I'm by no means the first to ever do this...

[Drum Thumper]

but this afternoon, I finally got around to building a trash can smoker (http://cruftbox.com/cruft/docs/elecsmoker.html).

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/drumthumper5150/Smoker001.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/drumthumper5150/Smoker002.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/drumthumper5150/Smoker003.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/drumthumper5150/Smoker004.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/drumthumper5150/Smoker005.jpg

Now, before anyone asks, no, I am not worried about zinc poisoning, or any other possibly heavy metals contaminating my food. The food will be getting smoked at ~230 F, well below the temp that zinc melts.

I'm firing it up tomorrow for its' maiden voyage of baby back pork ribs and tri tip steak.

[Zephik]

Awesome. I LOVE smoked meats! What kind of wood chips are you planning on using? I like using Hickory the most, probably the best for ribs too I would imagine. Oak is also supposed to be pretty good.

I remember having Smoked Turkey last summer, but I can't remember if the guy used Apple or Cherry wood chips. It was DELICIOUS though. Had maybe a good seven hours of smoking. Gah, it was like CANDY. Yum.

+rep for the trash can smoker link! I gotta make me one of these bad boys!

[Drum Thumper]

Awesome. I LOVE smoked meats! What kind of wood chips are you planning on using? I like using Hickory the most, probably the best for ribs too I would imagine. Oak is also supposed to be pretty good.

I remember having Smoked Turkey last summer, but I can't remember if the guy used Apple or Cherry wood chips. It was DELICIOUS though. Had maybe a good seven hours of smoking. Gah, it was like CANDY. Yum.

+rep for the trash can smoker link! I gotta make me one of these bad boys!

I use a blend of Cherry and Mesquite. Sometimes hickory as well, depends on what is in stock.

+rep right back at ya!

Edit: here's one of my rubs:



1 tbsp chili powder
1 tbsp onion flakes (powder would be better, but I don't have any at the moment)
1 tbsp garlic powder
1 tbsp black pepper
1/2 tbsp salt (used sea salt)
1/2 tbsp sugar


I just came up with this, and am planning on dialing it in to perfection over the summer. I am forseeing this trash can getting thoroughly abused over the next few months...

[Zephik]

Do you like sweet rubs? You could try adding some brown sugar into the mix. Just make sure it doesn't get too hot or it will caramelize. Probably won't have a problem with that though since you're smoking the ribs. You could also try adding basil, dry mustard and cayenne. Combined with the brown sugar, it should give you a "hot and sweet" rub. :up:

**Just noticed that one of your ingredients was SUGAR. lol I'm blind as a bat sometimes. Well, you could always try brown sugar too and decide which you like better.

You know... we don't live too far apart... you don't happen to leave your smoker outside do you? ;):D

oh yea, great idea with the cherry and mesquite! I can't believe I've never thought about combining different kinds of woods. *smacks forehead* Definitely going to try some combinations this summer.

[Drum Thumper]

One thing I've come to realize: The POS hotplate isn't quite enough. Thankfully, this thing is big enough to handle a small tailgating style charcoal bbq.

But if I'm going to go that route, I'll just use my charcoal smoker, which can be seen in the first pic. I might even try using the hotplate in that just to see what happens.

And I ran out of cherry wood, so I am using a mix of mesquite and apple now. I might try some chokecherry wood sometime soon as well, I've read that it imparts a bitter taste though. I'm thinking a sparingly small amount will work just fine.

[SgtM]

Now we're talkin! I'm breaking out the grill next weekend. I didn't do it this weekend because of work. Friday and Saturday would have been awesome to cook out and have a fire in the back yard. I LOVE THIS TIME OF YEAR!

[Zephik]

We need a TBCS Community BBQ!

Snatch up a bunch of webcams, tell some funny stories, "share" our bbq secrets and techniques and what we're cookin', play some online games, etc etc.

Probably more trouble than its worth, but its a nice idea anyways.

Just cooked up some bbq burgers on the "grill" by the way. By grill, I actually mean a portable electric frying pan. But hey, its the thought that counts. lol

I used some Longhorn BBQ Sauce which I got out of Spokane, Washington. I think this is their website (http://www.thelonghornbbq.com/default.htm). Pretty good stuff.

