This Is My Official Entry in the WSM/Bullet Smoker vs. Kamado!" Throwdown
Meathenge: Using the Vertical Finishing Method on a Large USDA Choice Porterhouse
Yesterday, I was in the mood for a large porterhouse steak, so I headed to the Ralph's in Porter Ranch, which has some of the best beef within 25 miles. Wide selection of USDA Choice, and a very good selection of Prime as well.
Unfortunately, the porterhouse steaks they had in the meat section were too thin, so I asked the butcher if they had any bigger, and he said they'd be happy to cut one for me. I asked for 1.5 inches thick, and boy, did they cut up a beauty for me.
Here it is, unpacked:
There's almost as much filet as there is strip! That's how I like my porterhouse steaks! There was, however, a pretty large line of fat outside the strip, so I decided to trim it off:
I decided on a simple seasoning of seasoned pepper and seasoned salt:
Then fired up the Kamado with a bunch of lump for a high heat cook:
For this cook, I didn't do my usual reverse sear, although I kept the bone side towards the fire at all times:
After several minutes on each side, with an internal temp reading about 115, I employed a technique I use for any kind of chop or t-bone style cut, which is to place the meat bone side down over the hottest section of the grill. I find this very helpful in cooking the meat near the bone, which often comes out much more underdone than the rest of the meat. It always works great, plus it looks kinda cool:
Please use the above pic as my entry shot.
Sometimes with smaller cuts, or thinner ones, the meat won't stand upright, and in this situation, I'll just put a half section of brick on the grill to help prop it up.
After about two minutes standing upright, the meat was done, so I brought it inside and let it rest. I would like to point out that there is no way an WSM can cook a steak like my "flowerpot cooker". :mrgreen:
Meat resting:
Ten minutes later, I separated the filet and strip from the bone, and sliced it up:
The Missus and I devoured our portions, and there wasn't a single scrap left!
I don't claim to have invented putting the chops upright at the end of a cook, as I'm sure some of you already do this, but for those who haven't tried it, I highly recommend it!
