MikeUSMC: "Bury Me in Smoke"

Ok, I started with a Jim Beam barrel on Craigslist for $100



Sanded it down with a wire wheel on an angle grinder on the bands.
80 grit, then 120 grit, then 150 grit sandpaper "flapper" wheel on the oak
Cleaned it up nice


5/8" self tapping stainless screws (predrilled pilot holes) in every stave to hold the bands up, and to stop the barrel from falling apart when I cut the top off. This took FOREVER


Off comes the top, out comes the loose char. Smelled like smoky bourbony awesomeness


Little 14" Weber "Smokey Joe" for the bottom. I drilled a ton more holes in this for better airflow, and altered the legs a little so it would sit lower




Access door to refill water pan/charcoal




Four 3/4" threaded pipe air vents w/ caps to control the airflow. High-temp, food grade caulk in each stave joint



Somewhere along the way, after all the hardware was on (holes drilled), I was ready for paint. I love the textured look of this stuff. (Spray paint) "Forged Hammered Antique Pewter"



A coat of stain, and BOOM!

'MERICA.









Boss, let me know if you want me to delete any of the double posted pics. I'm not looking to get in trouble here

 

[MikeUSMC]

That's some good looking Q there, Mike!

Thanks, bud! Yours (w/ the pineapple) looked much better than mine though, lol! Laziness got the best of me

 

[NeedsWork]

Ham came out freakin' amazing though! Super moist and juicy, with a maple, brown sugar, Dijon mustard glaze

 
Ooooo that color looks awesome     nicely done!
 
That space rock looks like money too.  I bet all of your neighbors are perpetually hungry.  

 

[MikeUSMC]

https://youtu.be/LqH2P2V1gpE

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

I've made this recipe about a dozen times, and I've honestly never had better pork tacos. EVER. Malcom Reed absolutely nailed it. I highly, HIGHLY recommend making this recipe!

Going to a party at my buddy's house later on today, and everyone begged me to make this again (I made it last year too). 30lbs of meat, hahaha! Two 9lb pork shoulders, and two 6lb whole chickens

(this pic is from last year. I was too lazy to stack everything for a photo shoot again this time, lol)

The rub down

Marinated overnight in OJ with oranges, limes, onions, garlic, (canned) chipotles, etc.

Final coats of spices and rubs. Salt, pepper, garlic, Ancho and chipotle powder, cumin, and a little cinnamon

Put the pork on the smoker (275*) at 5am. Gonna throw the chicken on around noon. I'll try to get some plated pics later, but no promises Like I said, I'm bringing this to somebody else's house. It was hectic last year, and I was cocked by then

I'll try to remember to post some pics once I start the braising process

 

[MikeUSMC]

4 hour mark

Just put it in the OJ and tomato juice braising liquid now. Added more fresh oranges, limes, onions and garlic

Wrapped in foil, back on the smoker

I can't even put into words how good this smells!

 

[Muckyai]

Holy schmoley. What's one got to do to get invited to this shin dig?!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Tapatalk

 

[Thegreenchilemonster]

That looks amazing, Mike!

 

[Rajun Gardener]

Looks good Mike!!
 
How's that sauce Malcom made in that video? I might try that today.

 

[MikeUSMC]

Looks good Mike!!
 
How's that sauce Malcom made in that video? I might try that today.

Thanks!

It's just sour cream mixed with some minced chipotles in adobo sauce and a splash of lime juice. It's really, really good!

 

[t0mato]

Mercy! That puts my BBQ to shame!

 

[MikeUSMC]

Mercy! That puts my BBQ to shame!

Haha! Dude, it's such a simple recipe (watch the video!)

I think it's probably just all the bright colors of the fruit that makes it look all "Portland Hoity Toity"

 

[MikeUSMC]

 

[MikeUSMC]

 

[MikeUSMC]

Just hammered down 6 of these, haha! Sooooo damn good!
Tortilla, guac, pork, pico, fresh minced habs, queso fresco, chipotle sour cream, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime! BOOM

 

[MikeUSMC]

Great spread here too!

I had like 4 churros

 

[Rajun Gardener]

What a spread!!!          
I like that chipolte sour cream thing, it was a hit here too!
 
You need a new lime slicer

 

[Thegreenchilemonster]

My goodness Mike, that looks amazing!

 

[Chorizo857_62J]

Man, I need a nap just for looking at all that food.  Well done!

 

[WarrantMan]

Dang, I need to hang out with Iron Mike for a while. Watch, listen and learn....  

 

[The Hot Pepper]

You need a new lime slicer

 
I saw those things too.

 

[MikeUSMC]

Wow, thanks for the compliments, everybody!
And, for the record, I didn't slice those limes

Dang, I need to hang out with Iron Mike for a while. Watch, listen and learn....  

Stick with me, kid

Reggie, you have a place to stay here any time you're in the area, bud!

Nah, in all seriousness, almost everything I know about good BBQ, I learned from watching Malcom Reed. His videos and recipes are always great. I should also mention that I should thank the member "Downriver" for pointing me to Malcom's channel. Forever indebted to you, Rick!