[Drum Thumper]

BBQ sauce? I usually make my own. Much better than anything store bought, even the "Made in Montana (http://www.missionhillgourmet.com/page/page/3929271.htm)" stuff.

Those recipes, however, are not written down--a bit of this, a touch of that, see if it tastes good. Repeat as necessary.

[Bopher]

BBQ sauce? I usually make my own. Much better than anything store bought, even the "Made in Montana (http://www.missionhillgourmet.com/page/page/3929271.htm)" stuff.

Those recipes, however, are not written down--a bit of this, a touch of that, see if it tastes good. Repeat as necessary.

Thats how 1/2 of my marinades are kept. Little here, little there, oo this sounds good, wonder what that will add? I love cooking like that. Drove my Home Ec teacher bonkers in Jr High.

[Zephik]

Thats how 1/2 of my marinades are kept. Little here, little there, oo this sounds good, wonder what that will add? I love cooking like that. Drove my Home Ec teacher bonkers in Jr High.

Thats almost kind of sad. You would think that doing stuff like that would be encouraged? If we never experimented with anything, our food would be completely bland and boring.

[XcOM]

i never get to do BBQ's much, but im gonna try and do one soon if the nice weather keeps up

[Drum Thumper]

Thats almost kind of sad. You would think that doing stuff like that would be encouraged? If we never experimented with anything, our food would be completely bland and boring.

So would our computers!

[Liquid_Scope_99]

very cool man that would go great around here .

[billygoat333]

haha thats awesome. I love to cook and to bbq. I think a real live TBCS bbq would be fun. have a convention/lan party/bbq thing! haha.

[Drum Thumper]

So, for the time being, I've given up on the trash can route. Nothing beats fire when it comes to BBQ in my book. Pics coming soon.

[Drum Thumper]

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/drumthumper5150/IMG_0044-3.jpg

Fire!

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/drumthumper5150/IMG_0045-3.jpg

Spareribs!

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/drumthumper5150/IMG_0046-3.jpg

More Spareribs!

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/drumthumper5150/IMG_0047-3.jpg

And in 4.5 hours, I should have some super tender spareribs for dinner.

[Zephik]

I hate you.

[Omega]

Thats almost kind of sad. You would think that doing stuff like that would be encouraged? If we never experimented with anything, our food would be completely bland and boring.

seriously.

I have no recipes at all -- i just kind of make stuff up as I go along. If it ends up tasting bad, I'll just toss it and make myself some ramen. haha

[Short Modder]

For those that are interested in meat smoking there is a forum dedicated to smoking foods. Smoking Meat Forums (http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/forums/index.php) They've got some pretty good recipes that I have yet to try. Good luck with your smoker!!!

[Zephik]

I am freaking dying for some smoked turkey right now. Dear lord almighty that is some good stuff when done perfectly right.

Question: Why does smoking things make them taste soooo good? Its so weird when you think about it. Smoke = bad, bland meat = mediocre. But Smoked Meat = Mouth watering goodness!

Hmmm. I think I'm going to try and smoke a bunch of random stuff. Smoked candy bar anyone? :p

[Crazy Buddhist]

Hmmm. I think I'm going to try and smoke a bunch of random stuff. Smoked candy bar anyone? :p

I'd like to see you pull that off without melting it !

CB

[Zephik]

I'd like to see you pull that off without melting it !

CB

Leave it in the wrapper and then let it cool. HA! lol the wrapper would probably burn but hey, it MIGHT work. :p

[billygoat333]

you can deep fry candy bars, so why not smoke them? lol

[Drum Thumper]

you can deep fry candy bars, so why not smoke them? lol

When you deep fry, they're covered in a coating of some sort. Same principle as fried mozzarella sticks. The coating holds them together.

Deep fried pickles ftw in my book. Twinkies are good deep fried too. Heart attack on a stick!

[billygoat333]

mmm deep fried twinkies are awesome I agree.

and deep fried pickles? definitely. mmm. I love deep fried pickles.

and yeah, you would have to coat them in something before you smoked them. SO I guess it really wouldnt be a smoked candy bar. besides, I highly doubt they would taste good. lol but I guess you would never know until ya tried it right?