Butt Bust!!!

CrackerJack from KC · 04-06-2008, 11:05 PM

Threw a Pork Butt on on the WSM last night. Went to bed, woke up this morning and fire was completely out, and the Pork Butt was cold. Appears I didn't leave the bottom vents open enough to get air to the charcoal. All the charcoal was there, but it was out. Went ahead and smoked it anyway for practice controlling temps etc, and then proceded to take the meat directly from the grill to the "ash bag"

I doubt I am the 1st person this has happened too. The funny thing is that on my last two all night smokes, I had the temperature probes working and was waking up every two hours to check what the temperature of the meat. This time, I knew there was no way the Butt would be done until the afternoon, so I didn't even bother getting the temperature probes out.

I recently discovered my WSM was out of round, and I fixed it. The ironic part of all this is that I had learned all I had to do to keep 250 all night was to leave the top vent open and to close the bottom vents. Now that my smoker doesnt leak anymore, I can't leave those vents closed.

Guess I am still learning.

watertowerbbq · 04-06-2008, 11:09 PM

chit happens!

i had a plan to cook some thighs today at a certain temperature and didn't put enough coals in the wsm to get the temp i wanted. ended up cooking it like i normally do which was ok, but not what i had in mind today. the best part is there is always a next time!

Bbq Bubba · 04-06-2008, 11:51 PM

Sorry about your luck

My understanding was that an all nite cook required you to man the smoker......ALL NITE!!

chinesebob · 04-07-2008, 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bbq Bubba

Sorry about your luck

My understanding was that an all nite cook required you to man the smoker......ALL NITE!!

Man Bubba, who sneezed in your beer?

Just when you get used to the smoker you go and fix it. It happens. At least butts are cheap.

bbqbull · 04-07-2008, 12:30 AM

Jack Im sorry that things went south on the cook.
Your not the first person thats been afflicted with some bad luck.
Nor will you be the last for sure.
When im cooking an overnite I just stay up with the radio playing and a comfy chair.
Im sure your next cook will be much better since you are learning your equipment.

Harbormaster · 04-07-2008, 10:42 AM

Chit happens.
Live and learn.
Truth be told I am pretty comfortable with my WSMs that I usually leave them unattended now. I still sleep on the couch, and let them run 6 hours or so unatteneded, mostly 'cuz I don't want the meat to overcook. Never had a fire go out though.
Better luck next time.

Jack2u2 · 04-07-2008, 10:46 AM

I use my drum, my Backwoods and my WSM. All pretty much set and forget. But, I still can't go all night w/o getting up and checking. Maybe it's ingrained in me after all these years. I know I can go to sleep reasonably sure everything will be OK, but.........

Magnum · 04-07-2008, 01:16 PM

CJ - Similar situation here with the bullet. I just got mine recently but wondered how it could sustain a fire with the vents closed? Only way was leaking. Big challange to engineer a seal that will withstand the rigors of shipping I guess. Reformed it (in several ways) and put some silicone on the very bottom edge of the middle section where it meets the ash bowl. Much better now. See how long it lasts. Good luck.

Que'inKC · 04-07-2008, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack2u2

I use my drum, my Backwoods and my WSM. All pretty much set and forget. But, I still can't go all night w/o getting up and checking. Maybe it's ingrained in me after all these years. I know I can go to sleep reasonably sure everything will be OK, but.........

I"m right there with you...i don't care how "set it and forget it" it is, still need to watch it...Just ask Todd (Plowboy) what happened to his FE over this last weekend at the PHill contest....

Of course he obviously recovered...Be'ins they one the GC...

JimT · 04-07-2008, 07:22 PM

That's why they invented "Pizza Delivery!"

