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Poultry and pork turning out like this

Powak
Powak Posts: 1,391
edited July 2021 in EggHead Forum
 What’s the deal when my poultry or pork is looking like this when grilling at 400-450 raised direct? Is it not enough fire on top of the coals? Was the meat too cold outta the fridge?  Should I be cooking closer to the coals? That’s after the first turn of at least 7’minutes or so. When the meat reaches finish temp it’s just cooked at best. No good caramelization or crust.  

Comments

  • fishlessman
    fishlessman Posts: 32,665
    Powak said:
     What’s the deal when my poultry or pork is looking like this when grilling at 400-450 raised direct? Is it not enough fire on top of the coals? Was the meat too cold outta the fridge?  Should I be cooking closer to the coals? That’s after the first turn of at least 7’minutes or so. When the meat reaches finish temp it’s just cooked at best. No good caramelization or crust.  

    thats odd, the fire isnt spreading out. ill assume you checked the dome gage for calibration.  whens the last time you removed the firebox and cleaned behind it. reason im asking is that the hinge side of the egg is usually hottest and those in the back are the least cooked, the firebox holes in back may be clogged behind the box, the back lump isnt really looking well lit
    fukahwee maine

    you can lead a fish to water but you can not make him drink it
  • Powak
    Powak Posts: 1,391
    New base, just changed it out 3 cooks ago. Coal was piled high up to the top of the fire ring. PSWOO2 in. Started fire with my torch. Seemed to be burning down below the top layer of coal. 
  • nolaegghead
    nolaegghead Posts: 42,102
    Close the bottom vent, open the lid and let the fire spread all over the top of the coals.  (light the top, not the bottom)

    A trick to getting white meats to look prettier is to marinate in something with caramel color (liquid Aminos, or Dales, etc) and/or a bit of sugar on the surface, which turns brown at a much lower temp than protein.
    ______________________________________________
    I love lamp..
  • fishlessman
    fishlessman Posts: 32,665
    edited July 2021
    did you light in several places front back left right and let the fire spread out, something just doesnt look right with the lump. ive only experienced a white cook like that once, someone mentioned they lit from the bottom. never again. a white 16 hour pork butt , so disappointing
    fukahwee maine

    you can lead a fish to water but you can not make him drink it
  • Mattman3969
    Mattman3969 Posts: 10,457
    Chicken wet when you put it on?

    -----------------------------------------

    analyze adapt overcome

    2008 -Large BGE. 2013- Small BGE and 2015 - Mini. Henderson, Ky.
  • Powak
    Powak Posts: 1,391
    Chicken wet when you put it on?
    Yes. Marinated em in Newman’s own parmesan garlic dressing and threw right on the grill.
  • Mattman3969
    Mattman3969 Posts: 10,457
    I have a hard time getting wet chicken to brown up too.  I’m guessing it had to dry the moisture before the browning will begin.  

    -----------------------------------------

    analyze adapt overcome

    2008 -Large BGE. 2013- Small BGE and 2015 - Mini. Henderson, Ky.
  • Powak
    Powak Posts: 1,391
    Bout to have the same issue here today. I’m going to try that close the bottom vent trick again.
    been running for an hour and most of the top coals are still black. Fire’s down below and I even lit with the electric hoop lighter.


  • nolaegghead
    nolaegghead Posts: 42,102
    I have a hard time getting wet chicken to brown up too.  I’m guessing it had to dry the moisture before the browning will begin.  
    True, at standard pressure.  The maillard reaction occurs between 280-330F, above the boiling point of water (aka "moisture").  Jack up the pressure by BBQing on a planet with much greater mass/denser atmostphere or somehow increase the pressure in other ways, and you can literally get the maillard reaction to occur with moisture on the surface.   Theoretically. How is this info helpful?  It probably isn't.

    Phase Diagram for Water  Chemistry for Non-Majors


    ______________________________________________
    I love lamp..
  • Powak
    Powak Posts: 1,391
    I have a hard time getting wet chicken to brown up too.  I’m guessing it had to dry the moisture before the browning will begin.  
    True, at standard pressure.  The maillard reaction occurs between 280-330F, above the boiling point of water (aka "moisture").  Jack up the pressure by BBQing on a planet with much greater mass/denser atmostphere or somehow increase the pressure in other ways, and you can literally get the maillard reaction to occur with moisture on the surface.   Theoretically. How is this info helpful?  It probably isn't.

    Phase Diagram for Water  Chemistry for Non-Majors


    Dang! Maybe it’s bbq’n in New England. We got just the right humidity to turn the egg into a steamer.
  • Mattman3969
    Mattman3969 Posts: 10,457
    I have a hard time getting wet chicken to brown up too.  I’m guessing it had to dry the moisture before the browning will begin.  
    True, at standard pressure.  The maillard reaction occurs between 280-330F, above the boiling point of water (aka "moisture").  Jack up the pressure by BBQing on a planet with much greater mass/denser atmostphere or somehow increase the pressure in other ways, and you can literally get the maillard reaction to occur with moisture on the surface.   Theoretically. How is this info helpful?  It probably isn't.

    Phase Diagram for Water  Chemistry for Non-Majors


    I think the real reason for pale chicken n chops is because it’s Shark Week

    -----------------------------------------

    analyze adapt overcome

    2008 -Large BGE. 2013- Small BGE and 2015 - Mini. Henderson, Ky.
  • nolaegghead
    nolaegghead Posts: 42,102
    I have a hard time getting wet chicken to brown up too.  I’m guessing it had to dry the moisture before the browning will begin.  
    True, at standard pressure.  The maillard reaction occurs between 280-330F, above the boiling point of water (aka "moisture").  Jack up the pressure by BBQing on a planet with much greater mass/denser atmostphere or somehow increase the pressure in other ways, and you can literally get the maillard reaction to occur with moisture on the surface.   Theoretically. How is this info helpful?  It probably isn't.

