I Can Smoke Like A Pro

What I look forward to the most on the 4th of July are the cookouts with friends. And for those people that may be attending a cookout with me this year, they should be looking forward to it too, because I’ll be bringing pulled pork. More specifically, pulled pork that I have made myself. This pork you see in the photo above? I made it. And it was awesome. Yep, I’m bragging.

A few weeks ago, Carey Bringle, the owner of Peg Leg Porker BBQ Products, contacted me and asked if I would like to try out his Smoke Like a Pro at home BBQ kit. My response? Sure, if it comes with a “BBQ for Dummies” handbook! Well, it turns out the detailed instructions included are so very simple that even this novice griller and first-time meat smoker was able to handle the process with ease.

The kit has almost everything you need with the exception of juices to make the brine and the pork itself. A quick trip to the grocery for these items and I was set. At first I had planned to have my husband help- because, you know, in my mind smoking meat is a manly thing, and I wasn’t sure I could handle it alone. But my honey is not a morning person, and the process needed to begin early in the morning. To be done correctly, the pork must cook low and slow, which means a grill time of at least 12 hours. Since I wanted it for dinner that night, a 6 a.m. start time was necessary. So being the very wonderful wife that I am, hubby was allowed to sleep in, and I conquered this project on my own. And conquer I did.

The pork butt when it went on the grill at 7 a.m.

The pork butt coming off the grill at 7:30 p.m.

I really couldn’t believe how easy it was and, even better, how fantastic the meat turned out!

Me pulling the pork

Although it’s a little too late for you to buy one of these kits to use for this holiday weekend, I highly recommend you buy one for future use. There are plenty of summer cookout opportunities still ahead, as well as football tailgating in the not-so-distant future. And don’t just get one for yourself, buy some to use as gifts for your dad, your boyfriend, or anyone in your life that prides themself in being a master of the grill. I guarantee they will love it! Heck, I love it, and I’m about as far from being a grill master as you can get!

The cost of the kit is only $39.95, and there are enough ingredients included to smoke four (5-9 lb) pork butts or two (12-18 lb) pork shoulders. Oh, and there’s also a kit for chicken if you’re not a fan of the pig. To purchase or learn more, visit Smoke Like a Pro.

Have a happy and safe 4th of July and try not to be too jealous of the porky goodness I’ll be gobbling up!