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Crock Pot a replacement as a smoker replacement?

Discussion in 'Food & Cooking' started by jgus31, Nov 18, 2010.

  1. Nov 18, 2010 #1
    jgus31

    jgus31

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    I Just Like Food
    I'm looking to make pulled pork this weekend, but living in an apartment building, in the middle of a city doesn't allow me to have a grill or smoker.  When I've made pulled pork in the past, I've used my crock pot and have used different recipes designed specifically for a crock pot.  I'm looking to try something new and have found some great pulled pork recipes that say to cook in a smoker.  Obviously I wouldn't get the taste from the smoke, but otherwise, would I be ok to replace cooking the pork butt in a smoker for 10 hours with cooking it in a crock pot on low heat for 10 hours?
     
  2. Nov 18, 2010 #2
    kyheirloomer

    kyheirloomer

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    The timing in the crock pot will be a little different. Keep in mind that smoking uses dry heat (at very low temperature, btw) and slow cookers are, essentially, braising.

    Other than that, consider a couple of drops of liquid smoke added to the liquid in the pot. Although it won't match, it will simulate the smokiness of making it on the grill.
     
  3. Nov 18, 2010 #3
    educator

    educator

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    Culinary Instructor
    Sure, you can invest in an electric smoker or you can follow these steps in your oven.

    1. Soak wood chips in warm water for a few hours.

    2. Drain the chips and place in a cast iron smoke box.  You can purchase the box at any ACE or hardware store. 

    3. Preheat oven to 500 degrees for 15 minutes.  Turn oven off and turn on broiler.  Place the wood chip box in broiler until the chips ignite; quickly place the lid on the box and place on a sheet pan. Turn broiler off.  Turn oven on to 325 degrees.

    4. Quickly add your pan with the seasoned pork and liquid on the sheet pan.

    5. Completaly cover the sheet pan with a foil tent to keep the smoke under the tent.

    6. Place sheet pan in the oven for 10 hours or until the meat is done. The weight of the meat will determine the time.  

    It seems complicated, but it's not.
     
  4. Nov 19, 2010 #4
    chrislehrer

    chrislehrer

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    Educator ---

    That plan does work, BUT... you had better have a very strong and efficient extractor fan. Otherwise you will soon have the smoke alarms blaring.