What’s That Smoking? 6 Easy Ways To Get Your BBQ “Smoke-On” at Home

Basics of BBQ #3

Courtesy of www.BBQCateringConfidential.com

THE 4 MOST COMMON WAYS TO SMOKE FOOD:

1. Manufactured and DIY Outdoor Grills

2. Outdoor/ Indoor Custom BBQ Smoke Pits

3. Indoor Electric Smokers/ Devices

4. Stove Top Smoking

OK. Maybe you don’t own a custom built or manufactured BBQ Smoker. Still, it can be easy to add fresh Wood Smoke flavor to your cooking at home. Smoking always adds a delicious new dimension to foods. There are literally Thousands (1000’s) of Makes, Models and Styles of BBQ Grills throughout the world. When you add in the wide variety of DIY BBQ Pits and Grill hybrids created by home GrillMasters, the number can easily be in the Millions. We see Hundreds of photos of unique, homemade BBQ Grill creations each week on Google+. Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.

Smoking has been used as a technique to preserve food for centuries. Along with natural Wood Smoke, cooks would also use some form of Salt or Sodium to cure meat. Of course, Salt adds plenty of flavor, but most Nutritionist’s agree that “Less is more”.  That is one of the reasons I made POWER Rub with much lower amounts of Sea Salt and Brown Sugar. We decided to produce HEROIC! with No Added Salt or Sugar.

 

When you are ready to add Smoke, here are 6 Easy Ways To Get Your BBQ “Smoke-On” at Home:

1. Outdoor Smokers or Custom Smoke Pits/ Boxes- Most common, really not too difficult to use once you get the hang of it. The more time you spend experimenting, the better you become at it.

2. Charcoal Grills- The more interior space the better, but any size will do. Whether using Wood Chips, Chunks, Pellets or Cubes- food comes out better by the use of Slow and Indirect Smoking. The technique will differ for each Grill. The best way to learn is to search “Indirect Smoking on (Add Your Model) Grill”. The internet shall reward you with a wealth of knowledge.

3. Gas/ Laser Grills- Indirect Smoking techniques differ with each model. Some have built-in smoker drawers, for others you can purchase a metal smoke box or tube. Or you could use an aluminum foil pan, or make your own foil basket (or “Hobo Pouch”). Another good occasion to search “Indirect Smoking on (Add Your Model) Grill”.

4. Electric Smokers- There is a good selection available for outdoor and indoor use. However, this category is a favorite for creative and inventive BBQ cooks all over the world. The fact is: you can use any high heat element or source to create natural wood smoke. The level/duration of smoking and chamber used makes all the difference. A good search would be “Homemade Electric Smokers”. You’ll be surprised by the DIY variety.

5. Stovetop Smoking- This technique is best used to add quick, natural Wood Smoke flavor to pre-cooked foods. Some Stovetop models are commercially available. This can be easily done DIY at home by using a dedicated Pot, Chip Pan and a Food Rack. Stovetop Tea Smoking has been used by Chefs around the world ever since stoves were invented.

6. Smoke Guns/ Countertop Chambers- These new devices are easy to use, but may be difficult to obtain for your kitchen. Each model comes with it’s own instructions. We are seeing them more and more on cooking shows. An affordable home version can’t be too far away in the future.

If you have never tried Smoking before, go ahead- try it today or the next time you cook. You don’t even need to fire up a Grill. Use the above methods to bring natural Wood Smoked flavor to everything from Chips, Nuts, to Seafood, Sausages, Hams, Turkeys and even Rotisserie Chickens. Go for it- get your “Smoke-On”! Until next time, Eat and Be Well.

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Thanks for being among the first to visit the new “Basics of BBQ” Series. I am happy to preview it here on the Blog. Some material will be used for a current book project, tentatively called “The BBQ Catering Confidential Cookbook”.  A version will also be shared on the California Gold BBQ Rubs Recipes Pages, under the New Owner’s Manual. Stay tuned, next time we will explore “Grilling vs. BBQ”.

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Mick Brown is a Food Blogger/Purveyor based in Los Angeles, with over 30 years BBQ and Grilling experience. Aside from Caterer and Private Grilling Instructor, his passions are creating Easy Grilling Recipes and searching for the World’s Best Flavors. General Manager of Tastee BQ Grilling Co. and the new California Gold BBQ Rubs. He is also author of web serial blog “The Adventures of Tastee BQ.” Email- Mick@TasteeBQ.com

To get started, here are Links to few Recipes with more detailed Smoking Instructions.

Short Story- “TasteeBQ Goes to the Superbowl” http://tasteebq.wordpress.com/2014/01/14/burgers-and-beyond-tasteebq-goes-to-the-super-bowl-ii/

Gas Smoking- http://www.patiodaddiobbq.com/2011/03/how-to-smoke-on-gas-grill.html

DIY Electric Smoking: “How to build a DIY Smoker”-http://tasteebq.wordpress.com/2013/08/30/make-diy-ceramic-bbq-pot-smoker-in-5-easy-steps-tasteebq-uses-gluten-free-bbq-rub-for-citrus-pulled-pork/

Stovetop Smoking: Rotisserie Chicken, Salmon- http://tasteebq.wordpress.com/2013/12/21/how-to-make-a-diy-stovetop-smoker-for-just-99-cents-tasteebqs-holiday-recipes-for-smoked-nuts-and-salmon/

Facebook- The Austrian Smokers:  https://www.facebook.com/AustrianSmokers

 Video “Indirect Smoking: Smoking Mussels, Oysters and Bacon”- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2K78HE89N-c

 

Courtesy of California Gold BBQ Rubs–  www. CaliforniaGoldRub.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CaliforniaGoldBBQRubs

California Gold BBQ Rubs on Amazon.com

POWER (Lower Salt and Sugar) http://www.amazon.com/California-Gold-BBQ-Power–10oz/dp/B00CVCMR88

HEROIC! (No added Salt or Sugar) http://www.amazon.com/HEROIC-BBQ-Gluten-Free-Added/dp/B00IEEYCNA