Smoker Cooking, Is It For You?
- Date: 2007-04-18 - Word Count: 682
Share This!
There are many ways to cook outdoors. And if you ask anyone that loves to prepare their meals this way, you will find many differing opinions as to what is the best way to perform this task. There are probably two main ways to cook outside and that is with the barbecue grill or with a smoker.
Many will explain that using the barbecue grill is the best way. This way of cooking is a great way to prepare a meal in a relatively short time and is normally the first method that is learned by many. Anyone that uses this method will have different opinions as to which is better the wood grill, the propane grill or the charcoal grill.
Those in the other camp will rave about how smoker cooking is the best route. This is a longer method but delivers a very delicious, moist flavorful meal. And, again, those that support this method will be divided as to the best smoker be it gas, wood, or electric.
Both methods have their pros and cons but the one that I prefer is smoker cooking.
What Is A Smoker?
Most cookers do not provide the heat directly to the meat. They are constructed so that the fire is normally in an offset fire chamber. This is so that the heat and smoke will move around and thru the meat indirectly. The food will never come in direct contact with the flame and as such will not get burned. Also, because the meat is not directly over the flame, any juices or oils that may drop will not cause the flame to flare up.
Probably the biggest difference between barbecue cooking and smoker cooking is that the wood is used to generate a flavorful smoke and not just the heat. There are many types of wood that can be used in a smoker. The different types will provide a very different flavor.
One of the most popular wood to use is that of the hickory tree. This creates a heavy, smoky flavor. The smoke created by wood from fruit trees like apple and pecan will generate a lighter, sweeter flavor. Another wood that is used in the southwest is that of the mesquite tree.
If You Are An Impatient Person, Do Not Use A Smoker
If you want a meal that will be ready in a short period of time, smoker cooking is not for you. It is a process that takes more time than it would using the barbecue grill. This is due to the fact that the meat is not placed directly over the heat source. Obviously, the length of time will vary with the type of meat and the temperature in the smoker.
When you are smoking a piece of meat that weighs about 4 pounds this should take more than two hours. On the other hand, cooking the same piece of meat on a barbecue grill may take less than an hour.
What Can You Smoke?
The only limitation as to what you can cook on a smoker is your imagination. Any meat that you can cook on a kitchen stove or a barbecue grill, you can cook on a smoker. You will find many recipes for cooking all kinds of different meats. Some of the more popular dishes include pork ribs, fish, chicken, turkey, and the famous beef brisket.
Along with the different flavors you will get from the different woods, you can change the taste by the use of the meal by the way you season the dish. Another way to enhance the flavor is to place fruit juices in a bowl over the heat source. I have used pineapple and apple juices with some garlic in a bowl to create a very different taste.
When it comes to cooking outdoors, there are a few ways that you can go. But, when you talk to most cooks, they normally have one way to approach this taks. The way that I prefer is the use of a smoker.
Dave Owen is the webmaster for Bbq Heaven. For more information as to how to cook outdoors visit BBQ Heaven
Many will explain that using the barbecue grill is the best way. This way of cooking is a great way to prepare a meal in a relatively short time and is normally the first method that is learned by many. Anyone that uses this method will have different opinions as to which is better the wood grill, the propane grill or the charcoal grill.
Those in the other camp will rave about how smoker cooking is the best route. This is a longer method but delivers a very delicious, moist flavorful meal. And, again, those that support this method will be divided as to the best smoker be it gas, wood, or electric.
Both methods have their pros and cons but the one that I prefer is smoker cooking.
What Is A Smoker?
Most cookers do not provide the heat directly to the meat. They are constructed so that the fire is normally in an offset fire chamber. This is so that the heat and smoke will move around and thru the meat indirectly. The food will never come in direct contact with the flame and as such will not get burned. Also, because the meat is not directly over the flame, any juices or oils that may drop will not cause the flame to flare up.
Probably the biggest difference between barbecue cooking and smoker cooking is that the wood is used to generate a flavorful smoke and not just the heat. There are many types of wood that can be used in a smoker. The different types will provide a very different flavor.
One of the most popular wood to use is that of the hickory tree. This creates a heavy, smoky flavor. The smoke created by wood from fruit trees like apple and pecan will generate a lighter, sweeter flavor. Another wood that is used in the southwest is that of the mesquite tree.
