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3 birds, one stone


 

Dan H.

TVWBB Pro
3 questions been driving me nuts, as quick as I can.
1) I was asked to smoke a ham (not exactly sure, which exact part... maybe both) from a farm raised pig for a guy I often work around. I'm totally up for it, but never have before, and am planning on following K's steps in much older post I dug up on this site, for they made the most since to me, anything else I should know? almost just a quick basic lesson of do's and don'ts that I may not expect through my planning. thanks a million.
2)the talk of "burnt sugar" or "be careful of high temps. w/ this rub cause the sugars will burn" This I've thought through so much w/ no answere that makes any sense. A LOT of rubs bought or made all have sugar, yes some is turbinado, but I bought a whole bag of "Texas BBQ RUB" original, (which is surprisingly extremely good) that apperantly has what looks to be an %^&^*load of brown sugar in it. I also realized I've must have burnt the crap out of sugars I've used in the past on certain things. Can I assume ALL THE RUBS IN THE WORLD (basicly, but just kidding) would not be good candidates for high heat cooks?? To make more since, a perfect example from this site would be Roadside Chicken. Sugar is in it and I really get them baby's flamming and there awsome, burnt sugar and all. see what I mean? Is it sometimes desired to burn it or is to much burnt bad or what the heck...so many things have sugar, you cant escape it. I have decided sugar seems to be an important ingredient in certain desired amounts in a lot of my cooking/smoking/grilling. So I hope I can make sense of this, I can already feel my head getting bigger from the much appreciated info. THANKS!
3) Lastly, pine, fir, etc. and whatever are all porouse nasty "don't smoke with" woods and I totally agree obviously, but lately i've read about 'Black Forest Ham" and other things like Jamaican guys using soft woods and all kinds of crazy things! just curious cause I was under the impression overdosing on that nasty stuff could even make ya sick! and I wonder if camping this year I shouldn't be cooking my dogs over spruce wood anymore, lol. THANKS. just didn't want to post again till I felt I had a good reason. have a good one. sorry if these are silly q's, but heck It's ok w/ me I don't know nothin'!
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-Dan
 
I'm no expert, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night - just kidding
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My guess on #3 on your list is that the softwoods are burned down to coal before being used, so most of the resins and undesirable volatiles are burned off. Could be wrong on that, but couldn't imagine any meat would taste good without doing that first.
 

 

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