Barbecue Smoker FAQ
The
team at Barbecue Party have compiled this ever-growing F.A.Q. for
barbecue smokers. Here you will find answers to the most commonly
asked questions about the great barbecue smoker, and if you feel that
there is something missing here, then please contact
us and make a suggestion. We love hearing from our readers!
What
is a 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?
There are many online retailers that sell barbecue smokers,
many manufacturers also have websites that feature them with in
depth detail. To make your life easier we have compiled a list of
our favourite barbecue smoker manufacturers along with in-depth
information about each one. Read the barbecue
smoker manufacturers list here.
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.
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Barbecue Smoker Related Articles |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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