Smokin' in the Rain

Bear here.... Last weekend I had a good idea, and bad timing. I am a grill guy, I usually don't have the time or patience for BBQ. I have done some briskets and I was in the mood to try barbecuing venison. I thawed a venison shoulder for smoking/ BBQ. The shoulder was about 10 lbs. so would take around 8 to 10 hours, and I started around noon. (First mistake.) I decided to use bonfire wood to cook in my grill for better smoke and heat control. Did you know it takes around 1 1/2 hrs. to get coals? I relearned that fact. I also started with lump charcoal so I wouldn't be cooking in the dark.

The forecast on Thursday was for warm, muggy  weather on Saturday, no problem. (Second mistake, I should have looked Saturday morning and realized STORMS were coming to an area near me!) Everything was set up and rolling, I put the venison on the grill and before I could close the lid I heard thunder.  

... I can do this. Here are some pictures and commentary for that day.

Remember when I said I was a grill guy? This is my old grill rigged to smoke.

Here is our fire pit. I carried the coals I needed with a shovel to the grill.

Wasn't sure what I needed so I soaked most of my wood chunks and left them in the water until needed.

This is Ivy sayen "Dude, Get the meat on the fire already, I'm hungry."

This is when I heard the thunder.

We be smoken'. Light rain isn't going to stop me! (I think I hear laughter from the catio.)

This is when the tornado warning siren went off for our town. Only severe thunder storms, I'll be fine!

No problem. no heavy rain yet. 

Oh crap, heavy rain. Time to cover the pit and hope it doesn't last long.

Can you tell which side is 350 degrees and which is at 225?

Back at it. Smoked for 3 hours.

Time to add some liquids, wrap the meat and cook it low and slow until done. (Good thing I checked three hours later, the temp was 185.)

Hoping it is done right. Always best to have a pan to catch liquids, the foil almost always leaks.

Since some of the meat seemed dry I kept the braising liquids and put the meat in them after chopping it.

Overall... it was an interesting day and the meat turned out OK. It made great sandwiches. Soon I will be doing this again.

Type at ya later..