Filet Mignon Extra Smokey

Extra Smokey Filet Mignon

When to Cook Low and Slow

It is so confusing.  When do I cook hot and fast, low and slow or perhsps both?

Perhaps this article will help Click here

Sorry Traeger

After 4 plus years my Traeger Jr just decided to stop being reliable.  I made a decision after much thought to purchase a Cabelas pro series 24 inch ellipitacal grill.  It has 670 sq in of grill real estate with 500 on the primary grill rack.

It is made by dansons the same company that makes pit boss and Louisana Grills. It is priced at $600 cheaper then the Louisana Grill and more expensive then Pit boss. It has 671 Sq in of grilling real estate so I am comparing to the 700 sq in versions of the other 2. It is extremely feature rich and in my opinion the best bang for the buck. They also have a 1000 sq in one

After using a Traeger Jr for 4 plus years this pit is plenty big for me.  Here are some of the main features that made me feel its the best bang fo the buck.

It came pre built

A digital push button thermostat with 2 meat probes and PID controller.

It has a see thru window on the lid (now I can be cooking and Looking)

Flame broiler which works with a simple lever( cook over open Flame).    The handle to operate the Flame Broiler is huge.  The Pit Boss does not have a handle.

Pellet clean out shoot.  It's opens to easy so I  just ducted tape it shut! It's not a feature I plan on using often.  The only time I would use this is if I take apart my grill.
         I am sorry to say the Pellet cleanout shoot didn't work very well only about 1/2 the pellets came           out.  Had to remover the honeycomb hopper screen to remove all the pellets.

          I also duct taped it shut since it was way to easy to open.

Ash clean out. (This is amazing being 6" 4' with a bad back I hated taking apart my Traeger to vacum out the ash)  In practice I still need to take apart but it is taller and much easier to work with.
          A great feature on paper but in practice not so much.  I find I still need to take apart the grill to           clean it out.

A 30lb hopper with see thru window. (More then twice as big as my Traeger and larger then most others)

Very large side shelf..  When the Pellet hopper is closed this acts as a 2nd side shelf.

It appears to be well made.

A lifetime warranty.  Cabelas will fix it replace free at three discretion.

Even tho some of the features didn't work as well as I wanted them too the Pid Controller, Grill size and sturdiness still make this a tremendous value for the price.

Watch the video. https://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabelas-Pro-Series-Elliptical-Pellet-Grill/2706548.uts

A few things I've noticed just from the burn in.. 

My Traeger Jr  Extra Shelf fits in nicely with the warming rack in place for extra grill real estate.

Bringing the total cooking space to about 900sq inches.

The pellet release hopper opens to easy. Easily fixed with duct tape. It opened while I was removing the cover and dumped about 5 lbs of pellets.

I had it set at 450 on the burn in .It was running has high as 490.  I'm not concerned about this temp swings are normal. 

The honey comb grate  on top of the hopper makes it hard to smooth out the pellets and add my hopper extension. (This looks removable not sure I will need too the hopper is huge.)

A few more observations
It has 2 ports for meat probes but only came with 1 probe. (Not a big deal since I use my Thermoworks Smoke and Igrill 2)

The ash cleanout system isnt very robust and you still need to take it apart and vacuum out the ash.  It does get blown all over by the fan.

The customer service is great, long wait time in early PM.

Not many accessories available the two items I'd be most interested in is a front shelf and insulation blanket.

Don't Forget to open the Chimney.

Thermoworks Smoke Review

The Thermoworks smoke is an leave in Thermometer by thermoworks.

First impressions on unboxing. It is extermely well made and heavier then the others.  They are suppose to come pre paired the Reciever and transmitter.  In my case they werent but a fast search of there website and I synced them is less then 5 minutes.

The Thermoworks smoke is the best leave in thermometer I own. I do have an Igrill 2 , I grill mini and a Maverick.

The I grill2 works well with some quirks, the app needs to be reset a lot.  The bluetooth needs to be repaired often. The maverick seemed to work well when it was turned on but I had a hard time turning it on. 

Now back to the thermoworks.   The biggest thing i like about my thermomworks smoke is that it works in my basement office.  The other thermomters loose connection in my office.  I like doing long cooks while Im home working so the office connectivity is huge.

The thermoworks smoke is modular.  I can add a wi fi unit at any time and monitor my pit while I am away from home.  I havent had that need yet but Im sure there is a wi fi unit in my future.

