The Next Cook
Budget Q is back again, and this time we are cooking a Rib of Beef.
Modifying the BBQ
After using the BBQ last time I found that the air intake blocked very quickly with ash, so I’ve modified it with a cut down sieve to try and improve matters,
We will be cooking the beef using a two zone system and finishing the beef off on the direct side (called reverse sear).
Cooking the Rib of Beef
Fill the chimney starter with charcoal and light a eco fire underneath and in 15 -20 minutes we will be ready to go.
Meanwhile I am going to setup the BUDGET thermometers. These were purchased from Aldi they retail at £12.99, but I got these on sale for £5.00, YES a fiver each ………. Bargain!
They are a single probe and they can be changed from centigrade to fahrenheit and are wireless. The base unit stays near the BBQ and the readout unit goes anywhere convenient.
I ran one thermometer for the pit temp and the other was monitoring the beef temp. I tested them together because I didn’t think they would side by side but worked very well.
I also prepared a few potatoes and popped in a tray with a bit of olive oil and salt to sit under the Rib of Beef.
When the charcoal is up to temperature carefully pour the coals onto the fire grate. Pop in small piece of your wood of choice – I went cherry.
Don’t get carried away with smoking wood. It’s easy to oversmoke. Less is more guys!
Pop on the cooking grate, insert the pit temperature probe through a screwed up piece of kitchen foil to keep it were it needs to be.
Next put the lid on and watch the pit tempature rise up to 225 / 250 f (107 / 121c).
Control the temp by opening or closing the air dampers on the bottom , leave the exhaust damper on the lid wide open.
When up to temperature open the lid and quickly pop on the meat. Push in the meat probe and quick as you can pop the lid back on making sure the exhaust damper is over the meat (so the smoke flows over the meat).
Now just relax………keep an eye on the temperatures and adjust damper accordingly. If you’re anything like me you can now tidy up the trail of destruction left behind in the kitchen.
Note on temperatures, don’t get stressed or hung up. If it goes up to 275f (135c) even 300f (149c) don’t panic and close the intake damper all the way. It’s just like steering a boat, steer and minutes later it turns ,just make slight adjustments and wait. If it goes down and the vents are wide open pop some more charcoal into your chimney and light, then pop in the BBQ.
When the meat temp reaches 120f (49c) lift off the lid and move the meat over to the hot direct side and brown on all sides until the internal temp is 135f (medium rare) 57c.
Take off the beef, lift the cooking grate and remove the potatoes and serve.
Rest the beef for 10 minutes, which allows the meat to reabsorb the juices. As the chef you need to ensure you get the first slice – just for testing purposes of course.
Enjoy…….
