8 Ways To Use Charcoal Smoker Properly

When it comes to gourmet food, nothing beats the flavor of meats and food that you can get with a charcoal smoker. While there may be other types of smokers that are easy to use or cheaper, none of those varieties have the power of a charcoal smoker to cook the best meats. We have compiled a list of some of the most important things that you need to keep in mind while using a charcoal smoker.

The value of starting early

Majority of the flavor compounds that are present in smoke are water or fat-soluble. This means that whatever meat you are cooking will be able to best absorb the smoky flavors when raw. The smoke does not penetrate as well as the surface of the meat cooks more and dries.

Keep a check on the temperature

With charcoal smokers such as the Weber 721001 Smokey Mountain Cooker 18-Inch Charcoal Smoker, keeping the temperature constant at the desired value is the key to a delicious output. Check the temperature of your charcoal smoker every half hour, ensuring the thermometer built in the smoker is reliable. If it is not, then insert an oven thermometer’s probe into one of its vent holes to check the temperature.

Slow and low is the key

Denis Lubojanski, the founder of Grills Forever, says that real barbecue is cooked over low indirect and very slowly. This is what will make the sinewy meats moist and tender. However, in case of steaks, vegetables and shrimp, you have to grill for just a few minutes. The Weber 721001 Smokey Mountain Cooker 18-Inch Charcoal Smoker is ideal for cooking over long as well as short periods, deepening on what you are making. You can also manage temperature at your ease when you are using this grill.

Wood chips and coal will need frequent replenishing

At least once every hour, your charcoal smoker will need replenishing of the charcoal and wood chips in it. This may vary a little, for it depends on what you are cooking and the smoker. In addition to that, ensure that there is a minimum of 2 inches of the liquid in the smoker’s water pan at all times.

Do not add to much wood

While it is important to ensure sufficient wood at all times, adding too much of it will make the food taste bitter. Do not smoke the food for longer than half of the total cooking time. With an optimal amount of wood, the smoke flow will resemble a gentle stream, and not like the smoke out of a train engine!

You need to be there at all times

While smoking is comparatively a ‘low-maintenance’ cooking method, it still requires you to be alert and mindful at all times. Keep the temperature in check and do not leave the fire unattended under any circumstances.

Avoid peeking too much

Heat and smoke are lost each time the grill is opened. These are the most important elements for cooking delicious meal. Open the smoker’s lid only when it is absolutely necessary, and take care of the fire, food and water pan all at once.

The importance of ventilation

The vents of the grill should be in open position, and the vent on the lid should be opposite of the coals. Open vents help to draw the charcoal and wood smoke to give you a clean smoke with sufficient ventilation. In case the fire is too hot, close the top vent completely. Properly positioned vents such as those in Weber 721001 Smokey Mountain Cooker 18-Inch Charcoal Smoker are what help to make the meat evenly cooked.

With all this knowledge, you now know what the most important things are while using a charcoal smoker. We know that you love a delicious barbecue- and that is exactly what we are helping you achieve!

Source: http://grillsforever.com/best-charcoal-smoker-reviews/ (Grills Forever)