Recent content by BACyclone
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Smoking Meat Questions and Discussion
ThermoWorks is definitely the "industry standard" but generally you're going to pay a premium for it. I've used the lower-priced ThemoPro line for quite a while, and the price to performance is quite good. I have one much like this in the picture and the range and accuracy is everything I... -
Smoking Meat Questions and Discussion
I pimped the boneless chops above, but my first smoked pork chops were some huge thick Iowa chops I did on a few years ago. I'm telling you it was phenomenal -- 'why didn't I think of this BEFORE' amazing. Now I almost hate doing pork chops any other way, but grilling chops is still pretty... -
Smoking Meat Questions and Discussion
The thing I've found I sometimes don't like about getting breakfast sausage or bratwurst from the locker is that you may not like the seasoning mix they use to make these things. So for the trim I just get everything into ground pork and I make it myself. If you want bratwurst, the easiest is... -
Smoking Meat Questions and Discussion
Loin chops I use BBQ sauce as the binder for rub. Smoke them to ~135ish and re-coat with more BBQ sauce to finish at 145. Make extra so you have a chance at leftovers. Best feature: these are QUICK. You can fit this into your schedule almost any day. -
Smoking Meat Questions and Discussion
Feels like sacrilege to include the belly. Usually I always ask the cut person if they can make the whole thing into bacon, sometimes they laugh. Usually I have to purposely laugh so they know I was joking. We never get the hams and do just have them ground into fresh pork. Loins have to go... -
***College Towns to Visit***
Reminds me, we stopped in Waco once on a non-game-day visit. Maybe during a football game it would be different, but I found no redeeming quality to Waco. -
Smoking Meat Questions and Discussion
Apple is my personal favorite just because the smoke smells AMAZING. But any of the true 'fruit' woods work great for all smoking, especially for pork and chicken which are more sensitive: apple, cherry, pecan. If I do a brisket I'll usually mix in some mesquite or oak if I want to kick up the... -
Smoking Meat Questions and Discussion
We often get a 1/2 hog from a local farmer to go along with a portion of beef from a different farmer -- and this year I've decided I really like pork burgers more than hamburgers. IMO they taste better and any more, pork is cheaper than beef. -
Smoking Meat Questions and Discussion
I think re-heating in a crock pot is totally a fine strategy, but I think once you get that meat warmed up you probably can't leave it in there and serve it like that unless you have a really low 'warm' setting on the crock pot that you can trust will not keep cooking the meat. Otherwise, just... -
Downtown Des Moines lunch options
I'd vote for Lua also if a brew can be part of your plan. I was just looking at a map and, I haven't tried it, but Abu Sama's brother's restaurant is open now - Palms. Great reviews. You will always get great food at the Iowa Taproom, and fast. Same thing at el Bait Shop. -
Casey’s Sucks
The only reasons I still visit a Casey's: 1) Sometimes the only game in town and I live in a small town 2) Pizza by the slice is still worth it, Breakfast pizza still the industry standard There is no doubt some Casey's stores are better than others. The couple I have around me are okay, but...- BACyclone
- Post #92
- Forum: General Discussion
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RECRUITING: Jett Thomalla (4-star QB 2026 commit) flips to Alabama
I'll just say that I assume we are not burning the bridge with Jett. While we have generally recruited the QB position pretty well, there's still a chance Jett is a Cyclone QB some time in the future. Who knows! Onward and forward. The coaching staff is still putting together a class they... -
Smoking Meat Questions and Discussion
For smoking just about any large piece of meat, this is my go-to strategy for any occasion, even if it's a supper time engagement. With the chance a varying smoke times, I don't want to be apologizing to guests (or even just my own family) when the cook is taking longer and then I am thinking... -
DL Brysen Wessell Commits
It looks like he plays LT and DE for his HS team. Both look pretty good for him as I watch just a little bit of film. Really moves well. -
Brewery Discoveries on Vacation
I've never been to either place, but I was just looking at their pictures and presence on the Google Maps after the discussion here and Rock Cut looks legit. EPB might deliver on the good food but I'm suspicious on the beer, if I'm judging by looks alone.