What is a Smoker BBQ
A smoker BBQ offers the best of both worlds, great BBQ food, plus the added benefit of a smoker. We should probably start by explaining the difference between barbecuing food and smoking it. In normal UK usage we refer to barbecuing as the fast cooking of food directly over a high heat, whereas in the US barbecuing refers to a slow process using indirect heat (similar in some ways to roasting). Smoking refers to a particular form of BBQing, where the food is cooked by hot smoke being drawn past the meat by convection. This results in a very slow form of cooking. This is sometimes called hot smoking and is how most US barbecue restaurants cook their food.
In a smoker BBQ, there is generally a standard BBQ (which can be powered by charcoal, gas or electricity) with an apparatus called a smoker (with seperate fire box) added to the side of the BBQ. These are called horizontal smoker BBQs.
Before you invest in a standalone smoker barbecue remember you can smoke food on any BBQ with a lid, so try it out before buying a dedicated model. All you will require are wood chips which can be placed directly on the fire or make a pouch out of tin foil with 2 small holes on each side for the smoke to escape from. For best results place a handful of wood chips or wood pellets in a smoker box which is placed directly on the fire to produce a steady flow of rich smoke.
Smoker BBQ Manufacturers
There are many smoker BBQ manufacturers. If you really want to produce the very best smoked meat you should consider a vertical smoker (such as the Brinkmann which is considered the Rolls Royce of smokers), however if you like to BBQ and just want to smoke occasionally then a horizontal smoker like one of the Chargrill horizontal smoker models would be a good bet. Here are some of the popular producers you will come across when looking for a BBQ smoker. Remember you can often find better prices by searching online:
- Bayou Classic
- Bradley Smoker
- Brinkmann
- Bull
- Char-Broil
- Char-Griller
- Charcoal Companion
- DCS
- Fire Magic
- Landmann
- Lynx
- Masterbuilt
- Weber
Buying a smoker BBQ could be one of the best investments you make for you and your family and save you a fortune on restaurant meals.