Amateur smoker looking for tips. No pun intended.

[_MementoMori_]

Hi guys.

I have recently discovered the wonderful world of smoking meat, and I would like to suck less at it. I am faux-smoking on a charcoal grill with a smoker box directly on top of the coals at the moment, and I'm looking at one of those v-shaped smoker boxes to also faux-smoke on my gas grill. Even though I'm terrible at it, my whole family likes it and says that there is a definite improvement in flavor over non-smoked meat.

Does anyone else do it this way? Any hints for me? Certain types of wood you like? Just bombard me with info. I'll take notes if I need to.

 

[DoctorShavegood]

So are wanting buy a dedicated wood burning smoker, or stick to what you currently have and try and make it wotk?

 

[_MementoMori_]

So are wanting buy a dedicated wood burning smoker, or stick to what you currently have and try and make it wotk?

The long term goal is definitely to get a dedicated smoker. But for now, I'd like to see how far I can go with this setup.

 

[DoctorShavegood]

Show us a picture of both of your grills or at least the make and model.

 

[paintflinger]

Don't waste money on the gas grill smoker. Nit worth it. The gas grill vents too much air to smoke effectively.

 

[_MementoMori_]

Show us a picture of both of your grills or at least the make and model.

I've got this guy.

Double Play® Gas & Charcoal Grill

This Smoker grill Combo is every grill lover's dream. Incorporating charcoal and gas grilling in one unit, the Char-Griller Double Play® Gas & Charcoal Grill is ideal for the backyard BBQ enthusiast. Get your own Double Play® Gas & Charcoal Grill today exclusively at Home Depot

www.chargriller.com

 

[_MementoMori_]

Don't waste money on the gas grill smoker. Nit worth it. The gas grill vents too much air to smoke effectively.

I've read this elsewhere. Too bad there isn't a way to seal it up somehow. Would plugging the chimneys be enough? Safety of that maneuver aside.

 

[It's Hedley]

I always recommend a Weber Smokey Mountain to learn how to properly smoke meats (with charcoal). It takes a bit of work, but that can be half the fun. Go to the following and you will learn all you need to know about smoking meat like a pro.

www.virtualweberbullet.com

 

[_MementoMori_]

I always recommend a Weber Smokey Mountain to learn how to properly smoke meats (with charcoal). It takes a bit of work, but that can be half the fun. Go to the following and you will learn all you need to know about smoking meat like a pro.

www.virtualweberbullet.com

Just visited that link and now I'm starving. So, thanks?

 

[It's Hedley]

Just visited that link and now I'm starving. So, thanks?

Ha. The BRITU (best ribs in the universe) recipe is worth the effort. Actually, very simple once you try it a couple of times. The rub is top notch. Now that you mention it, I'm getting hungry too!

 

[The Knize]

The long term goal is definitely to get a dedicated smoker. But for now, I'd like to see how far I can go with this setup.

Not sure my advice is any good, but I will share my experience with what I did. Basically, I gave up pretty quickly on trying to actually smoke anything on a regular gas grill. Hard to get enough smoke. Very hard to control temperature. Not really designed for smoking. I bought a fairly inexpensive "dorm fridge" electric smoker--Masterbuilt, I have gone through a couple now, and I do not remember the prices, but certainly less than $200. I am sure it is considered blasphemous by some to even suggest an electric smoker, as opposed to something powered by charcoal/wood or even propane/natural gas. But I would say this setup has served me well, with arguably less attention having to be paid to it. I did buy a remote (i.e., from the house) thermometer, which makes tending the smoker all the easier. I think one thing the electric does not do that a charcoal unit does well is create a smoke ring, although what they say these days seems to be that this does not matter to taste.

Smoking is really pretty easy with something like this. I do not know what you would be terrible at using something at it. Not that you cannot learn lots of helpful stuff like slavers and rubs, Texas crutches (I prefer butcher paper over foil), letting smoked meats rest in a cooler, stalls, and proper temperatures.

Hickory or hickory and apple seem good to me for bacon and pulled pork. Oak, and if you can get it, real post oak, for brisket.

I have not done much with fish or cheese. I did buy a Masterbuilt supplemental smoke generator that plugs in to the side of the unit and allows one to sort of do cold smoking, among other things. But it is not really necessary.

Certainly Weber Smokey Mountain units get consistently good reviews for charcoal.

 

[Doc4]

I am sure it is considered blasphemous by some to even suggest an electric smoker, as opposed to ... propane

 

[paintflinger]

I've read this elsewhere. Too bad there isn't a way to seal it up somehow. Would plugging the chimneys be enough? Safety of that maneuver aside.

No because the propane jets are designed to burn a specific air fuel ratio....like your car. Choking off the flow could cause them to not burn fully and flavor your meat.

 

[DoctorShavegood]

I give up.

