Smokers as Opposed to Conventional BBQs, Which is Most Effective?

We’re all informed about the traditional charcoal bbq where food is cooked on a grill over sizzling coals.
But when you’re looking for anything slightly different, both in the cooking approach and flavor, you might like to consider a smoker.

Smokers have become ever more popular together with numerousa few styles out there.

Producing a unique ‘smoked’ flavor, the textures and also flavours created by smoking may be different to conventional bbqs.

Smokers are particularly best for smoking food for example cheese, a wide variety of fish, certain cuts of beef, bacon, ham as well as sausages.

If you are weighing up whether or not to select a conventional barbecue or possibly a smoker, we’ve outlined some of the advantages and disadvantages regarding smokers listed below.

But first, let’s look at just what smoking is and the way smokers work.

What is smoking?

Smoking is actually a cooking process employed for flavouring, cooking or preserving food in smoke.

The actual smoke is usually created by burning wood and traditionally smoking was done through farmers and huntsmen in a specially designed building termed as a ‘smokehouse’.

Smoking offered a functional technique to preserve meat and also fish in the days prior to refrigeration.

There are two main options for smoking food - ‘cold smoking’ and ‘hot smoking’.

Cold smoking is actually carried out with temperatures below 100°F and will not cook food but gives it a smoky flavour.

This technique is utilized intended for offering food a smoked flavour before cooking it using another method for example baking, grilling or roasting.

Hot smoking provides and smoke to both equally flavour and cook the meals at the same time by using temperatures close to 165°F to 185°F.

As soon as smoked using this method, the food is prepared to consume.

What is a smoker?

For many individuals it wouldn’t be practical to construct a full-size smokehouse within our back garden but thankfully, we are able to obtain the smokehouse experience although on a smaller scale, employing a household smoker.

The smoker is actually a unit used for preparing food in a smoky atmosphere.

As opposed to a traditional barbecue that is designed to let the smoke to escape, a smoker features a cover that traps the actual smoke where it is used to flavour and also cook the food.

The particular smoking method differs somewhat from manufacturer to manufacturer but generally the smoke is manufactured making use of wood chips or wood pellets plus a smoke generator.

Diverse flavours can be achieved by using different types of wood pellet - as an example maple or hickory.

Pros and cons of a smoker

If you decide on a smoker or a bbq will depend with your own personal taste and in what way typically you like to enjoy smoked foods.

Below are a few items to think about:

Advantages of a smoker

Adaptability: But the main purpose of smokers is always to smoke food, many could be adapted to cook in other ways barbecuing, roasting and also steaming.

So you might find that purchasing a smoker will give you everything you will need from the traditional barbecue but with the added capability of having the capacity to smoke food effortlessly as well.

Simplicity of use: In the event that you’d would rather be chatting to your visitors, or perhaps soaking in the sun's rays as opposed to slaving on the hot bbq, then a smoker might be a great choice.

Once you’ve got the process under way, you can leave your smoker to get on with cooking the meals and never have to constantly tend to it.

Texture: Food cooked within a smoker can often be tenderer than meals cooked on the bbq.

This is because of the slow method by which the meat will be cooked. Since the food isn’t at risk of burning, it’s likely to be far more tasty.

Wellness: When smoking food you don’t have to add oil to stop this sticking to the grill, so you can cook dinner without adding extra fat to the food.

Disadvantages of the smoker

Price: Traditional barbeques can be found in various different shapes and sizes and when you’re on a budget it’s achievable to pick one up cheaply.

Smokers are more specialised therefore tend to be more costly.

Time: Smoking food takes time and so if you are in a rush or want fast results then a smoker is most likely isn’t a good choice for you.

Flavor: Some people discover that food cooked in the smoker can take on asome sort of bitter or chemical taste.

This frequently occurs when the smoker is totally new and can be overcomer by ‘curing’ the smoker prior to using it to cook.

This means allowing it to smoke with no food the first time you make use of it.

Smoked food isn’t to everyone’s taste, so purchasing a smoker a great idea should you and your loved ones love smoked food however, if you propose to use it for entertaining, you may find that a few of your guests would rather traditional barbecue flavours.

Alternative to a smoker

If you wish to experience the taste of smoked food from time to time without getting a smoker, you can replicate the smoking method on a traditional barbecue as long as it features a lid.

The actual smoky flavor won’t be as special when using a smoker but you can nevertheless get good results.

This process creates a smoky inside the barbecue utilizing wood chips.

First soak a large handful of wood chips in water for 30 minutes after which drain.

Next take a large square of tinfoil put the chips at the center.

Create a pouch simply by folding the tinfoil over the wood chips.

Next punch around 10 small holes into the pouch to permit the smoke to escape.

Place the tinfoil pouch onto the bbq above the hot coals and wait for the wood to start smoking.

Once this happens you can put your food onto the grill rack and shut the lid to trap the smoke.