With fishing opportunity a bit reduced due to the early closure of blackmouth in the puget sound and steelhead fishing being somewhat weather dependent, I’ve had more time to play with my new Traeger Pro Series 575.
My Traeger Pro Series 575
I’ve had a custom welded smoker for years that I’ve worked with along with a propane BBQ grill that I’ve been able to do most of my grilling and smoking with.
My propane grill is starting to fall apart and I much prefer the taste imparted from charcoal or wood smoke, so I started looking into one of these new fangled pellet grills.
Now…I will admit, that I’ve been a bit of a snob (hater?) when it comes to smoking meats and controlling smoker temperature from a smartphone app. I was like “Real men use manual smokers!”
Well, this is sort of embarrassing to admit, but I love how easy it is to smoke meat with my new Traeger!
Here’s the thing, because it’s so easy and convenient, I do more of it. Instead of a big production to smoke a brisket or pork belly, it’s a piece of cake! And now I use it to cook all kinds of stuff and we use it just to grill beyond just smoking and it’s freakin’ awesome!
If you guys are into this type of stuff, I can do more blog posts and articles on what I’m doing and learning, but I wanted to share a bit about it and see how it goes. Not all of this is unique to the PNW, but I will get into some stuff that is as well.
Actually, let’s hit that right now. If you’ve never had alder smoked spot shrimp…I’m not sure there’s any meat I’ve smoked which more takes on the flavor of the wood than shrimp. And when you combine alder smoked flavor with the wonderful texture of spot shrimp. I’m getting hungry just thinking about it!
Why the Treager Pro Series 575?
So I did a bit of research…I knew I wanted a Traeger as this has been the flagship pellet smoker brand for the last several years, but I also wanted to be budget-conscious and get one big enough to smoke most of what I like to smoke. The 575 is just big enough to smoke a brisket with, which is the biggest thing I smoke.
In terms of shopping for a discount with Traeger pellet grills, you basically get the same price everywhere. As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases through these links, but the price you pay is the same regardless, so please support my blog by using these links. Thanks!
Traeger Smoked Pork Belly
One of my favorite things to smoke lately has been pork belly. There are lots of ways to smoke a pork belly in terms of recipes, but I like to keep things simple, Texas style, and go with a salt/pepper rub.
I don’t brine it long in rub at all. One time I did the brine for 48 hours and it was way too salty.
Another key thing with smoking pork belly that sometimes isn’t clear around the internet, is getting it up to 195-203 internal temperature. Not all the fat will render if you take it off at 175 like some recipes say to do. It’s just better this way.
I like to start it at 200-225 and increase the smoking temperature to 250 and finally 275 in the final hour. It takes about 4 hours on my Traeger.
I then wrap it with this stuff, followed by aluminum foil, and let it sit in the oven/microwave (don’t turn it on!), for 45-60 minutes.
If you don’t have this slicer or something equivalent for cutting brisket, pork belly, and the like, you are missing out! This knife is flat awesome!
In terms of wood types, I’ve used cherry, apple and hickory. I think I like hickory the best though.
Other smoked or cooked meats with my Traeger
We got these amazing pork chops from some friends who raise their own pigs, smoked with oak pellets, simply amazing!
Also, smoked with oak pellets, this tomahawk steak turned out to be one of the best steaks I’ve ever eaten! And due to my prior life in big tech, I’ve been wined and dined at some pretty amazing steakhouses, so I know whereof I speak!
And of course, I cannot finish talking about cooking/smoking meats without mentioning salmon a staple (over-consumed?) food at my house.
Cooked low and slow with a bit of fat and salt with alder pellets and you’ve got some of the best grilled salmon you’ve tasted.
Head over to this page for more on cooking or smoking salmon: Best way to cook salmon and Smoked Salmon Recipe.
Drop me a comment if you want me to share more on smoked / grilling meats. Thanks!