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Archives for August 2017

How to use a Charcoal Smoker – Easy Steps Explained

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Smoking is one of the best authentic ways of cooking moist and flavourful meat at home. This cooking style is different compared to the grilling technique because, in the smokers, indirect heat is used for cooking. While using the smoker, you must know the right amount of temperature and the water quantity required to get the moist and delicious barbecue.

How to use a Charcoal Smoker

Comparing other cooking methods and the Charcoal style, charcoal one requires added skills. Well, it is not like you know the recipe, and you make the food. In the smoking method, along with the recipe, you need to know the right temperature and also keep checking the water level at regular intervals.

Do not over cook or under cook meat. It gets messy that way. To get all the things right, you need to install and use the Smoker in the right manner.

First, you have to create a Smoke environment, and then maintain that for some time. Once you complete both these steps, you can try out different recipes on the smoker.

Step 1

  • For creating a smoky environment, you will need to get the charcoal on board. Not a board, you have to place the charcoal within a chimney. Visit your nearest local hardware shop, and there you will get a chimney. After this add the charcoal and light it up. Keep the container as it is for 15 minutes. This is a compulsory step since you will need charcoal for the processing.charcoal-chimney-starter
  • Time to take the smoker system. First, place the unlit charcoal pieces on one side of the smoker, and pour the hot charcoal pieces on top of the unlit ones. Place this on one side, and keep the meat on the other side. You can even put the meat in the middle, and surround it with charcoal. In this manner, the meat will get the indirect heat from the charcoal, and the cooking process will begin.
  • You can make use of wood chunks for enhancing the flavor. Some of the common woods used in smokers include apple, cherry, oak, and hickory woods.
  • Also, the smoker includes one water pan.But if you don’t have one, you can make use of the baking pan too. The primary job is to get a quality amount of vapor within the system. This helps with cooking the meat evenly in the smoker.
  • And now, it’s time to place the meat on the grates. Do ensure that you keep the large pieces in the last grate. And the small chicken pieces placed on the top grate, as it requires less vapor for cooking.

Step 2

  • This section is related about how to maintain the smoke. You will find two vents on the smoker, on the top and the bottom side. We use the lower vent to deal with all sorts of  lower temperature requirements. The top vent has to be kept open throughout the process. Only if the bottom vent does not adjust the temperature in the needed way, the top vent has to be kept closed.
  • Let the smoker do the smoking job. Make sure that you don’t open and close the lid at regular intervals. This way all the smoke and flavor will escape from the unit.

Step 3

pork-bbq-on-charcoal-smoker

  • With this, you are set with the unit, and now also aware about how to maintain the smoke within it. Try out different pork barbecue recipes, and other unique dishes like the beer can chicken. You can even begin with simple BBQ ribs.

In this way, you can start off with your Charcoal Smoking! We hope that you guys enjoyed reading the article throughout. When you are dealing with any Smoker method, patience is the way to success. Happy Smoking Folks!

Gas and Charcoal Grill Combo – Best for Outdoor Cooking

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Winter is nearby, and you are all set to pass this time with your friends over a BBQ! You will require a Smoker system in the first place. The market has got a variety of Smoker types, ranging from Grills and other Gas Smoker variants. Check out our top pick in the Gas and Grill Combo units, which can serve the purpose of 2 cooking styles in one.

Gas and Charcoal Grill Combo – Best for Outdoor Cooking

The dream of cooking meat on real fire is not that difficult these days. People are returning to the primitive days when meat was cooked on open fire. Start up some fire, drink some beer, and get started! But wait, you will need one Smoker or Grill for cooking.

Our Pick: Char-Griller 5050 Duo Gas-and-Charcoal

Char-Griller is one of those rare units which is user-friendly in all ways. Be its convenience or the operating style. And even the cost is found to be pretty reasonable too.

Therefore, now you could easily smoke, grill and even roast on this one single product. Both the grilling and smoking process has got different settings, and it is very well maintained on this Combo system.

Specifications

Char-Griller-5050-Duo-Gas-And-Charcoal-Grill-Combo

  • It works like a Dream for all the Grill lovers and has got an excellent steel built construction. This adds the durability in the unit.
  • There are two cooking surfaces in this- one for the Charcoal and the other one for the Gas.
  • A total cooking surface area of 1260 square inches is available on it.
  • You will find one cast side burner which provides an additional cooking space for you.
  • The cooking grates are porcelain coated and are made up of cast iron.
  • This combo unit has got three burners, with a total of more than 40K BTUs. Ignition is electronic. The side burner has got 12K BTUs.
  • Charcoal Grate comes with an adjustable height setting.

Features

This is Combo deal with smoking and grilling option, and you could get an extended usage period with the steel construction present here. You will get one cast side burner, providing some additional cooking space too. There are inbuilt temperature gauges which control the internal workings.

Ignition is electronic, and here you need to deal with the knob for lighting up the fire. With the help of the three stainless steel burners, you can easily get temperature upto 500°C for the gas type cooking. You can now make side dishes quickly on the side burners provided here. When not in use, you can cover this with the help of the cover provided.

 

Likes

  • Cooking space – You will get separate chambers for grilling and smoking. Along with this, there is one side burner for cooking any small dish.
  • Charcoal Addition – The grate lifter makes the lifting of the grate simple. And this also makes the addition of the charcoal effortless for the user.
  • Additional Storage – This system has got one basket, and one shelf underneath the smoker. You can easily store some quality vessels and other products here.Char-Griller-5050-Duo-Gas-And-Charcoal-Grill-Combo
  • Cleaning – Here the cooking grates are easy to clean since they are coated with porcelain, and made of cast iron.

