Wayne’s Inaugural SNS Kettle Cook

[WayneT]

As many of you know, I just recently procured a brand, spanking new SNS Kettle Deluxe. I did the burn-in yesterday and was going to cook a rack of ribs but Mother Nature put the kibosh on that. Monday here in the Yadkin Valley is beautiful so it’s time to see what this cooker can do. Well, it’s really a test to see what I can do with a new tool.


Cut the 13 bone rack in half just for ease of handling. Dry brined for 24+ hours.


Put down a base layer of Meat Church Honey Hog Hot rub followed by a top layer of Honey Hog rub. Just wanted to temper the heat a bit.


I probably put more charcoal than I needed initially so had to add some apple juice to the reservoir and wait about an hour for the temp to come down and stabilize. Used around 1/2 of a chimney full. Made some very slight adjustments to the vents, added an apple wood chunk and away I go.


I will be the first to admit up front that the smell of actual wood burning is so different in intensity and visually than using a pellet pooper. This makes me realize how much I may have missed over the last 4 years and since I gave my WSM to my son. This cooker may just fill that niche In my arsenal that I’ve been missing.

Updates to follow as things progress. Any constructive feedback is welcome in the meantime.

[WayneT]

An hour into the cook, temp is holding pretty well.


Already seeing some bark formation. Added another apple chunk.

[FireMan]

Mo better! 👍

[holehogg]

Must say you're coming across a lot more manly today :-)

[WayneT]

Never giving up my ponytail and pink hat though!

[RonB]

Panhead John - I can't help but wonder how you counted his chest hairs...

[HotSun]

+1 lol....

[rickgregory]

Apple juice in the reservoir - Don't let it get dry if you use other than water in there... the sugars burning might be... not good. Curious to see if you feel that adds to the cook since I've only ever used water.

[WayneT]

Timely feedback. Thanks. Just added some hot water to refill the reservoir and dilute the remaining apple juice.

[Panhead John]

Wayne, hope your ribs turn out great! Judging by the pics though, I don’t think you used nearly enough charcoal. All of the charcoal looks to be fully lit and ashed over as well. Did you put all fully lit coals in the SnS? If the pics are one hour into the cook, I don’t think they’ll last the full 4 or 5 hours required for a rib cook.

With the SnS insert and doing a slow cook, I’ll usually fill it to the top with unlit coals. Then on one side of the SnS, I’ll use 1 or 2 tumbleweeds to start the coals. After several of the coals have lit, then put the lid on with vents wide open until it comes almost to temp. After my temp is almost reached, close the vents enough to maintain your cooking temps.

It’s better to have enough charcoal in the SnS for the full cook, and maybe have some left over, than have to add more coals during the cook. Am I mistaken with what I’m seeing?

[DaveD]

This is how several SnS demo vids (and I believe the instruction manual) recommend as well, start a dozen or so coals with a starter in the corner of the insert, then after 10-15 min when they're well on the way, add the rest of the coals unlit so that the fire will just work its way along over time. Couple of wood chunks, one after another, so that fresh smoke supply is there when the coals get that far. This from my prodigious experience of TWO cooks!

[WayneT]

DaveD You know, I actually watched that video but must have had a brain fart between then and now. 🙄

[FireMan]

Yup, on the coal number thing.

[radiodome21]

Good observation. I think you’re correct. Cooking with wood chunks definitely has a different aroma than a pellet smoker. I noticed it too this weekend with some cherry and apple chunks I used.

[Purc]

Becareful of any sugared liquid in the water reservoir. The water boils out and the sugar turns to a sticky mess. I found that out years ago!

[WayneT]

I’m spritzing with apple juice now and have mostly water in reservoir. Plan to keep it close to full so sugars won’t turn to syrup.

[WayneT]

3.5 hours into the cook.


Bark is amazing and getting pullback on all rib bones now.

I’ve added unlit briquettes twice now and they’ve caught nicely to keep temp within 225F to 270F. I can see the wisdom of simply lighting a few briquettes on one end to begin then filling the insert up with unlit ones for a slow burn across. Next time…

[Sid P]

Lookin good! Have you stuck a toothpick in them?

[WayneT]

They’re at 185F and probe tender. Just slathered on finishing sauce.

[FireMan]

Mo, Mo better!

[WayneT]

Slathered on some finishing sauces, our old standby, Jack Daniels, and a new discovery, Kinder’s. The latter has a bit of a smoky aftertaste while the former doesn’t. Otherwise, they taste very similar.



And I think they are done!



Plating and carnivores at work pix later.

[FireMan]

Most bestest!

[PitBarrelPaul]

Don't leave us hanging. How were they?

[DavidNorcross]

Good work WayneT !

[WayneT]

Finale!






I will gladly accept this as my first rookie cook on my SNS Kettle. 10 of 13 ribs demolished. Texture was perfect - bite-off-the-bone, steak like and tender. I may spritz more often next time to introduce more moisture. The smoke flavor was ethereal.Having used the pellet grill for the last 4 years and now using the kettle as a smoker really emphasizes the difference in the smoke flavor profile. Real wood is a winner. That’s not to say I would use the SNS for every cook, but it certainly has its place in my culinary arsenal.

Thanks for talking me down from the ledge rickgregory, RonB, Purc, DaveD and Panhead John.

[rickgregory]

"...10 of 13 ribs demolished. "

YOU LEFT THREE???

[FireMan]

You got real & won!

[Sid P]

They certainly look good. Glad you’re happy!

[DaveD]

You're off and running! And will leave me in the dust right quick, I'm very sure!

[WayneT]

Sorry PJ, gotcha!!

Edit: I know there will be hell to pay now for this.

[Panhead John]

Wayne, dude, before I joined AR I was still using lighter fluid for all my charcoal cooks, even low and slow! 😂 I’d never heard of a Vortex, SnS and a million other things, much less know how to use one. Never had used a grate probe or owned one. We’re all in this together bro!

[Panhead John]

Here’s a video I watched when I first got mine.

https://youtu.be/QwA3LQmxSok

[ssennott]

The last photo says it all