can someone help me out? I am interested in this smoker but have read some concerns about the temp. probe and having to cook boston butts for over 12 hours. Is this a good smoker?
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There's nothing unusual about cooking a Boston Butt for over 12 hours. A typical Boston Butt will weigh from 6.5 to 8 pounds. The "estimated" cooking time would be about 1 1/2 hours per pound that could mean anywhere from 13 to 16 hours.
As far as the probe is concerned, you'll have to wait until one of the owners of these shows up here, or phone Cookshack direct and ask your question.
As far as the probe is concerned, you'll have to wait until one of the owners of these shows up here, or phone Cookshack direct and ask your question.
the CS AmQ is a great smoker; like all CS smokers it is built like a tank. I have verified the average temps with a seperate oven temp probe and it is very accurate. Probe cooking works great as well. 12 hours for a BB is not unusual if you consider 1 1/2 hours per pound that would mean an 8 pound butt. Low and slow allows much of the fat to render out and the meat stays moist 'cause the AmQ is tight and holds the moisture in.
You can cook the butt faster in an oven, but you're not going to get the great smoke flavor and tenderness you get in the Cookshack. A longer cook is really not a problem. Just start the night before, let it go low and slow, and when it's done take it out. If it's done before you want to eat, then double foil, towel and cooler it. It will stay hot for several hours and even get more tender. How cool is that?
We're all after something different and better than we had. It means doing things different. Get a Cookshack, cook low and slow, and voila!!! You won't regret.
We're all after something different and better than we had. It means doing things different. Get a Cookshack, cook low and slow, and voila!!! You won't regret.
I have had my Amerique for about six months now and its been terrific. No troubles with anything except my 3-year old trying to help Daddy out and slamming the door on my temperature probe. Nice to know it still works after being bent slightly! I would recommend buying the cover for it as well, it's very heavy duty and well worth the money.
I would not buy the rib racks unless you like to do lots of small Baby Backs, they are not really tall enough for full slabs of spare ribs, or even St. Louis cut. I hear that the rib hooks work great though.
The Charcoal Store had the best price at the time with free shipping - what are you waiting for???
I would not buy the rib racks unless you like to do lots of small Baby Backs, they are not really tall enough for full slabs of spare ribs, or even St. Louis cut. I hear that the rib hooks work great though.
The Charcoal Store had the best price at the time with free shipping - what are you waiting for???
Does a cover not come with it?
If you want the greatest tasting smoked foods with the least amount of work(I feel guilty saying that) then buy the Q, BUT here is the disclaimer. Good BBQ is addicting, make sure you understand that. It's like legal Crack.
Once your Q arrives and you do your first few Butts, the following will happen:
You'll bookmark numerous BBQ blogs and Websites.
You'll download the Best of Cookshack, and start making sauces weekly and dreaming up new ones.
You'll join the forum and meet great people.
You'll go to a BBQ comp, take the Judges Class, talk to the competitors, consider maybe entering(though not with a Q).
You'll start looking for meat to go on sale or you'll starting buying meat by the case.
You'll develop a new healthy respect and relationship with your butcher.
Last and most important, your current friends will become better friends and you'll find new friends you never thought you had, once you start showing up with great BBQ.
Oh, and to answer your question, I've had the Q going on 3 months, smoke every week, yes, I plan on at least 18 hours for butts, if not more, but I cook at 225 and get good size butts(and understand, It's done when It's done). Always start butts night before, use two probes, both track meat spot on, the hold mode on the Q works great, the unit is built like a tank, did buy from Charcoal store, plan to go to CS cooking class in December to meet the great folks that build and sell these units.
Just look at it like this, your not buying a Smoker, but rather adding a new member to your family.
Sorry for the long post, must be the quart of coffee I'm drinking out of the Bell Canning Jar.
Hmmm, canning jar, ya, I'll be canning sauce near future.
Hope his helps
Once your Q arrives and you do your first few Butts, the following will happen:
You'll bookmark numerous BBQ blogs and Websites.
You'll download the Best of Cookshack, and start making sauces weekly and dreaming up new ones.
You'll join the forum and meet great people.
You'll go to a BBQ comp, take the Judges Class, talk to the competitors, consider maybe entering(though not with a Q).
You'll start looking for meat to go on sale or you'll starting buying meat by the case.
You'll develop a new healthy respect and relationship with your butcher.
Last and most important, your current friends will become better friends and you'll find new friends you never thought you had, once you start showing up with great BBQ.
Oh, and to answer your question, I've had the Q going on 3 months, smoke every week, yes, I plan on at least 18 hours for butts, if not more, but I cook at 225 and get good size butts(and understand, It's done when It's done). Always start butts night before, use two probes, both track meat spot on, the hold mode on the Q works great, the unit is built like a tank, did buy from Charcoal store, plan to go to CS cooking class in December to meet the great folks that build and sell these units.
Just look at it like this, your not buying a Smoker, but rather adding a new member to your family.
Sorry for the long post, must be the quart of coffee I'm drinking out of the Bell Canning Jar.
Hmmm, canning jar, ya, I'll be canning sauce near future.
Hope his helps
My pressure cooker can cook a butt in 45 mins,and I don't even have to worry about a temp probe.
It just jiggles and spouts steam when it is too hot.
I understand there are stores that even sell smoke in a bottle?
You don't even have to go outside to cook.
The commercial models are built almost as solid as a Cookshack.
Of course, you can blow the safety seal up to your kitchen ceiling.
Don't ask how I know.
It just jiggles and spouts steam when it is too hot.
I understand there are stores that even sell smoke in a bottle?
You don't even have to go outside to cook.
The commercial models are built almost as solid as a Cookshack.
Of course, you can blow the safety seal up to your kitchen ceiling.
Don't ask how I know.
quote:Originally posted by GARY WESTBERG:
can someone help me out? I am interested in this smoker but have read some concerns about the temp. probe and having to cook boston butts for over 12 hours. Is this a good smoker?
Garry,
I moved this to the "which smoker" forum so that you could find the many posts we have on smokers, from their owners.
Keep in mind, in forums, it's easy to post when you have an issue, but I don't think the total number of posts about the probe make it a concern.
What you will find is a forum that supports owners (and others) in how to improve their Q and more comments about CS Customer Service being the best around.
have a read through this Forum, and the Owners forum for their comments.
Thanks for all the replies and information. I already like this forum. When I get my new Amerique soon I will let you know how it does!
Thumper bought an Americue and got someone else to put the wheels on. Big hassle, those wheels, but Thumper persevered.
Thumper started to smoke stuff in the Americue, pork butt, brisket and ribs. No hassle at all and the food, every bit of it, came out great.
Thumper is now a barbeque hero and very glad he went with the Americue.
Thumper
Thumper started to smoke stuff in the Americue, pork butt, brisket and ribs. No hassle at all and the food, every bit of it, came out great.
Thumper is now a barbeque hero and very glad he went with the Americue.
Thumper
jcohen1005
Amen.
Pags
Amen.
Pags
When Thumper is happy, everybody is happy.
Go with the AQ. I have had mine 2 years and every thing works great, temp & probe. Have never had a problem and it gets used at least once a week. Will make you look like a pro!!