What to put in the smoker this weekend?

[BladesNBarrels]

What wood used? Cherry really sets off the flavor, or an apple with hint of hickory, depending on taste Enjoy

Will try the cherry next time.
My wife thought the lamb was not quite as good as in the past.
Not sure why, other than a different source of the lamb or I froze it for about 3 weeks.

[Great-Kazoo]

Will try the cherry next time.
My wife thought the lamb was not quite as good as in the past.
Not sure why, other than a different source of the lamb or I froze it for about 3 weeks.

We have lamb in the freezer from 8-9 months ago. Locally raised lamb?

[BladesNBarrels]

We have lamb in the freezer from 8-9 months ago. Locally raised lamb?

Costco boneless leg of lamb.
Cut it in half and froze one of the halfs.
The first half met with her delight.
The second half about 3 weeks later, not so much.

[Great-Kazoo]

Costco boneless leg of lamb.
Cut it in half and froze one of the halfs.
The first half met with her delight.
The second half about 3 weeks later, not so much.

Nothing personal but that packaged lamb is crap. You're using a product that was slaughtered and processed on the 1st of the month, in NZ or Australia. Packaged on who knows what day after butchered, then vacuum sealed, loaded on a truck. Shipped to the US then sent to retail outlets.
So from actual slaughter time to you cooking it can be a month or more, easy.

Find someone local who raises lamb, or call a few packing places. This gives you a locally sourced product that was slaughtered then delivered to you within a week, tops. The flavor difference even the smell is noticeable.

[Squeeze]

Nothing personal but that packaged lamb is crap. You're using a product that was slaughtered and processed on the 1st of the month, in NZ or Australia. Packaged on who knows what day after butchered, then vacuum sealed, loaded on a truck. Shipped to the US then sent to retail outlets.
So from actual slaughter time to you cooking it can be a month or more, easy.

Find someone local who raises lamb, or call a few packing places. This gives you a locally sourced product that was slaughtered then delivered to you within a week, tops. The flavor difference even the smell is noticeable.

^^^THIS! Fresh meat is really the only choice for my dinner table. Sure, it costs more, but the difference is absolutely noticeable and it's better for you.

[Great-Kazoo]

^^^THIS! Fresh meat is really the only choice for my dinner table. Sure, it costs more, but the difference is absolutely noticeable and it's better for you.

When it comes to lamb, it's cheaper in the long . We're paying an average of $5- $6.75 lb for processed, wrapped, ready to cook when i buy a live / whole one.
For beef & pork, sure a bit more costly, but... you know where it comes from. I thought the beef prices at the farmers market were on the high side . Till i looked at beef in Krogers (kings) and safeway. Average of $6-9 lb at the store! TFM