The thermoworks products including the smoke are made for professional cooks and competiton BBQ teams and are not for there accuracy.

The cons are that it only has 2 probes so if I am cooking 2 pork butts (which I often do)  i cant monitor my pit and the food at the same time.  I do have the igrill so I can use 2 thermometers to monitor my cook.

Click the below link to purchase the smoke and view the features video.
Click here for smoke

Here is info on Wi Fi gateway click here

One last tip if you sign up for email updates you oftem hear about sales on all of the Thermoworks products.  I purchased my thermapen, thermapen mk4, thermopop and my smoke on sale from those emails. 

Time Saving Goodness Sliiced Pork Shoulder

I am not sure what I like more the Thermoworks Blog or there products.

Here is there post about slicing a pork shoulder vs Pulling it.  You pull it from smoker at 175 degrees about 30 degrees sooner Read the Article here for the details
https://blog.thermoworks.com/2018/04/smoking-a-pork-shoulder-for-sliced-bbq/?utm_source=Nl-2018Apr28&utm_medium=email&utm_term=Feature&utm_content=inbox&utm_campaign=April2018-Smoked-Pork-cs

Pulled Pork 1/2 the time

Thermoworks has an awesome blog.  Its not always about BBQ but frequently it is.

Here is thier take on pulled pork in 1/2 the time. Ive never done it this way but who knows someday I Might

https://blog.thermoworks.com/2015/10/pulled-pork-time-temperature-matters/

Reheating That BBQ

Here is a Great chart from Foody Direct and Jack Stack BBQ on how to reheat the following foods.  Most of these foods can be reheated in the Grill, Oven or Microwave.


Baby Back Ribs
Spare Ribs
Beef Ribs
Lamb Ribs
Burnt Ends
Pulled Chicken
Pulled Pork
BBQ SAUSAGE
BBQ Wings
Sliced Beef Brisket
Hickory Pit Beans

Click Here for chart You may need to scroll to Page 2

Bbq Bologna

I have made BBQ Bologna using the Malcom Reed method it was amazing

Click here for Recipe

I also like this recipe by BBQ pit Boys

https://bbqpitboys.com/no-boloney-bologna-burgers/

The Big Steak Sear Myth

The Traeger Facebook pages have lots of posts about searing steaks.  Do you sear first, do you sear last (the reverse sear).  The Sear myth takes the form that searing steaks locks in the juices.

This article discussing that myth To sear or not to sear

BBQ RIBS Its not always 3-2-1

I have seen lots of Rib Recipes online.  Many of them are not 3-2-1.  I do plan on triing some of these in the future

Malcom Reed Spare Ribs

Quick Ribs less then 3 hours

BBQ PIT BOYS Lots of rib

Oven Temp Swings (Same as a Traeger)

So many people complain about temp swings with their Traegers.  This is no different then your home oven.  This is a good read about Oven Temperture Swings

Frozen Chicken Breast

The smoke setting usually defrosts them easily. You can check internal temp after about 30 minutes.

After they've defrosted, you can season them how you like.

Here are a few ideas ive found on facebook.

Any times are aproximate you want to cook to an IT of 165

Set the temp to 350.  Olive oil, salt pepper and garlic powder.  15 minutes then flip for 12 minutes pull off and rest for 15 minutes.

Some prepackaged chicken have cook from frozen directions on the bag.  If you can do it in the oven you can do it on tge T.

Top 13 bbq websites

http://http://www.ilovegrillingmeat.com/top-13-best-bbq-youtube-channels-for-summer-2015/-2015/

Smoked Chese

I will use the Malcom reed method

https://youtu.be/pdpBb78DvL0

http://howtobbqright.com/2015/01/16/cold-smoked-cheese-2/

Smoked egss

I still need to smoke eggs in shell.