JimT

04-06-2008, 11:05 PM	#1
CrackerJack from KC Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 01-15-08 Location: Overland Park, KS	Butt Bust!!! Threw a Pork Butt on on the WSM last night. Went to bed, woke up this morning and fire was completely out, and the Pork Butt was cold. Appears I didn't leave the bottom vents open enough to get air to the charcoal. All the charcoal was there, but it was out. Went ahead and smoked it anyway for practice controlling temps etc, and then proceded to take the meat directly from the grill to the "ash bag" I doubt I am the 1st person this has happened too. The funny thing is that on my last two all night smokes, I had the temperature probes working and was waking up every two hours to check what the temperature of the meat. This time, I knew there was no way the Butt would be done until the afternoon, so I didn't even bother getting the temperature probes out. I recently discovered my WSM was out of round, and I fixed it. The ironic part of all this is that I had learned all I had to do to keep 250 all night was to leave the top vent open and to close the bottom vents. Now that my smoker doesnt leak anymore, I can't leave those vents closed. Guess I am still learning. __________________ Kamado Joe (4) 18.5" WSMs Weber OTG 26.75" Traeger 070 Stoker Worlds Fastest "Green" Thermapen "Not a competition cook, just a guy who loves eating and cooking Q."

04-06-2008, 11:09 PM	#2
watertowerbbq is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 11-07-07 Location: Ankeny, IA	chit happens! i had a plan to cook some thighs today at a certain temperature and didn't put enough coals in the wsm to get the temp i wanted. ended up cooking it like i normally do which was ok, but not what i had in mind today. the best part is there is always a next time! __________________ Matt Head Cook Water Tower BBQ BWS Extended Party - 2012 BWS Competitor (sold 2012) WSM - 18.5" - 2009 (sold 2011) WSM - 18.5" - 2004 (sold 2010) Superfast Orange Thermopen KCBS CBJ, Railroad Detective

04-06-2008, 11:51 PM	#3
Bbq Bubba somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 05-03-07 Location: New Baltimore, Mi.	Sorry about your luck My understanding was that an all nite cook required you to man the smoker......ALL NITE!! __________________ Owner and Chief Taco Builder @ The Wooden Valve Beer Snob I cook the #bestbrisketnorthoftexas. Get over it. #detroitporkmafia BBQ Person of the Year 2013

04-07-2008, 10:42 AM	#6
Harbormaster somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 07-14-06 Location: Wyocena/Pardeeville, WI	Chit happens. Live and learn. Truth be told I am pretty comfortable with my WSMs that I usually leave them unattended now. I still sleep on the couch, and let them run 6 hours or so unatteneded, mostly 'cuz I don't want the meat to overcook. Never had a fire go out though. Better luck next time. __________________ Clark My Boys: Joseph (EI); Andrew (EE); Daniel (EE) My Toys: 10 WSMs (B, C, E, DH, DA, EZ, DZ, EO, DU, DR); 5 - 22.5" Bar-B-Q-Kettles; 2 - 18.5" Bar-B-Q-Kettle; 4 WGAs (EZ, DE, N, B); 2 SJPs ( DR, DR); 2 Smokey Joes (A, K); Brinkman Cimmaron. "For when democracy becomes tyranny, those of us with rifles still get to vote"

04-07-2008, 10:46 AM	#7
Jack2u2 is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 11-27-07 Location: West Tawakoni, TX.	I use my drum, my Backwoods and my WSM. All pretty much set and forget. But, I still can't go all night w/o getting up and checking. Maybe it's ingrained in me after all these years. I know I can go to sleep reasonably sure everything will be OK, but......... __________________ Jack -www.jrcsbbqandseasonings.com

04-07-2008, 12:30 AM	#5
bbqbull Watching over us. Join Date: 12-27-05 Location: Mid Michigan	Jack Im sorry that things went south on the cook. Your not the first person thats been afflicted with some bad luck. Nor will you be the last for sure. When im cooking an overnite I just stay up with the radio playing and a comfy chair. Im sure your next cook will be much better since you are learning your equipment.

04-07-2008, 01:16 PM	#8
Magnum Found some matches. Join Date: 03-21-08 Location: North Canton, Ohio	CJ - Similar situation here with the bullet. I just got mine recently but wondered how it could sustain a fire with the vents closed? Only way was leaking. Big challange to engineer a seal that will withstand the rigors of shipping I guess. Reformed it (in several ways) and put some silicone on the very bottom edge of the middle section where it meets the ash bowl. Much better now. See how long it lasts. Good luck.

04-07-2008, 07:22 PM	#10
JimT Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 03-15-06 Location: Battle Creek, MI	Oh Well,,,, That's why they invented "Pizza Delivery!" JimT __________________ Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment.

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