Tuesday, October 27, 2020

Smoking Meat for Beginners Book Review

Smoking Meat for Beginners Book Review
Everyone knows that I have a passion for preserving old family recipes. These are recipes passed down from my grandmother, mother, and aunts. You can find these old family recipes along with some new ones on my blog, Sam's Places.

During grilling season here in Western NY I love cooking on my grill. I'm always looking for new ideas and recipes to try on the grill.

A few years ago I started to follow David Farrell's blog oldfatguy.ca. I quickly became a fan and very interested in David's recipes and methods of smoking meats.

At the time I didn't have a smoker, I had a gas grill. I really wanted to try one of David's methods. So I followed his method for his 3-2-1 Spareribs on my gas grill. I picked up some wood chips wrapped them in tinfoil then poked some holes in them. 

I followed his method for seasoning, temperature to maintain, and cooking time. They were delicious and I was hooked.

 

The Old Fat Guy's Guide To Smoking Meat For Beginners

When his book came out I couldn't wait to buy it. I knew that I wanted a smoker but had no idea what type of smoker to buy. After reading the very first section of the book where David explains the benefits and downsides of every type of smoker. I decided that I wanted an offset smoker.

Char-Griller Offset Smoker


 And, low and behold, for Father's Day my daughter bought me this Char-Griller offset smoker. Now I was all set. 
 I had the book and the smoker.

The next part of the book will explain all about accessories for your smoker. What you need from temperature control, cleaning your equipment, cooking utensils, types of wood for smoking, and much more.

Then, David tells us how to get your smoker ready no matter what smoker you have. There is a whole section dedicated to food safety. I found this to be very helpful with tips on cross-contamination, dangerous ingredients, and improper storage.

You will find classic recipes and methods along with appetizers, rubs, sauces, and marinades. Read about David's many successes and some of his failures along the way. 

This is my go-to book along with David's blog whenever I'm preparing to smoke something. You'll find this book easy to read and non-technical. This is a perfect gift idea for not only beginners, but even the most experienced smokers will find useful information in this book.

The Old Fat Guy's Guide to Smoking Meat for BeginnersThe Old Fat Guy's Guide to Smoking Meat for BeginnersThe Old Fat Guy's Guide to Smoking Meat for Beginners

 

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13 comments:

  1. Sam, this sounds like the perfect book for the beginner who wants a smoker and wants to learn to cook smoked meat. How great to have a beginner's guide for everything from choosing the exact grill/smoker one needs to learning to cook each type of meat in the smoker. BTW, I LOVE the 'Old Fat Guy's Blog and have enjoyed your shared links to David's cooking tips over the years. Delighted to know he has published this helpful book.

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    Replies
    1. It sure is a great book for starting out. I've learned so much from David from this book and his blog. Thanks Pat.

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  2. Thanks for the great review Sam. You really make a person want to go out and buy the book! Happy Grilling!

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    1. Thanks Mary Beth, David's book and his blog have been such a huge help to me.

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  3. Sam, I've always wanted to get a smoker! Unfortunately, we live on a hill, and our backyard is steeply sloped and one level down (most easily accessible through our basement). So, although we've talked for years about trying to create a small stone or tiled area somewhere for our old charcoal kettle grill, we still haven't figured out a place to do that. So, sadly, a smoker will have to wait until we can figure that out (someday, I hope!). My brother-in-law, however, has a large deck and is a "grillmeister," so we might consider getting him a smoker and David's smoker book as a gift. David's recipes and blogs are always mouthwatering! Thanks for the great review.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Margaret, I hope some day you guys can develop an area for a grill. The book makes a perfect gift idea for anyone you loves to grill.

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  4. What a wonderful gift idea! Actually that is two wonderful gift ideas; the smoker & the cookbook. Okay, so showing my very limited grilling knowledge. Is the smoker the little grill on the side and the main larger unit a regular grill? Or, is there really any difference? I have only been introduced to grilling so I don't honestly know the difference in a smoker and a grill.

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    1. The small section is the firebox. This where you would have the wood for the smoke. The large section is where you place the meat. You can also not use the fire box, and grill with charcoal in the large section. So, this is a combination Grill and smoker. I sure hope this answers your question.

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    2. It does! Thank you very much. The grill in the small section made me think you would also put meat there. Thank you for the explanation.

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  5. Okay Sam, now I know what to get my son for his next birthday. Like you, he has taken up cooking and loves to try new things. A smoker is something he has talked about and now I know why. Maybe I'll start with the cookbook and work the family into getting the smoker come springtime. Thanks for the great idea! I'm sure I might even be invited to eat something he's made.

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    1. Both a smoker and David's book would be perfect gift ideas Olivia. I'm sure you son is going to love it.

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  6. Excellent review. This would make a great gift as well. I can think of a few people who would enjoy this cookbook.

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  7. That's a pretty great daughter you have, Sam. I would love to learn more about smoking meats. What a great combo (the book and the smoker). Thanks for pointing the way.

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