Update: That time my smoker broke right before a big cook

My old offset gave out on a Thursday, the day before I had 80 pounds of pork shoulder booked for a local church event. I had to borrow a friend's pellet grill, which I've always thought was cheating. The cook took 14 hours instead of my usual 10, and the bark was softer than I like. Honestly, the crowd loved it, but I could tell the difference. Has anyone else had to make a last-minute switch and been the only one who noticed the results weren't quite right?

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the_riley6mo ago

My buddy's wedding had me using a gas grill for brisket once. I still see the lack of smoke ring in my dreams.

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the_lee6mo ago

Oh man @the_riley, that's a special kind of pain. Did you try the old wood chip packet trick? You can make a foil pouch with soaked wood chips and poke holes in it, then set it right over the burner. It won't fix everything, but it'll get you some smoke flavor and a faint ring. The real key is keeping the temp super low and steady, which is the hardest part on a gas grill. Honestly, it's a miracle you pulled off a wedding brisket at all on one.

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