Spatchcocked Game Hens - Smoked

[billythekidrock]

Saturday was a busy day but I managed to smoke up 8 Cornish game hens for dinner and for lunch during today’s game.

Brined overnight in:
1-gallon water
1-gallon apple juice
1-cup brown sugar
½ cup canning salt

After brining and drying they were injected with butter and garlic salt.



After 30 minutes of smoke, they were topped with bacon and a couple were basted with a herb and garlic mixture.



I cooked them at about 250 until they reached 160 degrees and then upped the temp to about 300 to finish them at 170 degrees.







For dinner they were served with homegrown fingerling potatoes and sugar snap peas. For lunch today they will be served with potato chips and soda.

I really like the Redi Chek thermometer. With the remote receiver I don’t have to run out and check the temp every 15 minutes. Being able to set a timer and high/low temp alarms is a great bonus.

[Watimberghost]

That sounds, looks, and I'm sure, tastes incredible

[Blacklab]

Looks   
what's your smoke flavor

[billythekidrock]

Looks   
what's your smoke flavor

I used a mix of Alder dust and Hickory chips.

[boneaddict]

Looks fantastic.

[Hawgdawg]

Looks tasty. Mind me asking how you keep your smoker walls so clean? Or is it new?

[billythekidrock]

Looks tasty. Mind me asking how you keep your smoker walls so clean? Or is it new?

I have had that metal cabinet for a dozen years but just recently lined the inside. This is the first smoke since I lined it.

[Jason]

Awesome job on the birds, they look delicious

[dogtuk]

They look great Kid Nice job

[Blacklab]

ASwesome love hickory  keepmon keepin on 

[quadrafire]

BTKR
Those look fabulous. I love spatchcocked game hens.

I have the redicheck, but my does some wonky things at times. Usually about 1/2 way through cooking the temp will rise suddenly (not accurately when checked with another thermometor). Any issues with your set up?
I have gotten to where I don't trust it.

[billythekidrock]

Well I used the Redi Chek again today and I did get some crazy readings. LLL (low) & HHH (high) on the smoker reading when it shouldn't have.

I did get it a bit too hot the other day and may have fried it.

[Wea300mag]

Those are some great looking birds 

[adamR]

How long did you cook them at those temps? They look delicious

[billythekidrock]

I think it was about 2 hours at 250 and then about 15 min at 300.