Uncle Bob
Chef Extraordinaire
Pacanis said:Uncle Bob, does this mean that once the desired temp is reached, you are done?
No it means the meat is done…It’s time to eat….Time to enjoy the fruits of your labor! A clock or wrist watch can’t tell you that…Only a thermometer can. If you aren’t quite ready to eat…then wrap the meat in foil until you are!
Pacanis said:Is it possible to smoke the meat too much?
Absolutely! There is more meat ruined each year from over-smoking (to much smoke) than one can imagine. The Demons of Disinformation have led us to believe that meat flung into the gasses of burning woods, blackened by it phenolic (phenol) resins, and “Flame Broiled” (Burger King?) is good!! They even created a new buzz word, an erroneous synonym for BBQ, and called it “Smoking” Our palates, being dulled by fast food, TV dinners, packaged concoctions, and being ever eager to try new things rushed to join the frenzy believing in all of our innocence that Burnt Is Beautiful! Today, thankfully, even those of us with the dullest palates, and most naïve minds have begun to question. (Dare we question the high Priest and Priestess of PR, of Television, and magazines???) We ask… “What am I doing wrong?? Meat is not supposed to taste bitter!! Gradually the truth has become obvious…Over-smoked meat does not taste good!!
Pacanis said:I am probably confusing using a slow cooker with smoking, in thinking that low and slow gives you lots of leeway as far as time is concerned....
The low & slow methods of BBQ give you lots of time to do other (more important?) things… relax, watch the clouds float by, visit with friends and family, toss a Frisbee with the kids, take a nap in the hammock, lay in the grass and look for a four-leaf clover…sip your favorite beverage….then at your leisure you may enjoy the pure savory succulence that is BBQ.
Pacanis said:I don't know....I am assuming that the meat can't get a higher temp than what the smoker registers... but will it dry out if left on too long, even with a water pan?
Yes it will/can dry out…even with water in the cooker.