Which Smoker Will Win?

[STEbbq]

Alright, it’s been a bit of a dry spell for outdoor cooking for me. But, not for much longer! So, a bit excited…

Next week, my exchange student’s family is visiting all of the way from Portugal. So I have been asked to provide some American BBQ. What can be better than a 12-13 pound prime Costco brisket, dry brined with SPOG for 24 hours or so and smoked to perfection?

Post trim, I figured it will be 9-10 pounds so a 6am start time should have me ready for 6pm with enough time for a few hours of resting.

We will feed 7 for dinner but only probably 1 or 2 for leftovers (my daughter and I).

Do I smoke it on the PK300 or Akorn?

The other one will be used for my strangely popular frozen and smoked French fries. Yes, I dump frozen French fries in my SS trays and smoke them at 400 for 45 minutes. Wonders never cease.

[barelfly]

Have fun! How cool will that be to cook for your exchange student’s family! Love it. Enjoy that

but cook on the cooker you are most confident in!

[STEbbq]

I am pretty confident in both despite having only 1-2 cooks on the PK300. I will be home and the Combustion will be monitoring so should be good either way!

[Dewesq55]

What is a Combustion? STEbbq

[STEbbq]

Dewesq55 https://combustion.inc/

[ItsAllGoneToTheDogs]

I'm intrigued by these frozen smoked fries...

[STEbbq]

I know! But they do taste good and smokey with a bit of salt of course.

[tenphases]

Are they soggy or do they have some texture?

[STEbbq]

tenphases I never take them off until they are reasonably crispy. Sometimes 45 minutes, sometimes 40 if I happen to run at 450, sometimes 50 minutes or so if the fries are really frozen etc. You get the idea.

[Clawbear57]

I don't know anything about either so I just watch.

[jfmorris]

I'm voting for cooking the brisket on the cooker you know best - the Akorn. Plus won't it fit better than on 1/2 of the PK grate?

[efincoop]

Funny, I was wondering the same thing about a brisket fitting on the PK.

[jfmorris]

efincoop yeah the PK300 or Original have a grate that is 22" by 14". In indirect mode, you basically have one side - 14x14, unless you do something creative. I've had few briskets that were only 14" long!

[STEbbq]

efincoop and Jim, I will go with whatever the votes say but I will at least take a pic of the brisket on the PK300 so we can see how it fits.

[radiodome21]

I tried doing tater tot’s on my pellet smoker low and slow. That didn’t work. I’ll have to try this on on of my charcoal smokers though. Sounds intriguing.

If it were me I’d use the PK, assuming it’ll fit. Weather looks decent enough in the Chicago area on Saturday.

[CandySueQ]

You're the winner in any case! I'd do brisket on Akorn and those intriguing fries on the PK.

[smokin fool]

I'm in the Akorn camp too.
Guess its because I use a Kamodo for my cooks.
At any rate ya gotta pitch yer tent someplace.

[STEbbq]

Pretty convincing lead for the Akorn so far!

[Polarbear777]

Fries should crisp up eventaullly at 450. That’s air frier temp. I’ll have to try that.

in any case I always like the pk IF it fits inside.

[Richard Chrz]

I’m in the need to try smoking cold fries camp.

[jfmorris]

Hey - with these frozen fries on the grill, how to you put them on there? On a sheet pan or something, like when you put them in an oven? Do you turn them during the cook? I certainly don't think I can put them in there on the cooking grate, haha.... but in a pan, not sure how I would do it either, unless on the offset or kamado. The kettle just wouldn't have room with the Vortex or SNS in there I think, and with the SNS probably won't reach 450F.

[STEbbq]

Here are my trays. I like to think the holes allow for better crispness and smoky flavor. I do use a bit of oil and flip them like you would in the oven.

https://pitmaster.amazingribs.com/forum/announcements/special-deals-limited-time-offers/1051615-costco-ss-bbq-trays-16?p=1053882#post1053882

[JeffJ]

I've always liked the phrase: It's not the cooker, it's the cook.

I'm sure either one can bang out a quality brisket.

[Richard Chrz]

While I have thought about, and now having Spinaker’s recommendation, I likely will add that rope style to mine at some point this summer. My rule has been just learn to run what you have, know it’s nuisances and adjust accordingly. But if it means a bit more efficiency in my fire, I would add for that. I certainly would not do it just to keep smoke from seeping out. It follows the belief of it is not the arrow, rather the archer.

[Bogy]

I thought from the title it was going to be something like the articles in Forbes or Better Homes & Gardens, with the winners in various categories being 3 Tragers, a Weber and a Cuisinart. This is much better.
I'm in the "use the one you feel most confident in" group, but I'm sure whichever one it is you will do America proud.

[Smoke n Beers]

i have to agree with barelfly. What has been your go to? I have looked at both & have experience with none. That being said, I have four smokers/grills and depending on what I want for the end result determines what I use for the application. In the end, the choice you make won't be wrong.

BTW; Soooo cool to be able to entertain your exchange students family. You got this. Do what makes you comfortable.