Two Major Article Rewrites

[Meathead]

Dr. Blonder has been busy in the lab and he has nailed down once and for all the cause of the Smoke Ring and I have rewritten my article on the subject to include the latest science. To accompany this is a major rewrite on wood and smoke and what they do when burned. Here are the links:

http://amazingribs.com/tips_and_technique/mythbusting_the_smoke_ring.html

http://amazingribs.com/tips_and_technique/zen_of_wood.html

[docblonder]

Thanks for all your help and support, MH!

[Huskee]

You guys rock. This is invaluable information that 99% of BBQ authors ignore and leave to common lore and assumption. 3 thumbs up.

[Jerod Broussard]

Might want to have Doc Blonder look into that third thumb.

[Huskee]

I'm sure he'd want to pass on that

[Virginia Dave]

GREAT information!

[Jerod Broussard]

woohooo....more stuff to digest!!!!!

I've hit at least two typos....you want them??

actually three, I have to send them, can't stand a guilty conscience.

[Meathead]

Got them. Thanks!

[boftx]

Good stuff!

One question, though. I could swear that I read either on AR (or possibly elsewhere) that unlike briquettes, you can add unlit lump charcoal directly to a going cook without a problem since it is basically pure carbon already. Does that ring any bells with you?

[Meathead]

All unlit charcoal or wood is cold. As it warms to full combustion (say 575F) it gives off different compounds on the way up. Those compounds have different flavors. Lump or briq or wood.

[boftx]

In light of what has been said, what does that say about the Minion or Snake techniques?

[Meathead]

@boftx I think it says that it is a fine way to manage heat but less than ideal source of smoke. It tends to produce lots of white smoke which a lot of people like, but many others think to be less than ideal. I know people who have told me for years they can taste it in the meat and they didn't know the science. If you are competing, it might work against you. If you are cooking for yourself, and you like the results, I wouldn't lose sleep. The alternative is to stay up all night add only full lit coals.

[_Keith]

Great updates! Reading these articles made me realize why I got so little smoke flavor in the Smokerator running on electric power. All the more reason to finish the conversion to charcoal!

[_Keith]

Smokerator. Used to be a refrigerator. Turned it into an electric smoker. Turning it into a charcoal smoker.

[Meathead]

Ah ha! Smokenator is also a tradmarked name for a device that goes in a Weber Kettle. Smokerator is YOUR trademark. Now I see the diff.

[_Keith]

The confusion is understandable. Unfortunately, "Refrigismoker" is awkward and inaccurate :-)