Finally Smokin’!

  Posted on October 29, 2009

I’m learning a lot of BBQ vocabulary as I build my new smoker.  I am a firm believer in “fake it til you make it”.  So the other day when a BBQ aficionado asked “you seasoned that new smoker of yours, right”, I said “of course!” and then quickly pulled out my phone and jumped on Google to figure out what that meant.  As far as I can tell, “seasoning” a smoker just involves smoking something to burn off any residue from manufacturing and to coat the inside with smoke.  Well, considering the 3 alarm fire I had going in that thing a week ago, I don’t think I need to worry about residue of any kind.  I do though need to generate some smoke, so sounds like a good excuse to cook something!

Since I wasn’t quite sure how it would turn out, I didn’t want to spend a lot of money.  Walmart actually had packages of what they call “chicken parts” for pretty cheap.  Sounded so appetizing, I got two.  I was pleasantly surprised that each package contained 2 breasts and 2 thighs, along with chicken backs.  Yes, I said BACKS, the actual back of the chicken, spine and all.  I think I can live without those, so I tossed them.  I placed the other good pieces of chicken on the grill and an hour and a half later at about 300 degrees, I had some delicious chicken.  Once the smoker was going, I didn’t have to do a thing to maintain temperature, it was really easy.  The chicken really did turn out awesome, maybe even more so because I built this thing!  I’m pretty happy with this project so far, on to some pork and a lot longer smoking times…