Another early morning BBQ evolution

[chris comer]

Up at 3:30, to fire up the smoker and rub down a couple of pork shoulders, for tonights dinner.
One of them will be heading down the street to my buddies house who has company in from California, the other to be consumed here at home. One thing I've learned about these early morning evolutions is to do as much up-front work as possible the night before, so when you wake up at these early hours with a heavy head you don't forget things. All I had to do this morning was rub the meat and fire up the chimney. Now it's time to start up the coffee pot sit outside and ejoy the smoke and the sunrise. Everybody have a good day out there.........Chris

 

[Larry Wolfe]

Originally posted by chris comer:
Up at 3:30, to fire up the smoker and rub down a couple of pork shoulders, for tonights dinner.
One of them will be heading down the street to my buddies house who has company in from California, the other to be consumed here at home. One thing I've learned about these early morning evolutions is to do as much up-front work as possible the night before, so when you wake up at these early hours with a heavy head you don't forget things. All I had to do this morning was rub the meat and fire up the chimney. Now it's time to start up the coffee pot sit outside and ejoy the smoke and the sunrise. Everybody have a good day out there.........Chris

Chris I agree about the pre-planning~

But sipping coffee as the smoke and sun rise together is just priceless isn't it?? One of my favorite things to do!

 

[Vince B]

+1 on doing this. I'm like a kid on xmas everytime I do this. Also there is nothing better than seeing the faces of the neighbors faces when they walk out and smell the smoke. Vince

 

[Joe Abad]

Good morning... Yes one of the better things in life to do in the morning especially when the end product is dinner! I think the smell wafting in the morning air surpasses that of frying bacon... just my opinion. joe

 

[James H]

one of my favorites also!

Something so primal about an early morning smoke

 

[derek_d]

Try BBQ on a biscuit. Makes an outstanding breakfast after an all-night cook.

I now start my pork butts before going to bed and don't sweat it if they're done several hours before eating (wrap them in foil and towels and put in ice chest to keep warm for several hours).

 

[chris comer]

It's a nice way to start the day, but would be so much better if I lived in the country, or at least had a few acres of solutude.

 

[Phil Perrin]

Yes,the early morning smell of smoke is fantastic! And the inquiry from the neighbors as to what's cooking is music to my ears!

 

[LarryR]

But sipping coffee as the smoke and sun rise together is just priceless isn't it?? One of my favorite things to do!

Larry this is as close as I get to a spiritual experience. Nothing I'd rather be doing . . . ok, maybe a couple of things but this one's up there. Someone had mentioned their dog sits with them while doing this, don't have a dog but I imagine that would enhance the experience. A teenager bitching because you woke them up at 4:00 a.m. to get some meat on and watch the sunrise just isn't the same.

I've gotten to the point on my prep that I've got my pit loaded, chimney loaded etc. Coffee's even on a timer so it's ready when I stumble into the kitchen.

 

[Don Pflederer]

While I'm a morning person, I've found that if I start the cook the evening before it's done the following morning. I can then foil it for an hour or so and pull it before lunch. Put the meat in a roaster pan and refridgerate until about two hours before chow time. Then reheat at 175-200 in the roaster.

If something doesn't go quite right I have time to fix the problem and I'm not rushed to get the meat ready just before company arrives. I can also have the WSM and my other preparation stuff all cleaned up ahead.

 

[chris comer]

I have found overnight cooks to be unnecessary, unless I just want to make a big deal out of a cook and spend some quality time with my 11 year old son. I & my guests can't tell the difference from a Butt cooked 16 hours at 225 from a butt cooked 12 hours at 275. That being said it is just easier to get up early and then be able to monitor the whole cook. It takes away the margin for error while sleeping, if I had an ATC device I'm sure my attitude would be different. We normally eat pretty late around here, so I've not really been pressed for time yet. The shoulders I cooked today came in around 12 hours and that was without foiling. Nice and tender.