smoking Turkey Breasts and Legs Together
I have a Brinkman electric kettle smoker with two racks for smoking. I am going to be smoking a 7lb turkey breast and 4 legs for Thanksgiving. Which rack would be best for the legs and which one for the breast and will the cooking times be very much different, or should they all take about the same time? smoking turkey on grill how much smoke wood to use
We are smoking our first turkey on a gas grill and we aren't sure how many wood pouches we will need.so,what is the ratio of smoke needed per pound of turkey? Find More About Smoking Turkey
Poultry Q&APOULTRY -- How long do I smoke a chicken? How do I make the skin crispy on my smoked chicken breasts? What's the best way to smoke a duck? If smoking birds drives you batty, visit the Poultry Q&A page. (If it's turkey info you need, visit the smoked turkey section.)Sample Questions new at this smoking chicken wings
i just got a new Brinkmann electric smoker, and it has no thermometer on it, so tell me how to cook the wings and for how long. Smoking Duck
How about smoking duck- both the breast and the "dark meat"? I have not seen very much on this topic. In western Washington the obvious wood is alder (the Tribal favorite for salmon) but I also have lots of cherry. I am smoking in charcoal/wood Brinkman. Thanks! Tough Smoked Chicken Skin
I am pretty new to smoking foods, but every time I smoke chicken or chicken wings, the skin comes out tough and rubbery. nothing like the ones I have gotten at restaurants or cook-offs. What step am I missing or what am I doing wrong? home raised chicken, tough as a buzzard.
my son has started to raise chickens. Not knowing much these chickens are Road Island Reds, should be butchered at 16 weeks. Well, that didn't happen. Now it's about 18 weeks, he butchered 3 and I baked them, they were as tough as boot soles. For real. Can you help me figure out what to do? We have 23 of these buzzards to eat..........:) Find More About Smoking Poultry
Ribs Q&ARIBS -- All about ribs...pork spareribs, baby back ribs, country style ribs, beef back ribs and beef short ribs. Smoking ribs, grilling ribs, preparing ribs...find what you need here.Sample Questions apple ribs recipe best ribs ever
You guys had a apple smoked rib recipe on your site some time ago and I lost it. It invovled apple juice marinade and a dry rub with white pepper and cumin. That's about all I remember.Just wondering if it's still on your site. Best ribs I have ever had. Placing Baby Back Ribs In Vertical Smoker Top or Bottom Rack
Hello...My charcoal H20 smoker has 2 racks. Question is can I put one rack of Baby Backs on each rack or do they need to go on top or bottom? Do not think both racks of ribs will fit on one rack of smoker. Also I guess about 4 hrs. would be good? Making Spare Ribs In Oven
I am trying to make some ribs this weekend but this will be my first try doing so. I need help. All I have is an elctric oven and a microwave oven. Please help me determine how to prepare some good ribs for about 15 people. I am sorry to sound so ignorant but I would really like to learn how to make some good baby back or spare ribs and determine what kind of barbecue sauce to marinate them with! Thanks for any help you can give me this week! Water or no water in pan when smoking ribs?
I just found this web page and LOVE it!!!! My name is Bruce and I love to cook, bbq and especially use my smoker. My wife and I travel in our 5th wheel camper and also go to NASCAR events. I have a vertical 48" stainless steel smoker from Cabela's we love it. I have a rub that uses 13 spices and brown sugar. Love that as well. BUT.......I am a bit confused about one thing. When I do my ribs (full slabs not baby back) I fill the water bowl located in the bottom just above the smoke box with a mixture of apple cider, apple cider viniger, oj, water, whole head of garlic and some Jack or Jim Beam. I was told by a "Smoker Master" that I should never use liquid or add moisture to ribs. Rather mop or a spray bottle of this liquid would be better. I have used this method for chicken and it always stays so juicy and tender. Do I want to keep things dry in the smoker and just periodically spritz with liquid. I am confused. The ribs always seem delicious I cook them at about 200-225 for 4-6 hours. As soon as the bone really starts to wigle free. Maybe they suck, and I just think they are good. Will a different method be better???Thanks so much for your advice and thanks for this great web site. Find More About Smoking Ribs
Seafood Q&ASEAFOOD -- If you need to perfect you salmon smoking technique, smoking shrimp, or want to smoke some oysters, this is where to find help. If it swims, you'll find it in this section.Sample Questions Simple smoked salmon question, how long to brine?
I have 2 1/4 pounds of salmon, the best I could find, about 3/4 to 1 inch in thickness. I'm using a basic brine with kosher salt, brown sugar, and water. But how long should I actually brine it for? No website seems to come out and just say it... "Brine for 2 hours" or "Brine it for 5 days"... I just have no idea.Smoked Shark
My daughter is giving me 6 shark steaks. After thinking about it for a couple days, I think I would like to put them in my smoker as I have had a lot of success with doing catfish. I am not sure about a marinade or anything else to do with them. Can I do the shark the same way I have done catfish? Any suggestions, tips or advice? Smoking Shell On Shrimp
I got a smoker about a month ago and have had very good success so far. Your site is great with step by step instructions, recipes and insight. I tried smoking shrimp yesterday and left the shells on. i cooked them about an hour and a half and getting the shells off was tough and frustrating. Any suggestions? Smoking salmon on a small weber grill
I live in an apartment and don't have room for a grill and a smoker. So, can I smoke salmon on my small Weber grill - it's a "Smokey Joe" I think. I'm not sure how. Find More About Smoking Seafood
Other Smoked Foods Q&AOTHER SMOKED FOODS -- Questions and answers about wild game, ingredients, side dish recipes, appetizers, smoked cheese, and foods that don't fit in one of the other categories can be found here.Sample Questions Smoked cheese - tips for smoking cheese
Do you have any tips for smoking cheese?How To Smoke Bratwurst?
Hi, Love your website and thank you. Just got a smoker for Christmas so I'm a rookie. I've tried a few things with varying results. I was wondering how to smoke bratwurst, or how long to smoke it. Can't find a whole lot about it. Smoking Bison Roasts
Just got my first smoker, a MasterBuilt Electric. Going to start with two bison roasts. Due to much lower fat content, would really appreciate any suggestions RE: tips on bison smoking in general and these two roasts, about 4 pounds each. Thanks in advance. How to determine smoking time when combining meats?
We are smoking ribs and pork loin - our directions give directions for both - 45 min's per pound - but since they are 2 seperate meats, is it the same or do they cook simotaneously? Thanks JS Find More About General Meatsmoking Information
General Meatsmoking Q&AGENERAL MEATSMOKING QUESTIONS -- Questions and answers about smoking woods, Tender Quick curing mix, sooty, black smoked meat, and other meat smoking issues that you need help with.Sample Questions Who's the big winner of the Weber Smoker?
Did you ever pick a winner for the weber smoker? I know the contest ended on dec 23rd, but the link is gone and I did not see it.Can You Use Match Light Charcoal?
Is it safe to use Match Light Charcoal(charcoal with pre-soaked lighter fluid on it) to smoke meat? Is Soaking Wood Chunks Necessary?
I have a new Brinkman Propane Vertical Smoker and have been reading different views on soaking wood chips and chunks. Most people say it makes sense to soak the chips because they are small and will burn. What about soaking chunks? Is it necessary to soak smoker wood chunks in water? Magnolia Wood for Grilling?
Is magnolia safe for grilling? A lightening strike recently felled a large magnolia in our yard and we are wondering if it is safe to use for grilling. Thanks! Best Charcoal to Use
Who has the best charcoal out there and what do you recommend???? Find More About General Meatsmoking Information
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