The
team have compiled this ever-growing F.A.Q. on
barbecue smokers. Here you will find answers to the most commonly asked
questions about the great barbecue smoker.
A barbecue smoker is similar to a
conventional
barbecue grill but with a closeable lid on the top designed to trap the
smoke. There are basically two types of smokers, direct and in-direct.
Direct smokers are essentially a single unit with a closeable lid. Food
is placed on the grill as per usualy, then aromatic wood chips are
added to the charcoal which in turn smoke within the cavity which
infuses the flood with a glorious flavour.
In-direct smokers consists of two units. The grill unit with a
closeable lid, just like the direct smoker, but in addition to that, it
has a seperate box which contains the charcoal and woodchips.
The wood
chips are added into the smoker unit, located usually to one side of
the grill. When hot, the smoke travels through into the grill
compartment where the smoke then flavours the meat on the barbecue.
Do I need a bbq
smoker?
Not neccessarily, but they are useful! A barbecue
smoker will basically allow you to get the most flavour from your
barbecue food, and having a dedicated system to smoking will ensure
that your food not only tastes great, but also impresses your guests
too.Like any gadget, having the right tool for the
job is essential for top-notch results in our opinion.
How much do
barbecue smokers
cost?
Generally speaking most residential sized
barbecue smokers range in price from between £150.00 and £1500.00p so
you can see that there is a world apart in terms of size and quality.
Most barbecue smokers over the £300.00p mark will generally give
professional quality results though, and the less expensive versions
will do the job just find but is more suited to those on a tighter
budget.
Where can I buy a
barbecue
smoker?
Right here! To make your life easier we have
compiled our favorite barbecue smokers along with in-depth
information about each one for you to review and make your choice.
Visit our barbecue smokers
section to view the smokers that we have available.
Will gusty winds
effect the
performance of my bbq smoker?
Only through your own personal experience with
your barbecue smoker will you find out how wind will affect your
smoking. You will also need to experiment with vents, should they be
fitted to your smoker, and get used to the way various quantities of
food cook in various weather conditions. This has to be the best way to
learn how to get the most from your own smoker, and get the best
results.
What is the best
way to
maintain my barbecue smoker?
As with any cooking device, maintenance and
general barbecue
hygiene are important aspects when using a barbecue smoker.To get the best results from your smoker, you
should take the time to read our dedicated section on barbecue smoker
maintenance as it will give you great general tips to keep your smoker
in great shape. Your barbecue smoker manufacturer will also be able to
help you with the maintenance of your product, so why not drop them an
email or give them a call to find out.
I have poor
airflow, how do I
modify my smoker?
In some situations barbecue smoker users find
that there is not enough airflow around the smoker to generate enough
heat, or worse still, provide inconstency when cooking giving wildly
varying results to the cooking.
Many smoker users find that the best way to improve the performance of
their barbecue smoker is by cutting away small sections of the smoker,
or drilling holes in the right places. We do recommend that you consult
with your smoker manufacturer first of all before attempting any
modifications on your own barbecue smoker
as they may well have an
"off-the-shelf" solution for you to use.
I
have bought a smoker, what should I do first ?
A
new barbecue smoker should be cured like any new iron skillet. You can
wipe the inside of the smoker with Pam, peanut oil, cooking oils, or
even bacon grease left over from bacon cooked on your stove. After you
have done this, light the smoker with a medium fire, say 220 degrees
and then let it smoke heavily. A few hours is good, the longer the
better. A smoker will cure without oils, but the buildup of the resin
base on the doors doesn't seem to hold very well over the years.
Highly Recommended BBQ
Smokers
How big does your smoker need to be?
The smallest smokers can produce enough food for a large
family (maybe as many as 20 people).
The largest smokers make enough BBQ to cater for a large group all day long.
It is imperative that you take into account how much BBQ you want to make before you purchase a BBQ smoker.
If you are
only going to be smoking for the family on the weekend then a small unit
will be enough, Brinkmann Smokers and Weber Smokey Mountains are ideal for this purpose.
Routine Care - Before
you do anything, you will need to know how to take care of your smoker
or pit on a day to day basis. Most smokers and pits require little
maintenance, but of course the best results will come from a clean
barbecue! Here is the low-down on how to provide basic
maintenance for your barbecue smoker or pit.
Pit Painting - Is
your smoker or pit getting flaky around the edges ? David Klose gives a
good insight into what is involved in his tips for pit
painting.
Pit Curing - Before
you use your smoker for the first time it is essential to ensure that
your pit or smoker is cured properly before use. Take a look at these
tips for pit
curing by David Klose.
Barbecue
Smoker Articles
Barbecue Hygiene -
Read this article to find out how you can improve your barbecue
hygiene and what steps you can take to ensure that your meal
is safe for both your family and guests.
Barbecue Safety -
This interesting article explains how you can improve your barbecue
safety which is one of the most important aspects of any
barbecue and is well worth reading.
