Smoked Meatloaf test tomorrow....

SmokeHound · Posted: Sep 17 2009 Post subject: Smoked Meatloaf test tomorrow....

I'm bored outta my skull and haven't smoked anything since Labor Day (having withdrawals). Then it occurred to me (how convenient!) that I haven't smoked a meatloaf yet!! Sad but true....

So...that's what I'm going to experiment with tomorrow afternoon..... I'll post "the proof" after the cook.... Wish me luck.........
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SoEzzy · Posted: Sep 17 2009 Post subject:

I like to make mine and foil line a bread pan, put the meat loaf into the foil and press it down tightly, I then wrap the foil over the top and chill in the fridge overnight or for at least 3 - 4 hours.

When I put it in the smoker, I lift the foil wrapped meatloaf out of the pan, and open the foil to allow smoke to the top, sides, and ends, after 45 minutes I roll the meatloaf over on the foil and allow the smoke and heat to access the bottom of the loaf.

I cook it to an internal temperature of at least 165 F, and lift it back into the pan for resting and transportation!

JM2C, YMMV, MDN! Wink

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MountainMan · Posted: Sep 17 2009 Post subject:

I finally got my round tuit out and I wrapped a meatloaf in a frog mat and tossed it in my FEC at 250 for about 3 hours.

If you have not done this you owe it to your self to give it a try it's really quite wonderful.

I did a real simple batch of:
2 lbs. ground beef
1 lb. ground pork
1/2 cup panko
1 egg
1 cup milk
1 medium onion, finely chopped
4 garlic, finely chopped
2 Tbsp mustard
3 Tbsp. ketchup
Salt & Pepper

About 10 to 20 minutes before it was finished I glazed it with:
3 Tbsp Brown sugar
1 Tbsp mustard
3 Tbsp. ketchup

Finished and allowed to rest 10 minutes........

OH YEA Razz

day_trippr · Posted: Sep 17 2009 Post subject:

"frog mat"?

Cheers
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Hell Fire Grill · Posted: Sep 17 2009 Post subject:

Frogmats

http://www.frogmats.com/

SmokeHound · Posted: Sep 17 2009 Post subject:

We need a glossary.... Wink

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day_trippr · Posted: Sep 17 2009 Post subject:

Que-West · BBQ Fan Joined: 24 Jul 2008 Posts: 113 Location: Tulsa, OK

1/4" mesh stainless or aluminum screen, can be welded or not (welded is much more expensive), and the wires may be crimped or not where they intersect (crimped is much more stable). We use this type of thing all the time for insect/bird screens on ductwork air intakes. Matter of fact, I used some to make my charcoal basket for my UDS.

I think I'll grab some more drop pieces to use like this Very Happy

Rojellio Es Caliente · Posted: Sep 18 2009 Post subject:

My first Meatloaf on the Treager was a cracker crumb type loaf, essentially baked at 350'ish temps, in a loaf pan. It would have been better at smoke temps, like 225.

I grew up on meatloaf made with Quaker 'Instant' Rolled Oats. The 5 meatloaf's I have done since were oatmeal style loafs, which seem to hold together better. The other difference from my early attempt is smoking temps of 225, and a bacon weave wrapping. My meatloaf's hold together just fine without gadgetry & gizmos.

Perhaps the bacon weave is a novelty in my favor... but I have had several people who weren't all the excited about meatloaf convert to Meatloaf lovers.. { so long as I prepare the meatloaf }
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SmokeHound · Posted: Sep 18 2009 Post subject:

Well.....below are the pics from my first smoked meatloaf.... Overall, I�m relatively happy with this first try but it needs �tweaking�. It was moist enough and had the right amount of smoke (thank you Ringers!) but it needed more salt and a few other minor �nips and tucks�.....

I am now on a mission!!!

I�ll tweak my recipe a bit to get it exactly the way I want it � and once it�s �presentable�, I�ll share the recipe with y�all along with the most recent pics.... Thanks SO MUCH to those of you who gave me tips and hints....your comments helped a TON! I can definitely see why folks say �once you�ve had one smoked, you won�t go back....� .

Made a 1.5 pound ML, topped it w/ bacon and on the smoker it went:

Smoked it at 230-250 for just under 2 hours (minion method on my stick burner):

Here it is sliced....

Cheers!
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Kosmos Q · Posted: Sep 18 2009 Post subject:

Get ready for some dang fine Q. You will be hooked first time on the meatloaf.
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Rojellio Es Caliente · Posted: Sep 19 2009 Post subject:

That looks good for a first attempt. Holding together is half the battle.... things could have gone very badly.

Presentation wise, you cant go wrong with a bacon weave.

I have done 7x7 which is a bit of a stretch, but found that 6x6 and/or a smaller loaf works best. BUT... it sort of depends on the bacon. I often "nuke it for 30 seconds to warm it up, warm bacon stretches better than cold bacon. You want the loose side of the wrap to just touch sort of a clean seam, rather than having a wide un-baconed gap.... or too wide for the "waistband" so to speak. I orient it loose side down. The bacon weave seems to hold it in a loaf shape quite well.

The basket weave takes a bit of doing, but its not terribly difficult. Lay down 6 strips of bacon, side by side vertically. Flip every other strip up, lay down the horizontal strip, flip/lay down all the vertical strips to lay down flat, then flip up the next set of vertical strips, lay down a horizontal strip.. and so forth until you have a basket weave.

The weave looks awesome, and if the slices are one bacon strip wide.. the presentation factor is that much prettier. With a perfect size loaf, where the bacon seam fuly covers/ slightly overlaps.. the bacon width slices aren't too big meatloaf wise.
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CrazyChef · Posted: Sep 19 2009 Post subject:

Just use a binder (such as egg) to keep it from crumbling.
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Rojellio Es Caliente · Posted: Sep 19 2009 Post subject:

Wreckless · Posted: Sep 22 2009 Post subject:

Whoever heard of smoking meatloaf? That is either going to be damn good or very strange. when you start smoking your post toasties you may need a 12 step program. Good luck.

SmokeHound · Posted: Sep 22 2009 Post subject:

Wreckless · Posted: Sep 22 2009 Post subject:

k.a.m. · Posted: Sep 22 2009 Post subject:

SmokeHound, that meat loaf looks awesome Very Happy

I can see a slice of that between some homemade bread and game on, or plated up with some mashed taters and fresh peas. Heck I could go on and on Very Happy

Nicely done Smile

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jeepdad · Posted: Oct 28 2009 Post subject:

Smokehound, I will be trying my first ML this week. Did you do some tweaking to your recipe? I'm looking for a recipe to try. Thanks

--jeepdad