Seven in 10 adults in the U.S own a grill or smoker.

It’s clear we’re passionate about gathering our loved ones and serving them delicious, well-smoked food. Perhaps you’ve recently bought a smoker and you want to learn the proper way to cook with it. Sound familiar?

If so, you’ve come to the right place. Here is our meat smoking guide complete with the top 10 tips.

1. Pre-Season Your New Smoker

Before you learn how to use a smoker, you must season it as it removes solvents or dust from the manufacturing process. The layer of smoke will leave a black coating that seals the inside of your smoker so it enhances the smokey richness when you cook. Plus, it protects your smoker from the elements so it has a longer lifespan.

You should also check out the benefits of reverse offset smokers as they’re fantastic when you’re catering to a large crowd.

2. Know Your Meat

You’ve learned how to cook with a smoker, now it’s time to learn more about what you’re cooking. Once you learn the nuances of each meat then you’ll know how to enhance its flavor and keep it moist while it smokes.

You must consider the meat’s composition (e.g. how much fat or muscle it has), color, and texture. Various cuts of meat react differently so if you’re smoking chicken then it’ll smoke quickly because it’s lean and will dry out. So be mindful when you smoke so it comes out perfect.

3. Consider Wood Options

One of the most important tips for smoking meat is choosing the right wood and knowing what it pairs with. For instance, cherry and apple woods work best with pork or poultry whereas mild woods complement fish dishes.

Try and get chunks of wood instead of chips because they’re less likely to flare up as you cook. Plus, avoid cooking with mesquite as it’s a pungent flavor alongside sap or pine as they’re toxic.

4. Control Your Vent Position

When cooking with a smoker, it’s important to keep your vent open regardless of whether you’re using electric or charcoal. You should also position the vent on the side opposite to the coals for the best ventilation.

Leaving your vent opens reduces the risk of creosote, the compound that produces the beloved smoking flavor, building up in your meat. Small amounts are necessary but a coating of creosote on your food will taste terrible. As a general rule, you should only close the vent when you’ve finished cooking and you want to raise the internal temperature.

5. Lay Foil on Your Grill Rack

No list of meat smoking tips is complete without mentioning this housekeeping trick. To make the cleanup easier, cover your heat deflector pan and drip pan with aluminum foil. This is because leftover grease on your grates will grow moldy which can ruin your meat and produce excessive smoke.

Not sure what to cover your meat in? Wrap it in peach butcher paper as it keeps your cut moist while giving your food that distinctive smokey flavor.

6. Go Slow and Low

The most important rule is to go slow and low so you get tender, delicious meat. It’s a labor of love so let the smoker run during the day so you can later enjoy the rewards. Pro tip: make sure there’s no sugar in your rub because it will burn if the smoker gets too hot.

7. Constantly Regulate the Heat

Your smoking shouldn’t fluctuate between hot or cold as it can tighten and dry out the meat. As a general rule, if you cook for over an hour with charcoal then throw a pan of water over it to stabilize the temperature and add essential humidity. But make sure you’re not constantly dousing the charcoal with water as it’ll ruin the food.

8. Aim For White Smoke

Watch the smoker and make sure it’s only producing white smoke as it’s clean. Plus, it covers your meat with the beautiful scent of smoldering wood. But if your food is directly over the fire then the juices will burn and the entire meal will be destroyed.

9. Let It Be

Although it’s tempting, avoid taking sneak peeks because you lose heat and smoke every time you open the lid. You should only do this add fire or charcoal, spritz the meat, or making sure it’s at optimal temperature.

Also avoid flipping the meat because, like an oven, the food must be cooked evenly on both sides.

10. Check With a Thermometer

Smoking meat for at least three hours is often enough but to double-check it’s thoroughly cooked with a thermometer especially if it’s chicken.

Temperatures vary depending on the meat so check a food temperature guide but generally, anything higher than 160 degrees Fahrenheit will kill most bacteria. But, to be safe, keep the smoker between 200 and 250 degrees Fahrenheit.

It’s important to note that pork or beef may have a pink interior but that doesn’t mean it’s raw as it’s common during the smoking process.

That’s Our Meat Smoking Guide

Hopefully, this meat smoking guide has taught you how to smoke your favorite cuts. The main rule is to let the smoker be and don’t constantly lift the lid to check what your brisket looks like, no matter how tempting.

You must also choose the right wood, keep the smoker’s vent open, and check your meat is cooked with a thermometer. Happy smoking!

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