The recipe is real simple smoke at 225 for an hour

Venison Steak Recipe

I recently received some deer steaks.  I plan on using this recipe

http://www.traegergrills.com/recipes/wild-game/bowmars-venison-steaks-asparagus

Rib Eye Recipe DRY Brine first.

http://blog2.thermoworks.com/2016/04/grilled-ribeye-bone-boneless/

Rib Eye Costco Vs KC Steak Company

Rib Eye Taste Test

KC Steak Dry Aged Rib Eyes

Costco USDA Prime Rib Eye Steaks

First Impressions

The Costco Steaks are on the Left and the KC Steak Company Steaks are on the Right.  The Costco Steaks appear to be a lighter color,  The KC Steaks are Dry aged up to 28 days hence the darker color,  The KC Steaks are USDA Prime, they are about 10 oz each and are thicker then the KC Steaks which are 8 oz each and no grade assigned. The Costco steaks are fresh the KC are flash frozen and vacuum sealed.  The Cost steaks were about $18 a lb and the KC Steaks were about $12 a lb on sale and using a $25 off Promo Coupon with free shipping.

Costco Steaks on Grillgrates

Cooking Method

I use the reverse sear method for this cook the Rib-Eyes were removed  from Fridge about 1 hour prior to cooking then Seasoned  well top and bottom  with salt and Pepper. 

They then sat at  room temperature for 45 minutes or so.

Pre heated the Grill to 350 Place the Rib Eyes  on the grill  

When the Internal temperature reaches 130 remove from grill and rest tented in foil

Turn up the grill to Max Temperature and sear 2 minutes then flip and sear for 2 more minutes

I use GrillGrates to get a better Sear

The Taste

The Costco steaks won the taste test hands down.  They were way more tender.  A lot more juicy and they tasted better.  If the costco steaks are an 8 on a scale of 1 to 10 then the KC Steaks are at most a 4.  I dont see myself buying these KC Steaks again not when Costco was way better.

Cutco Knives Why buy I them used?

Cutco Knives

Brand New Cutco Knife 1723 from Amazon

I purchased the above Cutco Carver 1723 knife on Amazon for my wife as a birthday present.  She absolutely loves it.  I paid $119 for it brand new and my wife claims it is worth every single cent of it.

I have seen many discussions in the Traeger groups on which are the best knives to buy and frankly I don't have enough experience to claim that one brand is better then the next,  I do know that Cutco makes a top of the line product and many chefs, butchers and Pit masters use their knives.

Why do I now buy my Cutco knives used.  Cutco will sharpen or replace your knives forever free of charge,  All you need to do is follow this link to send the Knives to Cutco with a small check to cover return postage,  They will sharpen the knives and polish the handles free of charge.  If they can't sharpen them they will replace them.  If you have a vintage knife and don't want it replaced let them know.

If you have multiple knives send them in all at once to save on return postage. The return postage fee for up to 10 knives is only $9.   The return postage fee for 11 to 25 is $11 and over 25 its only $13 with a maximum of 40 knives.

If you are lucky enough to have a Cutco knife store near where you live they can sharpen them on sight for free or they will send them to the factory for free. If you don't mind picking them up in store about 10 days later you will have factory sharpened knives.  The lady in the store explained that factory sharpened is better then in store sharpened.  I can't wait to get my factory sharpened knives back and start using them. My wife is pretty excited also.  Click here for retail stores

Buying Strategy 1

I don't mind sharing my buying strategy since I am fairly certain I have purchased all the cutco knives my wife and I want in only about 1 weeks time. When I purchase my Knives on E bay I like to use the Buy it Now option.  Some Buy it now options also have a make offer option.  If it has a Make offer I will offer 50 to 70 percent of buy it now price. My goal is to get the knives at below $20 but no more then $25 if at all possible.

I do an E bay search on Cutco Knife.  I will filter on Buy it now and sometimes knife type.  I then set up sort Price Low to high.  I may also set up a filter for $15 to $100 to filter out things like $7.99 polishing cloths.

As an alternative strategy I do a search on cutco and order by ending soonest.  I place a bid with about 1 minute left if I see a Knife I like.  I just won an auction using this strategy and after I get the Knife sharpened I will use it as an incentive on a promotion I plan to run.  Because I have a Cutco store in my area they will send them to the factory for free for service, it takes 10 days  I got this set for only $13 plus 6.50 for shipping.  Cutco 22 Butcher and 26 Fork.

The alternative strategy just keeps on giving.  I have won 3 more knives using this strategy.  I set a timer to tell me when to bid.

A cutco 1798 DD mini trimmer.  It is brand new.  It is a mini version of the 1721 knife.  It is not availabe for sale but used as samples and is a rare knife.  I purchased this knife for $22.09 plus $3.00 shipping.

A cutco 38 spatula spreader.  This Cutco product was only $5.00 plus $3.02 shipping.  It is a first generation product made between 1949. and 1951.  It looks similar to the modern day 1768.