If You Are An Impatient Person, Do Not Use A Smoker
If you want a meal that will be ready in a short period of time, smoker cooking is not for you. It is a process that takes more time than it would using the barbecue grill. This is due to the fact that the meat is not placed directly over the heat source. Obviously, the length of time will vary with the type of meat and the temperature in the smoker.
When you are smoking a piece of meat that weighs about 4 pounds this should take more than two hours. On the other hand, cooking the same piece of meat on a barbecue grill may take less than an hour.
What Can You Smoke?
The only limitation as to what you can cook on a smoker is your imagination. Any meat that you can cook on a kitchen stove or a barbecue grill, you can cook on a smoker. You will find many recipes for cooking all kinds of different meats. Some of the more popular dishes include pork ribs, fish, chicken, turkey, and the famous beef brisket.
Along with the different flavors you will get from the different woods, you can change the taste by the use of the meal by the way you season the dish. Another way to enhance the flavor is to place fruit juices in a bowl over the heat source. I have used pineapple and apple juices with some garlic in a bowl to create a very different taste.
When it comes to cooking outdoors, there are a few ways that you can go. But, when you talk to most cooks, they normally have one way to approach this taks. The way that I prefer is the use of a smoker.
Dave Owen is the webmaster for Bbq Heaven. For more information as to how to cook outdoors visit BBQ Heaven
Related Tags: smoker cooking, barbecue cooking, smoker grill
Your Article Search Directory : Find in Articles
Recent articles in this category:
- Important Things to Know About an Assisted Living Residence in Texas
n assisted living residence is a facility designed for senior citizens or persons with disabilities - Understanding How the Probate Process Works
The probate process is required within the U.S. to settle estates of deceased persons. The time requ - Fun Ideas for the Family During the Christmas Holiday
The Yuletide season is one of the most awaited holidays of the year because it is the time for joy a - How To Find The Right Composite Decking Deck Builders
Another rising home improvement project homeowners are starting to do a lot more of is the composite - Every Home Should Have A Radiant Barrier
The most easy and successful home improvement project you can do to your House, would be to install - The Different Types Of Rain Gutters
When purchasing a house or planning to do improvements to a home, there is always one project that s - How To Get The Best Replacement Windows For Your Home
Installing replacement windows can be the single most important home improvement project you can do - Holiday Accommodation Gold Coast: Pointers For Selecting The Best
With a multitude of holiday accommodations in Gold Coast, choosing the one for yourself can be quite - Want Holiday Accommodation In Gold Coast Queensland? Get Online To Find The Best Deal In A Quick, Co
There are several ways to find holiday accommodation in Gold Coast. You may refer to travel guides t - Celebrate The Ten-days Festival Of Navratri.
Dasara known as Dussehra, Navaratri, Vijaya Dashami is a festival of triumph of GOOD over Evil. The
Most viewed articles in this category:
- Adoptees Need Support When Voicing Feelings about Birth Parents
"I feel like a mistake.""I'm not like them.""Where's my family?""Why can't I find a suitable career? - Progressive Cooking: All About 'cuisine'
The French are known for their interest in art and all that is fine. It therefore comes as no surpri - Moroccan Decor - Oh My! Make Your Home Shine With Moroccan Rugs and Tapestries.
It is said in Morocco that he who enters Fez with a rug will leave with a moneybag. This saying o - Online Criminal Background Checks-Importance & Ease
Have you ever thought your new neighbor looks like one of the pictures on the post office bulletin b - Installing A Burglar Alarm
Want to protect your home? Ready to install a burglar alarm? The popularity of the home burglar ala - Lowe's Backyard Playground Sets
Lowe's is an excellent first place to look for anyone who is looking for the best swing sets on the - How Could Short Term Health Insurance Help Me?
Short-term health insurance plans allow people to have health insurance for a limited amount of time - Watch Out For Those Stinky Skunks!
There are various species of skunks found throughout the United States including the striped, spotte - Asthma In Kids: An Increasing Epidemic
Many believe that the majority of asthma cases are confined to adults, but this is definitely an inc - Stairlifts For Riders Of Above Average Weight
A stairlift is an affordable device that is used to give people with limited mobility access to the