Electrical Smokers and Sawdust

Phat Matt's BBQ · 07-07-2011, 05:44 PM

I've got a question for all of you. Is using an electrical smoker and sawdust that gives no smoke flavor or ring barbeque?

landarc · 07-07-2011, 06:32 PM

I don't see why you wouldn't get a smoke ring or smoke flavor if you use an electric smoker and enough sawdust to get the smoke while the meat is cooking.

MG_NorCal · 07-07-2011, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phat Matt's BBQ

I've got a question for all of you. Is using an electrical smoker and sawdust that gives no smoke flavor or ring barbeque?

Just to clarify, is this your question?

Should the process be called barbecue when you (a) cook in an electrical smoker that uses sawdust, and (b) the product lacks both a smoke ring and smoke flavor.

Phat Matt's BBQ · 07-07-2011, 06:52 PM

Yes, that is my question.

Phat Matt's BBQ · 07-07-2011, 06:54 PM

I just had a heated discussion with another bbq joint owner who using this technique and the bbq reminds me of oven baked meat with bbq sauce.....

landarc · 07-07-2011, 06:54 PM

Oh, that is the question. Ignore my answer then.

bbqbull · 07-07-2011, 06:55 PM

Ok, I own 3 electric smokers, 2 of which are Cookshack brand.
I use a chuck of split fruitwood about the size of a golf ball and the food turns out extreemly good.

What type of electric smoker do you have?

deguerre · 07-07-2011, 07:02 PM

I have a cameron stove top smoker that I use on my electric stove. It does produce smoked meats/fish/veggies at what I would consider high heat smokes but no discernable smoke rings though.

Phat Matt's BBQ · 07-07-2011, 07:05 PM

I don't own an electrical smoker, I have 2 J&R Oylers and a custom Dave Klose.

Phat Matt's BBQ · 07-07-2011, 07:06 PM

I am referring to a bbq restaurant using this technique.

el_matt · 07-07-2011, 07:10 PM

If it doesn't have some smoke flavor, it's not BBQ, regardless of the heat source.

Matt

NorthwestBBQ · 07-07-2011, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phat Matt's BBQ

I don't own an electrical smoker, I have 2 J&R Oylers and a custom Dave Klose.

You cannot get the same quality BBQ from an electric smoker burning sawdust that you can get from your high dollar pits.

OakPit · 07-07-2011, 07:30 PM

It could be "argued" that it is BBQ - not much different than a Pellet BBQ using compressed sawdust to form a pellet and electricity to drive the pellets into a fire pot.
HOWEVER the huge difference is that the pellets combust to create the heat source - not an electrical element.

So my vote is NO it is not authentic BBQ because the heat source is electrical - not because of the sawdust.

As always, just my .02

Phat Matt's BBQ · 07-07-2011, 07:36 PM

Thank you Tim. That's what I told him.

MG_NorCal · 07-07-2011, 07:48 PM

The restaurant is just doing a slightly modified oven baking IMHO, not BBQ.

There was a big thread on "what is Real BBQ" here:
http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/sh...d.php?t=106255

07-07-2011, 05:44 PM	#1
Phat Matt's BBQ Got Wood. Join Date: 02-24-10 Location: Oakland, CA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Electrical Smokers and Sawdust I've got a question for all of you. Is using an electrical smoker and sawdust that gives no smoke flavor or ring barbeque? __________________ Committed to producing high quality BBQ with lots of love! www.phatmattsbbq.com Last edited by Phat Matt's BBQ; 07-07-2011 at 05:46 PM.. Reason: mis-spelled word.

07-07-2011, 06:32 PM	#2
landarc somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 06-26-09 Location: San Leandro, CA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I don't see why you wouldn't get a smoke ring or smoke flavor if you use an electric smoker and enough sawdust to get the smoke while the meat is cooking. __________________ "perhaps...but then again...maybe not..." careful there son, those ribs are boiling hot... \_\|_/ (='.'=) Here there be bunnies... (")_(")ooo Pacific Rim BBQ Bob's Brew and Que

07-07-2011, 06:52 PM	#4
Phat Matt's BBQ Got Wood. Join Date: 02-24-10 Location: Oakland, CA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Yes, that is my question. __________________ Committed to producing high quality BBQ with lots of love! www.phatmattsbbq.com

