Use Less Wood

Jackson Ortega-Scheiner Misc. Leave a Comment

Q. Dr. BBQ: I have pit problems. I don’t know what the problem is but i think it is too much wood. My ribs tasted like a camp fire but my ribs on the gas grill were good. If I can not fix my pit problems I will not be one of the best BBQers in the world and if you have ideas can …

Trimming Brisket

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Q:  Dear Dr. BBQ,   When trimming a packer-trim brisket, how much do you recommend taking off, and what do you leave? Do you ‘que the tip as part of the flat or not? When answering, please consider that I have a larger wood-burning offset and prefer not to be opening doors and mopping to keep the meat moist, at …

Guaranteed Smoke Ring?

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Q:  Dr. BBQ,   Is there a way to get more of a smoke ring in the meat you smoke, or is it just the luck of the draw?   –Heywood   Iowa   A:  Hi Heywood,   The redness that we call a “smoke ring” is a chemical reaction, and it can be manipulated. A simple trick is to …

Tastes Good But Looks Burnt

Jackson Ortega-Scheiner Smoking Leave a Comment

Dear Dr. BBQ: I use your “Big Time BBQ Cookbook” religiously. I have followed the recipe for chicken thighs and legs using indirect smoking at 235° F. to maybe 250° F with pecan wood. I use the “sweet and sticky” glaze called for in the book. When the chicken is done the skin is very, very dark–almost black. Even though …

Considering Competing?

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Q:  Dr. BBQ,   I’m retired and have been barbecuing (meaning smoking) for 40 some years.  I think that it would be fun to hit the barbecue cook-off circuit and compete.  What are the pros and cons of this?    –Kevin   Tulsa.   A:  Hi Kevin,   This is a great question to start my first column at Fiery-Foods …