New found respect for the Smokey Joe

mcgolden · July 29, 2014, 07:38:36 PM

So I was on Craigslist last month, searching as I always to for that incredible find that never seems to be found, when I came across a black (of course, because that's all I have) Smokey Joe for only $5. It looked like it had only been used once or twice. So my Weberitis kicked in and I decided why not pick it up. I had only cooked on a Smokey Joe once before while at my parents place in Florida. I was just cooking some burgers and used Kingsford Match-light. I know, I hate Match-lite but that's all I had available. Needless to say, I wasn't too impressed.

Flash to today when I decided to give my current Smokey Joe a try at something a little more interesting.

And no, it didn't come with that beautiful wood handle. It's one of Brian's creations.

Anyway, I'm going camping soon and I wanted to see what this little guy was capable of. After work I picked up a little pork tenderloin (about 2lbs I think) and seasoned it with some Weber garlic and herb spice. I set up the Joe with a small Weber grease tray, packed lit coals all around it, added some soaked peach wood chips and I was of to the races.

I was shocked. This thing held steady at around 300 degrees until the meat was done after a little less than an hour and half. I'm sure I could have closed the vents down and cooked lower, but I wasn't really looking for a slow cook. Just some smokey goodness. This was the result.

It was incredibly moist and juicy and check out the smoke ring.

My wife and kids are typically fairly picky eaters but they all loved it. Long story long

, I'm impressed. Going to have to see what else I can do on the little guy.

pbe gummi bear · July 29, 2014, 08:01:38 PM

Nice post buddy. Remember it's the cool, not the cooker!

Heyjude · July 29, 2014, 08:04:02 PM

If you don't have one, I highly recommend a tamale pot conversion... You can cook tons with 2 grates.
It won't take up any more space on the trip if you fill it with other stuff..

argentflame · July 29, 2014, 08:30:46 PM

Great cook. Looks really good.

1buckie · July 29, 2014, 10:41:01 PM

Nailed that one just right.....................hyper-juicy !!!!

mcgolden · July 30, 2014, 04:34:42 AM

HeyJude,

Probably wouldn't need the tamale pot on travel and definitely wouldn't need it at home with the other grills in the arsenal. But I could definitely see the value of having one if you wanted to expand this little guy.

Heyjude · July 30, 2014, 06:19:50 AM

Quote from: mcgolden on July 30, 2014, 04:34:42 AM
HeyJude,

Probably wouldn't need the tamale pot on travel and definitely wouldn't need it at home with the other grills in the arsenal. But I could definitely see the value of having one if you wanted to expand this little guy.

If I had to have one Kettle and lived in a small space or traveled a lot, it would be an SJ and tamale pot conversion.. They work great!

1911Ron · July 30, 2014, 06:28:06 AM

They work pretty good don't they? That looks so good.

Idahawk · July 30, 2014, 07:33:33 AM

Size doesn't matter ?

1buckie · July 30, 2014, 08:35:30 AM

the tamale pot idea is fine, but check into this first.....

http://weberkettleclub.com/forums/grilling-bbqing/really-need-to-see-this/

mcgolden · July 30, 2014, 10:13:42 AM

I had already seen this post which is kind of what inspired me to try the pork tenderloin on the Smokey Joe. But the tamale pot definitely would give a lot more real estate for cooking. Even if you're using just one grate, the ability to raise it up and get a heat deflector in between the charcoal and the grate would allow you to use the entire grate rather than just a small portion. But for me, if I need the extra space, I'll use one of my other cookers. It might even inspire me to actually fire this guy up.

(Un-used Smokey Joe Platinum 18") Aint she perty?

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New found respect for the Smokey Joe