07-07-2011, 06:54 PM	#5
Phat Matt's BBQ Got Wood. Join Date: 02-24-10 Location: Oakland, CA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I just had a heated discussion with another bbq joint owner who using this technique and the bbq reminds me of oven baked meat with bbq sauce..... __________________ Committed to producing high quality BBQ with lots of love! www.phatmattsbbq.com

07-07-2011, 06:54 PM	#6
landarc somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 06-26-09 Location: San Leandro, CA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Oh, that is the question. Ignore my answer then. __________________ "perhaps...but then again...maybe not..." careful there son, those ribs are boiling hot... \_\|_/ (='.'=) Here there be bunnies... (")_(")ooo Pacific Rim BBQ Bob's Brew and Que

07-07-2011, 06:55 PM	#7
bbqbull Moderator Join Date: 12-27-05 Location: Mid Michigan Downloads: 1 Uploads: 0	Ok, I own 3 electric smokers, 2 of which are Cookshack brand. I use a chuck of split fruitwood about the size of a golf ball and the food turns out extreemly good. What type of electric smoker do you have? __________________ You have never really lived until you have done something for someone who can never repay you. KC I miss your advice. Heavily medicated for your protection. Klose Mobile Pit Klose Owners Reccomended Pit Cookshack Smokette Gasser Little Chief Smoker Large BGE Gifted to me my Pit Barrel Smoker

07-07-2011, 07:02 PM	#8
deguerre somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 07-15-09 Location: Memphis, TN...Formerly of Decatur, AL Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I have a cameron stove top smoker that I use on my electric stove. It does produce smoked meats/fish/veggies at what I would consider high heat smokes but no discernable smoke rings though. __________________ Guerry >^..^< Weber 22 1/2" OTS "Dirty Girl", Weber Performer/Cajun Bandit "Cajun Queen", GOSM "Bubba Q", Maverick et73, RED Thermapen, One Cameron Stove Top "Lazy Girl".It burns sawdust... Avatar by Northwest BBQ!!! If you really care about this place, you'll show some respect for it. Seven Zero notches on my spatula. Join_Us_In_The_Throwdowns_Forum!

07-07-2011, 07:05 PM	#9
Phat Matt's BBQ Got Wood. Join Date: 02-24-10 Location: Oakland, CA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I don't own an electrical smoker, I have 2 J&R Oylers and a custom Dave Klose. __________________ Committed to producing high quality BBQ with lots of love! www.phatmattsbbq.com

07-07-2011, 07:06 PM	#10
Phat Matt's BBQ Got Wood. Join Date: 02-24-10 Location: Oakland, CA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I am referring to a bbq restaurant using this technique. __________________ Committed to producing high quality BBQ with lots of love! www.phatmattsbbq.com

07-07-2011, 07:10 PM	#11
el_matt is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 12-08-09 Location: Turlock, California Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	If it doesn't have some smoke flavor, it's not BBQ, regardless of the heat source. Matt

07-07-2011, 07:30 PM	#13
OakPit is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 03-17-09 Location: Livermore, CA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	It could be "argued" that it is BBQ - not much different than a Pellet BBQ using compressed sawdust to form a pellet and electricity to drive the pellets into a fire pot. HOWEVER the huge difference is that the pellets combust to create the heat source - not an electrical element. So my vote is NO it is not authentic BBQ because the heat source is electrical - not because of the sawdust. As always, just my .02 __________________ -Tim Traditional Santa Maria Pit Mini, Small, Medium & Large BGE Weber 22" OTS & 26" OTG & 18"WSM & WGA Each wearing custom handles from Marty Leach

07-07-2011, 07:36 PM	#14
Phat Matt's BBQ Got Wood. Join Date: 02-24-10 Location: Oakland, CA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Thank you Tim. That's what I told him. __________________ Committed to producing high quality BBQ with lots of love! www.phatmattsbbq.com

07-07-2011, 07:48 PM	#15
MG_NorCal On the road to being a farker Join Date: 01-31-09 Location: Pittsburg, CA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	The restaurant is just doing a slightly modified oven baking IMHO, not BBQ. There was a big thread on "what is Real BBQ" here: http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/sh...d.php?t=106255 __________________ XL BGE, NBBD Offset, 3 Weber kettles, gas and electric cabinet smokers, and a few smoker projects waiting

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