Cook advice from experts

[scholl]

I going to cook a ham and thought I'd use the UDS to do so.The question I like to ask can be applied to other meats and hope you guys can answer it.
When you are using the UDS to do something that requires less than 2.5 hrs do you still use the Minion method or do you lite all the lump and just use less.
I don't know if it makes a difference. Your thoughts?

Have a Merry Christmas!

 

[Ribeye Republic]

I'm assuming a ham that has been cured and pre-cooked. Just dump in some charcoal add some wood chunks and go. I usually "cook" my hams for three hours.

Why? That's how my dad taught me. YMMV

Welcome to the site!

 

[robinfresno]

I don't use a uds but when I do a smaller cook I still use the minion method if I want the temp to be around 250 or lower; when I light all the lump it is usually hotter than that.

 

[MisterChrister]

You still want mostly unlit in your firebasket with a partial chimney to light it off BUT; Instead of a traditional Minion method with the lit on top of the unlit, push the unlit to one side and put the lit next to it. It'll burn sideways and be easier to clean out the ash when you're done since it won't be on top of fresh charcoal.

 

[mchar69]

Yeah, you ain't 'cooking' you are warming it up.
MAYBE if you add some hickory or cherry you might get
more smoke on the outside. You are looking for a stable temp,
I'm guessing 275-325? Mine will run that w/ 3/4 large Weber chimney into the
full basket (I use mix lump and KComp, and cherry).

 

[scholl]

I'm assuming a ham that has been cured and pre-cooked. Just dump in some charcoal add some wood chunks and go. I usually "cook" my hams for three hours.

Why? That's how my dad taught me. YMMV

Welcome to the site!

That's about the cook time for this size ham when my wife uses the oven.
I just want to put some smoke flavor to it and will try this.
When a do chicken, it's a short cook. The soup I make with the carcass is the best I've ever had with a nice smokey taste.
Thanks to everyone for the help. Merry Christmas to all.

 

[scholl]

You still want mostly unlit in your firebasket with a partial chimney to light it off BUT; Instead of a traditional Minion method with the lit on top of the unlit, push the unlit to one side and put the lit next to it. It'll burn sideways and be easier to clean out the ash when you're done since it won't be on top of fresh charcoal.

I used your method the last time I did a chicken and it worked perfectly. Thing is, I had no idea why, I just did it. Thanks for confirming this as being an approved method.