Another try at tri-tip (with lighter fluid instead of a chimney!)

[brentwoodkris]

So I finally got past my mental block (of hating lighter fluid) and when I picked up a tri-tip at Sam's club today, I picked up the two-pack of huge KF lighter fluid bottles. I have been having problems getting the PBC to heat up and keep temperature using a chimney, so at the brother-in-law's insistence, I did lighter fluid this time. I'm happy to say I was wrong and the cook turned out great!

I did about 3/4 of a basket of coal and hit it with a healthy dose of lighter fluid and left her to sit for 20 minutes inside the barrel with the lid off. Flames looked good on the coals after the 20 minutes. The cook started on a 2.33lb tri-tip (which I actually trimmed this time to reduce some of the left-over fat from the butcher (not too much, but enough that I wanted to trim it up). Ambient temperature outside was 24F. I oiled and rubbed down the meat with the PBC Beef and Game rub and left it out for about 45 min. I also added a handful of Jack Daniel's Charred Oak Barrel Chips. Total cook time from initial meat temperature of 57F and PBC temperature of 467F was 31 minutes (to a final meat temp of 139F). I let the lid vent 1/4 way for the last 5 minutes of the cook to try and get a "bark" going (it seemed to work a bit - though I'll do 10 min next time). I then wrapped the tip in foil to rest for 10 minutes and the meat came out PERFECT! Pix below:

After the rub down:


It looks like a Chipotle burrito!:


Unwrapped from its brief 10 minute rest:


Cut up and ready to be eaten:

[smokeasaurus]

Dude, absolutely perfect Tri-Tip 

I will not let charcoal fluid or charcoal near by stick burner, but I have been using it with my PBC with solid results everytime. Just gotta let it burn off for 20 minutes like ya did 

[drholly]

Nice looking tri-tip looks like you nailed it.

I use KB and Kingsford fluid every time I fire up my PBC - full load of charcoal in the basket - let it go 20 minutes per the instructions. Never had a problem and no fluid taste. Dead easy for me.

Now I just want to make a tri-tip like yours! Thanks for sharing.

[sliding_billy]

Lighter fluid or not, that is a beautiful piece of beef.

[HighOnSmoke]

Fantastic looking tri tip!

[muebe]

There are members who have the charcoal chimney process down to a science to use with their PBC.

I always suggest you start cooking with the lighter fluid method because there is less of a learning curve and it can be frustrating when you spend money on a new cooker and don't get the results you expect.

With that being said your tri-tip looks outstanding!

[ACW3]

Looks fantastic! In the case of my PBC, I subscribe to the KISS Principal and use the KB and Kingsford fluid.  Works every time.

Art

[Hub]

I've said it before and I'll say it again.  Lighting charcoal with a good quality of starter fluid, the correct way, is a perfectly fine way to start a charcoal fire.  I've always lit my PBC that way, using either Kingsford or Gulf fluid.  I put on enough to give all exposed briquettes a medium shower the light them immediately.  I let all active flames die out before cooking (Noah's admonition of 20 minutes works well).  And, I've never had any trace of "lighter fluid flavor" or an incomplete burn.

Your tri tip looks fantastic 

Hub

[TwoPockets]

I have got to try a tri-tip. They are very hard to find down here and the last one I found was already smothered in Bad Byrons. I have also found that lighter fluid is fine when you let your coals get fully lit and the flames have burned down. I think most people put their meat on too fast and that is where the off taste comes from.

[Wingman]

That last picture did it for me.  Outstanding.

[brentwoodkris]

I'm just glad I finally got essentially the exact results I wanted, and it was with lighter fluid. I'll probably be sticking to the lighter fluid method on the PBC (at least for the foreseeable future). I did have an excuse to buy one of those nice Weber chimneys though, and they're no joke. I'll just use it for when I'm grilling steaks, burgers, or brats on the Brinkmann 

[teesquare]

The results speak for themselves! And - the most important part is that you found a method that works for you

Nice job on the 3-T

[Pappymn]

Pow! That looks awesome

[TentHunteR]

Great looking steak.


I don't cook with charcoal near as often as I used to, but when I do I'll continue using my chimney.  I can't stand the smell of lighter fluid.  I have a really sensitive sense of smell and can smell it no matter how long it burns. But that's me.

[brentwoodkris]

Great looking steak.


I don't cook with charcoal near as often as I used to, but when I do I'll continue using my chimney.  I can't stand the smell of lighter fluid.  I have a really sensitive sense of smell and can smell it no matter how long it burns. But that's me.

For me, I actually let the fluid burn off for closer to 25 minutes, and I'm pretty sensitive to the taste of lighter fluid. I didn't even sense a hint of it after letting it burn off for that long and I'm looking forward to eating some leftovers in a sandwich for lunch in a few short hours!