Flagship 1100 Smoked strip taste like a hot dog

[SmokeANDhope]

I just got my flagship 1100 and decided to essentially reverse sear a strip steak yesterday. I used bear mountain gourmet blend. I smoked it at 200 until internal at 110 and seared it on a hot weber grill to finish.

The flavor was hammy. Ultimately the question is what pellets should I be using for more of a texas style bbq? Mesquite?

If i mix in charcoal pellets with the bear mountain gourmet blend, will that lighten the hammy flavor if i were to follow the same routine? Honestly if I'm not eating bacon or pork, I'm not terribly interested with that flavor smoke.

 

[Jim6820]

Welcome aboard, @SmokeANDhope; glad to have you join us here. There are lots of experienced cooks on this forum, and some just old cooks like me.

As for the “hammy” flavor of the strip steak, I’m not sure the pellet type can make that much difference in the flavor profile to turn beef strip steak “hammy.” I have to wonder if you didn’t just get an off-flavor piece of beef. I would also wonder more about whatever seasoning you used on the strip steak.

That said, Mesquite, Hickory, Pecan and Oak (in that order AFAIAC) will give you a bolder smoke flavor. I choose not to use blended pellets whenever possible as I don’t think the flavor profile in them is consistent. For most cooks, I use Hickory as I find Mesquite adds just a slight bitterness IMO. It is, however, a very traditional Texas smoking wood.

 

[SmokeANDhope]

Welcome aboard, @SmokeANDhope; glad to have you join us here. There are lots of experienced cooks on this forum, and some just old cooks like me.

As for the “hammy” flavor of the strip steak, I’m not sure the pellet type can make that much difference in the flavor profile to turn beef strip steak “hammy.” I have to wonder if you didn’t just get an off-flavor piece of beef. I would also wonder more about whatever seasoning you used on the strip steak.

That said, Mesquite, Hickory, Pecan and Oak (in that order AFAIAC) will give you a bolder smoke flavor. I choose not to use blended pellets whenever possible as I don’t think the flavor profile in them is consistent. For most cooks, I use Hickory as I find Mesquite adds just a slight bitterness IMO. It is, however, a very traditional Texas smoking wood.

Thank you for the response. The steak was marinated with some sliced shallot, garlic, and fresh thyme and only seasoned with salt and pepper.

I may fire one up tomorrow on the weber and see the difference. I don't believe the cut was bad.

 

[Jim6820]

The steak was marinated with some sliced shallot, garlic, and fresh thyme and only seasoned with salt and pepper.

When you say “marinated,” was there also a liquid component? When I think of a marinade, I think of something liquid—though, that may just be me. Just curious. I’m wondering if the fresh Thyme may have been the flavor profile that created the off taste. It can be pretty strong at times.

 

[SmokeOCD]

You cured your meat(marinated )then low smoked it, just like a hotdog. Onion and garlic are top hotdog spices, so it reminds you of that. Season the next one right before grilling for a different experience.

 

[C. Keeper]

I just got my flagship 1100 and decided to essentially reverse sear a strip steak yesterday. I used bear mountain gourmet blend. I smoked it at 200 until internal at 110 and seared it on a hot weber grill to finish.

The flavor was hammy. Ultimately the question is what pellets should I be using for more of a texas style bbq? Mesquite?

If i mix in charcoal pellets with the bear mountain gourmet blend, will that lighten the hammy flavor if i were to follow the same routine? Honestly if I'm not eating bacon or pork, I'm not terribly interested with that flavor smoke.

At current price of hot dogs, this is genius!

 

[SiDziner]

I reverse sear ribeyes on my 1100. salt/pepper, smoke at 200 until IT reaches 110-115, then sear on my weber gasser. i have used several different pellets, including costco and sam's blends. I don't get a "hammy" flavor, but i have noticed a slight difference in flavor profiles using different pellets. so SmokeOCD may be right that the "hammy" flavor comes from how you seasoned it.

 

[Mannydog]

If anyone figures out how make hot dogs taste like steak, let me know.

 

[SmokeOCD]

If anyone figures out how make hot dogs taste like steak, let me know.

View attachment 23130

Tomato, cucumber, onion, celery salt and mustard. Every now and then I prefer it to a steak. Wrap the dog in bacon for extra points.