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View Full Version : Smoking: general questions



Mr. 16 gauge
12-14-2002, 03:48 PM
Thinking about getting one of those "little chief" type smokers. I know I have a lot of reading to do before I start, but can anyone tell me off hand if I can smoke frozen meat and fish (after it has been thawed, of course), or does it have to be fresh?



DANN09
12-14-2002, 04:05 PM
I often smoke fish and meat that has been and is frozen. Take it from the freezer and put it right in the brine. Just and a couple hours to the brine time. I think Santa is bringing me a new front load elec smoker for Christmass.
Salmonsmoker
12-24-2002, 07:34 AM
Certainly smoking meat that has been frozen works very well. Most of the venison that I smoke comes from the freezer. Just make sure that there is no freezer burn on the meat (frost-free freezers are prone to freezer burn.) Also, how the meat is frozen has a lot to do with its usability. When meat freezes very quickly (flash frozen) the ice crystals have little time to enlarge. When meat is frozen slowly (like when you put a whole deer in the freezer at one time) the ice crystals tend to get very large. This can make some meats very mushy when thawed.

Once thawed, the brining and smoking process will be the same as when using fresh meat. Generally, Salmon and other fish are better (for smoking) when fresh because the meat is firmer.
ringnecker
12-24-2002, 07:54 AM
The little chief smoker is a great one to start with. I used on for about three years. I know use a brinkman. As far meat just make sure the meat is thawed before you put it into the brine. this will give you a chance to look the meat over for any bad spots.

If you would like PM me and I will give you a good brine that you can use...
Salmonsmoker
12-31-2002, 07:02 AM
Ringnecker,

Any chance you could post some of your recipies here?
ringnecker
12-31-2002, 07:07 AM
Yes, I will post some of my recipies here after the 6th of Jan. I will dig up some good ones that I hope you will enjoy.......
Hunter333
01-02-2003, 06:46 PM
I used my dad's Lil Chief that was 20 years old and it was great! I then got a new one for Christmas 2 years ago and love it! I like to freeze the meat in the marinade as the freezing makes the pores expand and suck up the marinade. After I thaw it, it goes in the smoker. Good luck and have fun!!