I'm going to pick little or no effect.
If you have your smoke flavor and smoke ring established slathering should have no effect.
My concern would be the effect on the bark losing its crust by slathering.
The biggest way to attract smoke flavor is to sell your pellet grill, get a kettle, OKJ Bronco or a regular smoker, and then start drinking Coors Light. The hallucinogenic effects of the Coors Light will make you think you’re cooking on a stick burner.
Last edited by Panhead John; November 17, 2021, 08:06 PM.
My view is the slather acts as a binder for the rub, helping retain more rub on the meat and depending on the slather ingredients, maybe some minor flavor added. No effect on smoke flavor or ring.
More smoke makes it smokier. My Traeger is no where near as smoky as the offset, and the WSCG is somewhere in the middle but leans to more smoky. However, when I use the Heavy D on the pellet pooper it amps the smoke profile way up. I don't use it much since I have other options, but it works as advertised.
You likely already know all this, but a couple things I've learned using a pellet rig is to put the meat on the cold grates, then start the smoker to get all that startup smoke, don't preheat. Put the meat in the freezer for an hour prior to this. And, if your rig has the room, I like to put a few small split chunks of wood on the diffuser right over the fire pot, under the drip tray. A handful of chips would work too. Gives you 20-30 min of extra 'real' smoke.
Scotch: Current favorite- The Arran (anything by them), Glenmorangie 12yr Lasanta, sherry cask finished. The Balvenie Double Wood, also like Oban 18yr, and The Glenlivet Nadurra (Oloroso sherry cask finished) among others. Neat please.
About meReal name: Aaron
Location: Farwell, Michigan- near Clare. (dead center of lower peninsula)
Occupation:
Healthcare- Licensed & Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) at MyMichigan Health, a University of Michigan Health System.
I personally found it to do nuthin' whatsoever. I have tried mustard, oil, and water. I use fingertips in water now, simply to help the rub seat and not spill off. More smoke = ice cold meat, more [good quality] smoke in your cooker, and longer cook times until wrapping.
Lang 48 inch Deluxe Patio Model (burns hickory splits)
PK 360 (burns premium lump charcoal with wood chunks)
28 inch Blackstone Griddle (propane)
Rubs I love:
Yardbird by Plow Boys
Killer Hogs by Malcom Reed
AP Rub by Malcom Reed
Meat Church (any)
Three Little Pigs Memphis Style for ribs
Would love to try Meathead's commercial rub
Sauces I love:
Gates'
Joe's
Pa & Ma's
Killer Hogs Vinegar Sauce
Disposable Equipment I use:
Disposable cutting boards
Tumbleweed chimney starters
Aluminum foil
Aluminum pans (half and full)
Latex gloves
Diamond Kosher Salt
Vice-President of BBQ Security, Roy
He's a pure-bred North American Brown Dog
He loves rawhide chewies
My wife calls me "Teddy" and I call her "Princess" and that's where "mrteddyprincess" comes from.
My slather is water. If my brisket, pork shoulder, or ribs have been dry rubbed, I just wet my hand and make the meat damp before I add dry rub. I used to do mustard as a binder, but notice no difference between mustard and water. As for smoke penetration, I think that has to do with the smoker one is using and smoke penetration varies among types of cookers.
Temperature dictates the smoke ring. Putting the meat in really cold and starting the cook off at lower temps will produce a nice smoke ring. As everyone else has said, the slather won't contribute to smoke adhesion as it's just a binder for the rub. Once the meat comes up to temp you can try spritzing for a little extra smoke adhesion but the difference will barely be noticeable.
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