    Phase Diagram for Water  Chemistry for Non-Majors


    I think the real reason for pale chicken n chops is because it’s Shark Week
    True, pay close attention to all your Seals.

    Seal Gets Attacked in Hilarious Shark Week Promo Watch


    ______________________________________________
    I love lamp..
  • Powak
    Powak Posts: 1,391
    Feels like a Bob seger song tonight, Fire Down Below 
  • 4TheGrillOfIt
    4TheGrillOfIt Posts: 741
    edited July 2021
    I would add that taking a little extra time to arrange the top of the coal bed can help.  If you have giant chunks next to little chunks the smaller ones will be burning hotter and burning up before the larger chunks can ash over.  I usually throw larger chunks to the perimeter of the Egg or save them for indirect cooks.  

    Your photo above illustrates this pretty well.  
    XL BGE, Large BGE, Small BGE, Weber Summit NG                                                                                               
    Memphis  
  • nolaegghead
    nolaegghead Posts: 42,102
    I would add that taking a little extra time to arrange the top of the coal bed can help.  If you have giant chunks next to little chunks the smaller ones will be burning hotter and burning up before the larger chunks can ash over.  I usually throw larger chunks to the perimeter of the Egg or save them for indirect cooks.  

    Your photo above illustrates this pretty well.  
    Whaaaa???  If this is true, I just learned something.

    ______________________________________________
    I love lamp..
  • Powak
    Powak Posts: 1,391
    Last few direct cooks I’ve done I’ve had this issue. Wonder if it does have something to do with Ash Can I threw in there. Maybe that concentrates the air intake directly to the bottom of the coal basket vs the holes in the fire box...

    @4TheGrillOfIt definitely good advice on the coal sizes though. It’s also been behaving this way with all small coals in there though so I think there’s something else goin on too.
  • I would add that taking a little extra time to arrange the top of the coal bed can help.  If you have giant chunks next to little chunks the smaller ones will be burning hotter and burning up before the larger chunks can ash over.  I usually throw larger chunks to the perimeter of the Egg or save them for indirect cooks.  

    Your photo above illustrates this pretty well.  
    Whaaaa???  If this is true, I just learned something.

    It must be true.  You just read it.

    XL BGE, Large BGE, Small BGE, Weber Summit NG                                                                                               
    Memphis  
  • YukonRon
    YukonRon Posts: 16,984
    I usually try a griddle or skillet. I get it going super freaking hot and toss them on it about 10°F below desired IT, flip them a couple times to get the look and flavor/texture we like.

    Then serve.

    Typically I am unaware of that problem, even indirect we we get good color and texture on pork and chicken. Might be the rubs I use or the brining/marinades we use too?
    "Knowledge is Good" - Emil Faber

    XL and MM
    Louisville, Kentucky
  • nolaegghead
    nolaegghead Posts: 42,102
    Browning from the maillard reaction is accelerated in an alkaline environment and the reverse in acidic.  A vinegar marinade will inhibit browning.  Sugars and proteins are more alkaline and will improve it.
    ______________________________________________
    I love lamp..
  • Powak
    Powak Posts: 1,391
    Browning from the maillard reaction is accelerated in an alkaline environment and the reverse in acidic.  A vinegar marinade will inhibit browning.  Sugars and proteins are more alkaline and will improve it.
    DAYUM that’s definitely it! Explains why’s every-time I’ve use vinegar based salad dressings I’ve gotten that rubbery white looking meat. 
  • Mattman3969
    Mattman3969 Posts: 10,457
    Browning from the maillard reaction is accelerated in an alkaline environment and the reverse in acidic.  A vinegar marinade will inhibit browning.  Sugars and proteins are more alkaline and will improve it.
    Thank you for that brain tid bit.  I will now store it in my Mind Palace 

    -----------------------------------------

    analyze adapt overcome

    2008 -Large BGE. 2013- Small BGE and 2015 - Mini. Henderson, Ky.
  • Slkegger
    Slkegger Posts: 40
    If I lit the xl with the lump piled half way up the fire ring and did 450 direct I would only have a fire in one spot at the back after 5 min dome closed. I only use about 3-4 inches thick of lump evenly spread. This doesn't give a long cook but even heat on the grill and hotter glowing coals. Also I find if there is too much lump, at Temps below 450f the fat drippings put the top coals out and then the fat doesn't fully burn but smolders and gives bab smell to food.
  • Powak
    Powak Posts: 1,391
    Slkegger said:
    If I lit the xl with the lump piled half way up the fire ring and did 450 direct I would only have a fire in one spot at the back after 5 min dome closed. I only use about 3-4 inches thick of lump evenly spread. This doesn't give a long cook but even heat on the grill and hotter glowing coals. Also I find if there is too much lump, at Temps below 450f the fat drippings put the top coals out and then the fat doesn't fully burn but smolders and gives bab smell to food.
    I gotta try this. Maybe I’ll switch back to RW too after I get down thru the 70lbs or so of RO I got left. Seems to me I always got a good bed of hot coals with RW.
  • fishlessman
    fishlessman Posts: 32,665
    thin chops went in presalted and frozen

    httpsusv-cdnnet5017260uploadsFileUpload4020b3e003efadf2454afcaa5efed7cbjpg

    fukahwee maine

    you can lead a fish to water but you can not make him drink it