May 15, 2012

Where there's smoke, there's barbecue"...

Yep, it's that time of year again. The air is cool in the morning and warm in the afternoon. It's sort of like we're getting "seasoned" for the season.

This time of year always finds me outside during the early morning before work and after work right up until the frogs start croaking and the mosquitoes start eating. These days are so rare that I try and enjoy each and every second that I can.

I am a fifth-generation Texan, so being in front of a smoker or grill is second nature for me. Right now I own a round, "budget minded" Weber smoker/grill. It does wonders on the meats that I put in there and it's become seasoned well over the past six years that I've used it. And let me tell you, I've used it a lot. Just this past weekend I put 4 whole chickens in it and slow-smoked them for seven hours over 185 degree heat. And yes, they were delectable.

But in the last year or so, I've had the hankerin' to make a SMOKER. You know the one. Big, bulky and able to hold a side of beef or a half dozen pork shoulders if need be. So I started looking for an old 1950's or 1960's type refrigerator to make a new smoker. Why an old appliance you ask? Well, when I was growing up in Small Town, Texas, USA, my step-dad had a smoker made out of an old Admiral refrigerator. And let me tell you, he made some of the best smoked meats I have ever tasted. So I'm trying to duplicate the art and style that he had way back when.

Once it's done, it will hold 6 - 8 briskets, depending on the size. I'll be able to put a chicken coop full of about 24 medium fryer chickens in there too. I'm giddy like a kid with a new video game about this project. I've included a couple of pics of what I'm going to use to make my smoker below. It's a late 1960's or early 1970's Frigidaire freezer that went out about three years ago that was sitting out on the back porch.

I'll keep you updated on the progress of the new "toy" as I work on it. When I get it finished and I start pulling the briskets, shoulders, chickens and turkeys out, drop on by for a bite. We'd love to have you.

The Impulsive Texan

"I may not get much done, but I sure am slow"...





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