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Foil pouch for smoking

Simcan
Simcan Posts: 287
in EggHead Forum

I am making a jerk ham for Christmas (bone-in, shank-end, Frenched) and was hoping to use pimento wood for smoking.  Unfortunately I can't get any at a reasonable cost, so as a work-around I was planning on using apple, maybe some hickory, and to get some pimento smoke I was thinking I could buy some whole dried allspice berries (which are from the pimento tree), and put them in a foil pouch with some holes punched in the top.

Anyone tried something like this? I feel like if I just toss them on the charcoal they'll burn up too fast.

Toronto ON
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Comments

  • RRP
    RRP Posts: 26,455
    edited December 2015
    even HD foil will melt on the coals. What I used to use was the bottom cut off an aluminum beer can. Its easy to cut, but also be careful of the sharp edges. If you really want to make a cool "puck" then cut two bottoms off, cut a small dart in one so that it will slip inside the other. Then drill or punchl some holes in both bottoms. Fill the bottom, slip in the other and toss that puck in the coals!



    Re-gasketing the USA one yard at a time 
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  • Acn
    Acn Posts: 4,490
    I've done whole cloves, cardamom pods, and cinnamon sticks straight on the fire

    LBGE

    Pikesville, MD

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  • fishlessman
    fishlessman Posts: 34,589
    used to do it all the time with pellets, will work fine. towards the end of the cook, slide a spatula thru the grate and you can bounce some more towards the center of the fire off the spatula.
    fukahwee maine

    you can lead a fish to water but you can not make him drink it
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  • gdenby
    gdenby Posts: 6,239
    I've tossed in whole allspice berries. No foil, Every bit as effective as pimento wood, tho' pricier. A tablespoon or less scattered around un-glowing coals. The aroma is perfumy, like an incense.
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  • Simcan
    Simcan Posts: 287
    OK, thanks all.  I guess I will go the lazy route and scatter.  In doing a little research I plan on using some fresh bay leaves as well.
    Toronto ON
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  • kthacher
    kthacher Posts: 155
    You starting with a pre-cured ham?  This idea has tweaked my interest for Xmas too.
    Winnipeg, Canada
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  • Tinyfish
    Tinyfish Posts: 1,755
    Looking forward to the cook.
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  • Simcan
    Simcan Posts: 287
    @kthacher yes, you can see my other thread on the plan.  As it turns out, this year we are going to a larger family thing rather than our usual tradition but I love the recipe so will likely do it early in the new year.  Try it, you'll love it.
    Toronto ON
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  • McStew
    McStew Posts: 965
    fresh rosemary sprigs is also good to try 

    Hermosa Beach CA 
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  • Little Steven
    Little Steven Posts: 28,817
    Simcan said:

    I am making a jerk ham for Christmas (bone-in, shank-end, Frenched) and was hoping to use pimento wood for smoking.  Unfortunately I can't get any at a reasonable cost, so as a work-around I was planning on using apple, maybe some hickory, and to get some pimento smoke I was thinking I could buy some whole dried allspice berries (which are from the pimento tree), and put them in a foil pouch with some holes punched in the top.

    Anyone tried something like this? I feel like if I just toss them on the charcoal they'll burn up too fast.


    You're kidding right? Is this McNuttly?

    Steve 

    Caledon, ON

     

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  • Darby_Crenshaw
    Darby_Crenshaw Posts: 2,657
    Little Steven said:
    Simcan said:

    I am making a jerk ham for Christmas (bone-in, shank-end, Frenched) and was hoping to use pimento wood for smoking.  Unfortunately I can't get any at a reasonable cost, so as a work-around I was planning on using apple, maybe some hickory, and to get some pimento smoke I was thinking I could buy some whole dried allspice berries (which are from the pimento tree), and put them in a foil pouch with some holes punched in the top.

    Anyone tried something like this? I feel like if I just toss them on the charcoal they'll burn up too fast.


    You're kidding right? Is this McNuttly?

    I can remember when this was a much more friendlier place
    [social media disclaimer: irony and sarcasm may be used in some or all of user's posts; emoticon usage is intended to indicate moderately jocular social interaction; the comments toward users, their usernames, and the real people (living or dead) that they refer to are not intended to be adversarial in nature; those replying to this user are entering into a tacit agreement that they are real-life or social-media acquaintances and/or have agreed to or tacitly agreed to perpetrate occasional good-natured ribbing between and among themselves and others]

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  • Little Steven
    Little Steven Posts: 28,817
    Darby_Crenshaw said:
    Little Steven said:
    Simcan said:

    I am making a jerk ham for Christmas (bone-in, shank-end, Frenched) and was hoping to use pimento wood for smoking.  Unfortunately I can't get any at a reasonable cost, so as a work-around I was planning on using apple, maybe some hickory, and to get some pimento smoke I was thinking I could buy some whole dried allspice berries (which are from the pimento tree), and put them in a foil pouch with some holes punched in the top.

    Anyone tried something like this? I feel like if I just toss them on the charcoal they'll burn up too fast.


    You're kidding right? Is this McNuttly?

    I can remember when this was a much more friendlier place

    From you, that's pretty funny.

    Steve 

    Caledon, ON

     

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  • Darby_Crenshaw
    Darby_Crenshaw Posts: 2,657
    You must be a South Pole elf
    [social media disclaimer: irony and sarcasm may be used in some or all of user's posts; emoticon usage is intended to indicate moderately jocular social interaction; the comments toward users, their usernames, and the real people (living or dead) that they refer to are not intended to be adversarial in nature; those replying to this user are entering into a tacit agreement that they are real-life or social-media acquaintances and/or have agreed to or tacitly agreed to perpetrate occasional good-natured ribbing between and among themselves and others]

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  • Simcan
    Simcan Posts: 287
    Little Steven said:
    Simcan said:

    I am making a jerk ham for Christmas (bone-in, shank-end, Frenched) and was hoping to use pimento wood for smoking.  Unfortunately I can't get any at a reasonable cost, so as a work-around I was planning on using apple, maybe some hickory, and to get some pimento smoke I was thinking I could buy some whole dried allspice berries (which are from the pimento tree), and put them in a foil pouch with some holes punched in the top.

    Anyone tried something like this? I feel like if I just toss them on the charcoal they'll burn up too fast.


    You're kidding right? Is this McNuttly?

    I don't understand.  Kidding about what and who is McNuttly?
    Toronto ON
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  • Little Steven
    Little Steven Posts: 28,817
    edited December 2015

    I'm sorry. No offence intended. I guess I thought you were joking because I can get pimento relatively cheaply the sheer volume of allspice berries you would need to match the smoke output of a few pieces of lump would be astronomical. McNuttly is an old forum ne'er do well that has a myriad of identities under which he posts content intending to upset well- meaning members of the forum.

    Oh and are you in Canada?

    Steve 

    Caledon, ON

     

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  • Simcan
    Simcan Posts: 287
    edited December 2015

    I see, no offense taken, just did not understand what you thought I was kidding about.  Or aboot, since I am indeed in Canada. Toronto. 

    I see you are in Caledon. Where do you get pimento wood from relatively cheaply? The only source I found is Ontario Gas but they are out and only get one shipment a year.  The place that sells online charges a ludicrous amount to ship. I am not adding $100+ bucks for one cook's wood.

    Anyway, I think the combination of allspice berries and fresh bay leaves would give some authenticity and it is not uncommon as a technique (see, e.g., http://www.seriouseats.com/2013/08/the-food-lab-how-to-make-jerk-chicken-at-home.html)

    Toronto ON
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