Speaking of Smoke Rings

Spring Chicken

Years ago I read someone's post that a smoke ring in meat is not really important to the flavor and texture of the meat. It's just pretty...

Someone else mentioned that if you want to create a smoke ring in a Big Green Egg, you can simply drop in a couple of charcoal briquettes. I never tried it because I don't have briquettes handy, but it would be fun to try.

And I also heard that if you chill the meat before putting on the Egg, it gives the meat more time to absorb the smoke before it gets too hot to absorb anymore smoke.

Those are just some of the memories from long ago posts and I'm still a bit confused. So I went looking for answers. I ended up with the best explanation by going to Thirdeye's Playing With Fire and Smoke site.

http://playingwithfireandsmoke.blogspot.com/1996/03/smoke-rings.html

Take a look. I think you will enjoy knowing why and how smoke rings are important, or not important.

Spring "Smoke 'em If You've Got 'em" Chicken
Spring Texas USA

Charlie tuna

Went to "Judge's Cooking School" a few months ago and this "smoke ring" thing was a major issue in that they DID NOT consider it for any part of the grade.  Basically saying, it had zero effect on the actual taste of the meat??

Skiddymarker

Great link, good info, now I know why I get a nice smoke ring. A number of years ago I was told to start slow and heat to target grid temp over an hour or so with cold meat.

Pork loin is my favourite to get a smoke ring, because you can really see it and it looks wonderful. I stabilize my empty egg at 225 (or as low as I can get) then put the cold meat on the grid. I open things a nit and run to a target of 325-350 over the next hour or so. The smoke ring is pretty much a sure thing.

If using a highly seasoned loin where I want a "candy" crust, I just start at 325-350.

Parallel

Nice... I like to know the science behind cooking.

jlsm

Thanks so much. Haven't been pleased that I don't get rings with turbo ribs, and now I know definitely why. No, they don't add to the taste, they only stoke the ego. 

jccbone62

Great post.  I will have to try a few of the examples he gave in his blog.  Thanks.

The Cen-Tex Smoker

I just did everything except the tenerquick on this brisket (with pics of how I did it) and zero smoke ring.I never get them unless I add 10+ good size chunks of wood. I've never gotten them with lump alone but I do get them with kingsford thrown in. Brisket was awesome but no smoke ring. oh well....... http://eggheadforum.com/discussion/1149693/the-salado-brisket-numero-dos/p1

henapple

great article... thanks