A cutco 1034 bread slicing knife.  This knife was purchased for $9.99 plus 7.00 shipping.  It is a 3rd generation knife and compares to 1724. 

Purchase History

I have purchased the following cutco knives on Ebay using the above strategy 1.  The most expensive knife I purchased was only $23 I purchased a 2 piece carver set for $34.99 with shipping ($17.50 each) and a 9 piece steak knife set for 107.08 (11.90 each)

I recently came across this article about the 4 generations of Cutco Knives and knives numbered in the 30's and 47 are 1st generation dating from 1949 to 1951.   The second generation in the 20's ran from 1952 to 1959.  The third generation the 1000 series were produced from 1960 to 1971 and the 4th generation ran from 1971 to present.

For full article click here

Petite Carver 1721

The Petite Carver 1721 for $19 with free shipping.  Seller indicates knife is in good condition with scratches on handle. This knife is stamped 1721 JI indicating a 4th generation Knife produced in 1998 according to above mentioned reference, This knife was purchased using the make offer option,  The seller was asking 27.99. 

The 9 inch Vintage Carver 23 for $23 with free shipping.  I have already received this knife and its in really nice conditioned with a nicely polished handle. This is a 2nd generation knife produced from 1952 to 1959  This knife was purchased using make offer option the seller was asking 29.99. Compare to 1723.

A set of 8 Vintage 1950's Steak knives #47 with wooden storage block for $99.99 plus $7.09 shipping.  The seller description stated he had to post this item as used because he purchased it at a garage sale but they look in excellent condition like they have never been used and the only sign of wear was the box looked weathered.

A Vintage Carving set Butcher Knife 32 and Turning fork #37 for $29.99 + 5.00 shipping. The seller indicated the set was in excellent condition and factory sharpened and polished.  This is a 1st generation set produced from 1949 to 1951.  I assume the cardboard sheaths are part of the set since they are pictured.

Pictured are 6 Cutco 1720 paring knives.  I purchased one of them for $20 with $2.62 shipping.  The seller was asking $35.  I used the make offer feature.  These are a 4th generation knife produced from 1971 to present.  I won't know the production date of mine till it arrives.

A Cutco French Chef  knife item number 35 a first generation Knife produced from 1949 to 1951.  This item was purchased for 39.95 with free shipping using the buy it now option.  This knife completes our set.






Although we feel our Cutco knife set is now complete, we do have a few other we wouldn't mind having and I'll keep a lookout for them using both strategies and purchase them if I get the price I am willing to pay.

USDA Prime Ribeye

Beef Ribeye Eye of Rib Boneless USDA Prime

Beef Ribeye Eye of Rib Boneless USDA Prime

About 75 to 85% of the time when the wife and I go out to eat we go for breakfast, it works best for our schedules. I was in Costco Today and I saw some Beef Rib-eye Eye of Rib Boneless USDA Prime beef.  I don't very often buy Prime beef but I may start to buy it more often its cheaper then dinner for 2 and way better on the Traeger.

Ingredients

About 2 lbs of Boneless Rib-eye (USDA Prime Optional)

Salt and pepper or your favorite rub

Grill Setup

Start Traeger on smoke for 10 minutes with lid open'

Preheat lid closed to temperature 350

Reverse Sear Method

The Cook

I use the reverse sear method for this cook

Removed the Rib-Eyes from Fridge about 1 hour prior to cooking
Seasoned  well top and bottom  with salt and Pepper (or your favorite rub) 
Set at  room temperature for 45 minutes or so.

Place the Rib Eyes  on the grill  

When the Internal temperature reaches 130 remove from grill and rest tented in foil

Turn up the grill to Max Temperature and sear 2 minutes then flip and sear for 2 more minutes

I use GrillGrates to get a better Sear

Rib Eye and Sweet Potatoes

The Taste Test

The meat was tender and Juicy.  It tasted amazing. My wife made her signature sweet potatoes to go with the Ribeyes,

Please Note:

Any recipe I make is just a guideline.  I am not a big fan of gooey sauces so almost everything  I cook would be a dry rub.  You of course should experiment and see what works best for you.  I don't often recommend a rub because it is a matter of personnel taste.  This recipe would also work well on most other pellet grills or charcoal and gas grill using indirect heat for the low temperature recipes.