An outdoor smoker is a cooking appliance that you can use outdoors to cook your foods slowly and with a smoky flavor. It is a great cooking apparatus that can cook food over an extended period. It holds the smoke around the food for even and flavor-packed barbecue cooking. Outdoor smokers vary largely with a variety of styles within it. You can also use different fuel or power sources for different types of smokers. They vary on the basis of ease of use and heat control.
Types of Outdoor Smokers
Vertical Water Smokers
Vertical smokers like the best-ranking Weber Cooker are popular among beginners. They are the most affordable and easy-to-use smokers. These smokers are ideal for you if you’re running tight on space. These smokers are efficient and comprise of three components, a firebox, a water pan, and a smoking chamber. They weigh less than 50 pounds and are portable, making them a favorite at barbecue parties.
Electric Outdoor Smokers
These smokers like Masterbuilt MB20071619 are incredibly convenient as you do not have to check them frequently. Put your meat once and let it cook without any interruption. Once the cooking cycle is complete the appliance automatically shuts off. The only flipside here is that you won’t get the smoky flavor of coals and wood.
Outdoor Smokers Oven
Smoker ovens let you control the temperature precisely allowing beginners to use them easily. Their functioning is similar to that of electric smokers.
Horizontal Offset Charcoal Smokers
Horizontal offset charcoal smokers come in two parts. They have a cooking chamber and a firebox. You can access the firebox through the designated doors. The smokes generated here are then transferred to the main chamber for cooking. You can also adjust the temperature while the food is cooking. It is advised to rotate your meat for proper grilling. These can cost you anywhere from USD 1000 to USD 5000.
The PK Grills PKO-SCAX-X has got excellent reviews for its grill and smoker combo design This model is made of durable aluminum material and offers a cooking surface of 300 square inches.
Box Outdoor Smokers
Box outdoor smokers are also known as cabinet and vault smokers. The temperature control in such smokers is located inside. Available in inexpensive variants, you can conveniently reload these smokers without opening the door.
Factors to Consider while Buying an Outdoor Smoker
Temperature Control
Few variants provide you with a convenient feature like digital temperature control. This helps you save time significantly as well as control the temperature precisely. There are also others that require you to check and control the temperature frequently for better cooking.
Easy Cleaning
No one wants to spend hours cleaning a smoker. A drip pan might be efficient in collecting all the residues but internal cleaning is also important. One should always go with a model that can be cleaned without a lot of effort.
Cost
An outdoor smoker can require you to spend as low as USD 100 to as high as USD 26000. We recommend you identify your requirements and splurge accordingly. The prices also vary based on the features and styles offered. You can go with models like PK Grills Charcoal BBQ Grill and Smoker Combo if you want a multi-functional appliance.
Portability
Wheels can make your smoker portable, helping you move it anywhere in your backyard and lawn. You can consider going with a portable smoker if you’re going on a vacation and want to store it and keep it packed for some time. Portable grills are easy-to-use appliances that you can buy for outdoor cooking. Make sure you buy the top-quality models from portable grill bestsellers for 2021.
How Does an Outdoor Smoker Work?
An outdoor smoker works by gradually heating meat and other food items to offer distinctive BBQ smoker flavor. It uses smoke produced by fuel to provide consistent heat. The foods are not directly placed over the fire or burning fuels. Indirect heat supply results in the slow cooking of foods. The internal temperature of foods is increased to match with the surrounding air or smoke.
Can You Grill on a Smoker?
The answer is yes. You can grill on a smoker by increasing the cooking temperature to over 400F. It is easy to grill your meats and other foods in the smoker, but it may take you from 1 hour to up to 6 hours to finish your cooking process. The charcoal and gas smokers are fast to operate. You can also get grilled meats in the electric variant, but it can take more time. Read our blog to find the best small pellet grill for smoking and grilling.
Does a Smoker Cook the Meat?
The answer is yes. You can slow-cook meats in the smoker. The foods are not cooked by directly placing them over the fire. They are fully cooked by hot smoking. This adds smoky flavor to your meats.
You can also look for a smoker and grill combo in a single appliance. The reviews of PK Grills Smoker Combo show that it is one of the top-selling smoker cookers in the market.
Conclusion
Outdoor smokers are popular in outdoor gatherings, camping, and outdoor theme parties. You need to make proper use of all the features to profit from your purchase. A good smoker can help you cook any type of meat with finesse.
Another gadget that can replace outdoor smokers is a grill. A grill can be used for the same purpose, except it will require lesser heat and a shorter time to cook. BestViewsReviews rates and reviews hundreds of propane grills and charcoal grills on the basis of their quality and durability.