TR: An Orion Thanksgiving #2

[RootDKJ]

I'm sure that no one is surprised that I'm also posting an Orion Thanksgiving thread.

So here's my details

Meat: Fresh Ham
Weight: 20.5
Rub: McCormick Pork rub
Wood Chips: Hickory
Liquid in drip pan: None
Liquid in Root: Coffee, heck it was 8AM!

Prep: Not much going on here. I had some left over McCormick pork rub from a previous rib burn and just put it on any non-flesh areas of the ham.

Cook time: 3 hours. It really needed 4 hours. My mother showed up at my house an hour early and wanted to hit the road to get down to my grandparents place. I had to finish the ham in Gramps's oven to hit 160F in the center.

Results: Flavor was amazing, but I thought the ham was a little on the dry side. I don't think anyone in my family really noticed (or knew any better). I would really like to do another fresh ham, but cook it to 195F for pulled pork, but it needs to be much smaller then 20lbs!

Anyway, enjoy the pics!

 

[WoodCore]

Looks very tasty!!

 

[deadheadskier]

20.5 # ham/leg is not HUGE, but pretty darn big. One's I deal with bone in are around 15. You must have hella left ofters.

Curious, you first say you thought it could have gone for 4 hours, but then said it was a little dry? I'm assuming that means had you could have, you would have lowered the temp and let it go an hour longer. How do you control temp like that in smoker?

 

[RootDKJ]

I don't really worry about controlling temp as a convection process helps the cooking along. Most of the moisture generated by the cooking process, stays inside the cooking chamber, which helps maintain the moistness.

It was a little dry because I finished it in my grandfathers oven. When I cook briskets, I add extra liquids into the drip pan.

 

[Johnskiismore]

That looked delicious! I like these post a lot as you are giving me great tips!

 

[RootDKJ]

No prob

 

[drjeff]

There will NOT be a 3rd Orion Thanksgiving TR, as I was a slacker and let my mother cook the bird old school in an oven Definately not a bad thing as the smell of Turkey filled the air the moment I stepped into my parents place

 

[RootDKJ]

Christmas is right around the corner though!

 

[drjeff]

Christmas is right around the corner though!

I'm thinking X-Mas could be a 2 Orion TR as I usually cook for my family X-mas eve and My wife's family X-mas day

 

[Glenn]

As always...nice work Root!