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The FEC500 is a big commercial/competition grade pellet smoker, the second largest in Fast Eddy’s catalog. This 100% wood burning, pellet fired rotisserie smoker cooks 500 lbs. pork butts (hence the FEC500 name), 450 lbs. brisket, 150 lbs. ribs or 70 whole chickens fully loaded.
100% stainless steel inside and out, the double wall smoke box has 850° F Spin-Glas™ insulation. The carousel design has five arms with three 41 ¾” x 11 ¾” nickel plated cooking shelves per arm that slowly rotate, ensuring even cooking and self-basting meats as juices from shelves cresting at the top drip down onto shelves below. The carousel motor has a foot pedal switch for cooks to easily tend large loads of meat.
Temperature control is basically the same as a residential pellet smoker, one sets the desired cook temperature and an internal thermostat signals an augur motor to stop or start sending wood pellets to the firepot to maintain the set temp. The system provides both heat and smoke. The FEC500 IQ4 controller lets you set the cook temperature, cook time and holding temperature. So when the cook cycle is finished, the unit drops down to the holding temp.
Cookshack claims the FEC500 uses 2 lbs. of pellets per hour at 250°F and produces only 8 oz. of ash per 40 lbs. of pellets with continuous use. A heavy duty trailer is available for catering and competition (above). Fast Eddy states his BBQ smokers meet the requirements of all known barbecue competition sanctioning bodies.
Two year limited warranty and 30 day money back guarantee.
Manufacturer:
The Fast Eddy’s by Cookshack line is a collaborative design from Cookshack of Ponca City, OK and competition barbecue circuit pro, “Fast Eddy” Maurin. The FEC line, (Fast Eddy’s by Cookshack) has been popular with competitive teams for years. The PG500 and PG1000 are their first residential smokers.
Cookshack is a second generation family owned business started in the early 1960’s by Gene and Judy Ellis. Gene Ellis was an inventor and entrepreneur who loved barbecue. They began selling sauces and spice blends then branched out into hardware. Cookshack now manufactures a wide variety of pellet and electric smokers for restaurants, professional competitors, and back-yard barbecue enthusiasts. In 2004 Cookshack began a relationship with Fast Eddy Maurin, winner of numerous Grand Championships on the competitive BBQ circuit. Together they produced Fast Eddy’s innovative pellet smoker designs which were greeted with enthusiasm and have become some of Cookshack’s most popular smokers.
All their well-built machines are made in the USA and come with 2-year limited warranties. The company is universally respected for customer care and their online open forum is extremely informative and helpful. Owners absolutely positively love their Cookshacks.
Published On: 9/15/2014 Last Modified: 4/24/2023
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When you make rubs at home we recommend you add salt first then the herbs and spices because salt penetrates deep and the other stuff remains on the surface. So thick cuts need more salt. We put salt in these bottled rubs because all commercial rubs have salt and consumers expect it. You can still use these as a dry brine, just sprinkle the rub on well in advance to give the salt time to penetrate. For very thick cuts of meat, we recommend adding a bit more salt. Salt appears first in the ingredients list because the law says the order is by weight, not volume, and salt is a heavy rock.
Sprinkle on one tablespoon per pound of meat two hours or more before cooking if you can. Called “dry brining,” the salt gets wet, ionizes, becomes a brine, and slowly penetrates deep, enhancing flavor and juiciness while building a nice crusty “bark” on the surface. Sprinkle some on at the table too!
Are they hot? No! You can always add hot pepper flakes or Chipotle powder (my fave) in advance or at the table. But we left them mild so you can serve them to kids and Aunt Matilda
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