Dislikes 

  • Rust case – Unit starts rusting on the internal portions. But with the right care and maintenance, you can escape this condition. You can paint the burners from inside, and also look out if the burner is kept in the rain without any shield on it!

Overall this is a good choice you can make in the Gas and Charcoal Grill Combo. If you are planning to throw one backyard BBQ party for your friends or family, then go for this multi-purpose Combo deal. You won’t regret this purchase!

How to Smoke Meat – A Beginner’s Guide

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Meat Smoking is not as easy as it may seem to you. It is a systematic process which requires expertise and a lot of patience. Traditionally, the smoking method was used for the preservation of the meat. But now with the addition of so many excellent BBQ recipes, you must not miss out one.

So you have got one Smoker at home, but still unsure about using it – follow this Beginner guide to get started with the Smoker, and cook some amazing and flavorful smoky meat for your friends and family.

how to smoke meat a beginner's guide

How to Smoke Meat – A Beginner’s Guide

When you talk about Smoking Meat, the first thing to be made clear is that this is a Slow process. And during the entire process, even heat is applied to the container, and the meat is cooked using the indirect heat.

The three things which you require for a perfect BBQ – Smoker, Spices, Meat of course, and Vinegar+Water Solution which is optional yet recommended.

We will divide the task into three parts for easy understanding:

Part 1

Get one Smoker system. Without this how could you begin the Smoking BBQ?

BBQ Smoker

There are different types of smokers available, choose the one which suits your needs and budget. After getting the Smoker next comes the setup procedure. Select the kind of the wood preferred. There are many of them which include apple, alder, maple, oak, cherry, hickory. All of them have got their specialty, understand each one of them, and make a quick selection.

Then you need to opt whether you need to go with the dry or wet cooking way. For the wood pieces, you can soak them in the water. You can leave out the large wood pieces from this soaking method. So your first step in the Smoking process is to get the Smoker unit all set.

Part 2

Now next step involves the dressing up of the meat for the BBQ. There are a variety of meats available, choose the favorite one of yours among the ribs, pork, chicken, lobsters, etc. After selecting the meat type, next step involves the making of the marinade.

Well, the marinade is also not a compulsory step, but it will help in enhancing the flavor of the meat and end up in making it as juiciest as possible. The marinade mainly includes salts and spices, and this is evenly applied on the meat. Leave the meat to rest with the marinade, before cooking.

Part 3

And finally, comes the Smoking part!

Set a clock for the cooking time, as we don’t want you guys to have a bad experience with the first BBQ!

Therefore, adjust the timer for 5-6 hours, and this can vary too depending on the meat type. After the time is set, put the chicken pieces in the smoker. Refrain from wrapping the meat in the foil, and smoking. This won’t allow the smoke to enter the food.

As an optional step, you can create a solution of water, vinegar, and the spices. Then apply it on the meat pieces, while the Smoking is going on. Cover and cook! And do not open the smoker unit now and then, this will only reduce the smoky flavor.

That’s it! Now you need to wait patiently till the time passes and the flavors get all set on the meat. The steps are simple. Still, you need to perform them with accuracy and complete endurance.

Hope you guys enjoyed reading this post on How to Smoke Meat – A Beginner’s Guide. Did you like our style of writing? Let us know in the comment section below. And till then, follow our page Smokerify for regular updates and other BBQ tips!

Which is the Best Charcoal for Smoking Meat – Our Top Choices

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Getting confused with buying the Best Charcoal for Smoking Meat? You must opt for such a charcoal that has got a lasting flavor on the meat, and the one which provides a steady heat. There are different types of coal available in the market, therefore, choosing the right one becomes difficult for a naive user. Find out your answer below.

Which is the Best Charcoal for Smoking Meat

Some people may recommend using Hardwood for the smoking purpose, while there are others who use charcoal for creating the heat in the smokers. But the main challenge comes now, and that is not all them are designed in the same manner.

The first step while searching for Charcoal is to avoid all the self-starting charcoals. They come with lighter fluid additives and helps in keeping the fuel burning for a longer time. This kind of coal is not good for the health, and not even suitable for the environment too.

Basic-Black-Coal

If you wish to go with a cheaper option, then get that type of coal which is free of any additives. Buy the basic black coal, which is as clean and simple as possible. Also, avoid those types which include any wood flavor in it. Get the basic charcoal with no added flavors in it.

 

Next, comes the maintenance of the coal. After getting the basic, clean coal, it is equally important to store it in the right manner. If the coal gets damp for any reason, then it won’t be of any use to you. The wet one does not burn well, and it may also give some weird flavor to the cooked meat.

To step up one level, go for the Lump Charcoal. They are the real wood pieces which have been treated with the charcoal. They give an authentic flavor to the meat and is found to be the best among all the Charcoal Types. This type can provide the flame for a longer time and is costly too. You can easily locate the lump variety at any place / store which sells the smoker and other BBQ equipment.

Points to Consider while Buying Lump Charcoal

Lump-Charcoal-For-Smoking

  • If you have selected one brand for buying Lump Charcoal, check the history of the brand. Look out for all the systems provided by the same company.
  • Say no to all the kinds of coals with any type of additives.
  • Check for the charcoals which are easy with the light up purpose.
  • Do you find any chemical smell on igniting it?
  • Look out for the coal which is consistent with the burning. There should be less fluctuations with the temperature and heat generated.
  • The amount of the ash produced after the burning, speak a lot about the quality.
  • Cost should be economical, don’t go for any costly variety available in the market.

Also to add, you have to try out different brands before finalizing the one charcoal product. Even the burn time is important to consider, so check for the duration of heat provided for the smoker. And finally test on all the coal lumps for consistent performance.

That’s it with the Charcoal Selection, you are all set to get started with your Smoker!