Smoke questions

Trailblazer1229 · July 2008

I have heard alot of people stating that when using smoking chips to wait before the smoke dissapates before placing the meat on the egg. I understand that and it makes sense. The first cook I made was T-bone with Jack Daniel's whiskey chips and I don't think I waited for the smoke to clear. They had a very smoky flavor. I guess I am confused as to what happens after the smoke lifts. Do they still continue to burn without smoke, thus infusing the flavor into the meat? Any opinoins on this?

'Q Bruddah · July 2008

Heavy smoke is an indicator of incomplete combustion. As the wood chip heats and chars it is burned with more incomplete combustion. Once charred and up to temp it continues to burn more efficiently and cleaner but still imparts good flavor while the carbon chunk is consumed.

fishlessman · July 2008

for quicker cooks its more important for the smoke to clear, its still there, you just dont really see it. on long cooks like a pork butt it just doesnt matter, i throw the chunks in then the meat. i dont usually use smokeing woods with steak and go fairly light with chicken and turkey and for those cooks i like the smoke to look clean

FearlessGrill · July 2008

A lot of sources say that the initial heavy smoke lends a bitter flavor to the meat. By waiting for the heavy smoke to clear, you are supposed to get the smoke flavor without the bitterness.

I personally haven't found it to make a whole heck of a lot of difference, but I'm doing it this way now, since it seems to be the 'right' technique.

-John

ChefDave · July 2008

Your link does not work......

Mahi-Mahi · July 2008

I thought it was you should make sure your charcoal is not smoking too much. You let the fire get settled. Than you are suppose to add chips that are soaked and this smoke I assume is OK. I add the chips around the edge of the lighted middle for long and slow cooks.
I thought the same thoughts? Are my chips gone if they are not smoking?
So I get my charcoal settled and than add the chips and put the meat on.
But it is a very good question.

spbull472 · July 2008

When using chunks, I wait until the smoke turns almost a wispy blue and then I throw my meat on. That seems to work best for me, I used to throw on when it was churning out tons of grey smoke but I didn't like the taste as much.

Michael B · July 2008

Smell the smoke.
If it is thick and white or yellow, I bet it isn't an appetizing aroma. Want your food to taste like that? Even a little bit?
After the smoke changes to a pale blue, smell the smoke again.

Don’t soak the wood.

spbull472 · July 2008

Michael B wrote:

Smell the smoke.
If it is thick and white or yellow, I bet it isn't an appetizing aroma. Want your food to taste like that? Even a little bit?
After the smoke changes to a pale blue, smell the smoke again.

Don’t soak the wood.

What he said and you'll also learn that with chunks, less is more.

TorontoBrad · July 2008

Just curious - the bags of woodchips I have all say to soak the chips for 30 mins... Is it best NOT to soak when using the Egg?

spbull472 · July 2008

Not sure about chips, but it's typically recommended not to soak the chunks.

thirdeye · July 2008

"smell the smoke" & "less is more better"...

I'd have to agree with both of you.

Smoke questions

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