East Coast Energy Products of Monmouth County shares information on smoker grills
Although you can make a fine smoker out of your weber grill, you're probably wondering if it's time to buy a smoker.
This is a question every #MeatGeek faces throughout their pursuit of exceptional tasting smoked meats. There are pros and cons to the idea, but can we say, if you're wondering about it, then the answer is probably yes. You're ready to buy a smoker if you love smoked meats, vegetables, and cheeses, and you find yourself cooking them, or wanting to, often.
A smoker is really just another kitchen appliance, similar to an oven or a stove, likewise, a smoker is an invaluable tool for any chef. It allows you to easily and steadily maintain a low temperature and captures the smoke in the best way to maximize flavor.
As we've discussed before, you can make a great smoker out of your charcoal grill. The charcoal makes it easy to produce smoke and maintain a low temperature. The design of these grills, assuming it has a lid, can capture and hold the smoke, but a grill needs constant hand-holding.
BENEFITS OF PURCHASING A SMOKER
Grill Space
One common problem with a charcoal grill is space. When you set up your grill as a smoker, the meat rests on half of the grill, away from direct heat, therefore, half of your grate space must remain empty. There are limits to what you can smoke, if you want more than one rack of ribs or if you have a large roast you won't be able to use your grill.
Maintaining Temperature
Another problem with grill smokers is temperature control. Maintaining a low and steady temperature takes a lot of time. You need to check your grill every 30 minutes to make sure the fire is still burning between the ideal temperatures of 225 - 250 degrees. Smoking foods is about maintaining a precise temperature for duration – babysitting a grill can get old pretty quick.
Smoky Flavor
Finally, while a grill works fine, all meat geeks agree a smoker produces better meat. The flavor is stronger because a smoker can capture, hold and circulate the smoke more efficiently. The smoke ring is evidence of that, meat cooked in a grill has a much lighter and thinner ring than meat out of a smoker.
SUMMARY: WHY BUY A SMOKER?
Gas Grills Don't Cut the Mustard
If you only have a gas grill, then you definitely need a smoker. The mechanics of gas grills do not make for a good smoker. They are designed to pump heat through the chambers, reaching high temperatures; not what you want when smoking. In addition, the air flow rate is high which makes capturing the smoke difficult. Without making adjustments and ongoing monitoring, smoking on a gas grill will dry out your meat.
Less Work and More Flavor with a True Smoker
If you are smoking once a month or would like to but turning your grill into a smoker is too much hassle, then you are ready to get a smoker. If you want your meat to go from good to great, then you are ready to get a smoker. When it comes to picking out the right smoker, shop around. There are three main types of smokers; in each of these main categories there are endless designs to choose from. With all these choices you can find the exact smoker that fits you, your cooking style and backyard just right. Below are a few smokers we would recommend as you can go wrong for the price.
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