 

[simon1]

Using a gas or charcoal grill for smoking is an affront to mankind.

It depends on your personal preference for a real smoker. The Weber Smoker Mountain is quality and well built. If I got one it would be the 22".

Smokey Mountain: The BBQ Smoker | Weber

Create authentic mouthwatering smoked dishes with Weber's Smokey Mountain Cooker charcoal grills. Shop these bbq smokers today!

www.weber.com

If you want to go full stick burner mode, my Son-In-Law has one of these, and I believe Aaron does also. I'm going to get one the next time I'm in the DFW area to an Academy. It's not a $1,000 entry level competition one, but it seems good for the price point. I don't compete, I just backyard cook.

Old Country BBQ Pits Pecos Smoker | Academy

The Old Country BBQ Pits Pecos Coal Smoker features all-welded steel construction with heat-resistant paint for lasting use. Stainless-steel "stay cool" handles pro...

www.academy.com

I've had one of these for years and it turns out great stuff, but I had to seal it up and do mods. on it to be able to control the temp. correctly. Pretty thin sheet metal construction.

Smokin' Pro™ Barrel Grill and Offset Smoker

Professional grills and smokers. Seriously hard working grills.

www.chargriller.com

As for wood, it depends on what you like and what you're cooking. I use mostly post oak because it's abundant here and a chain saw makes quick work of one. I love hickory also...have two trees but only use the trimmed branches. I also like mesquite, but SWMBO thinks it's too strong.

For chicken and other delicate meats pecan, apple, cherry, etc. is mild enough not to overpower it. Depends on what you like.

This is a pretty good book, but there are a bunch of other ways to smoke and he's the first to admit it. He also has a bunch of youtube videos.

https://www.amazon.com/Franklin-Barbecue-Meat-Smoking-Manifesto-Aaron/dp/1607747200

Talking about how to smoke meats has started more fights than politics and religion.

 

[The Knize]

Ha! Propane and propane accessories!

Aaron Franklin is fabulous. If I know anything at all about brisket, I have learned it from those videos.

<Talking about how to smoke meats has started more fights than politics and religion.>

True that.

I find mesquite a little strong myself.

<Using a gas or charcoal grill for smoking is an affront to mankind.>

That is hilarious. I understand the sentiment. The OP's family already loves smoked meat. I think a real smoker is going to say a lot of effort on the OP's part and will resolve all thoughts being a terrible smoker.

 

[Hachet]

Came to say, ha!

 

[simon1]

I think a real smoker is going to say a lot of effort on the OP's part and will resolve all thoughts being a terrible smoker.

Did you mean SAVE? That makes a lot more sense and is as true as a rock will fall if dropped.

I need to get to Plano and pick up a new stick burner...mine's getting wore out.

 

[DoctorShavegood]

Using a gas or charcoal grill for smoking is an affront to mankind.

It depends on your personal preference for a real smoker. The Weber Smoker Mountain is quality and well built. If I got one it would be the 22".

Smokey Mountain: The BBQ Smoker | Weber

Create authentic mouthwatering smoked dishes with Weber's Smokey Mountain Cooker charcoal grills. Shop these bbq smokers today!

www.weber.com

If you want to go full stick burner mode, my Son-In-Law has one of these, and I believe Aaron does also. I'm going to get one the next time I'm in the DFW area to an Academy. It's not a $1,000 entry level competition one, but it seems good for the price point. I don't compete, I just backyard cook.

Old Country BBQ Pits Pecos Smoker | Academy

The Old Country BBQ Pits Pecos Coal Smoker features all-welded steel construction with heat-resistant paint for lasting use. Stainless-steel "stay cool" handles pro...

www.academy.com

I've had one of these for years and it turns out great stuff, but I had to seal it up and do mods. on it to be able to control the temp. correctly. Pretty thin sheet metal construction.

Smokin' Pro™ Barrel Grill and Offset Smoker

Professional grills and smokers. Seriously hard working grills.

www.chargriller.com

As for wood, it depends on what you like and what you're cooking. I use mostly post oak because it's abundant here and a chain saw makes quick work of one. I love hickory also...have two trees but only use the trimmed branches. I also like mesquite, but SWMBO thinks it's too strong.

For chicken and other delicate meats pecan, apple, cherry, etc. is mild enough not to overpower it. Depends on what you like.

This is a pretty good book, but there are a bunch of other ways to smoke and he's the first to admit it. He also has a bunch of youtube videos.

https://www.amazon.com/Franklin-Barbecue-Meat-Smoking-Manifesto-Aaron/dp/1607747200

Talking about how to smoke meats has started more fights than politics and religion.

Yes and/or yes. Thank you Mike.

 

[_MementoMori_]

I just remembered why I left B&B the first time a few years ago: you guys make me buy stuff.