Why Choose a Grill with a Smoker
For all enthusiasts of barbecue or smoked meat, it’s a great idea to pick up a quality grill with a smoker. First, it’s important to know the difference between a smoker and a traditional grill. While a grill cooks food using fire, a smoker instead cooks the food using smoke. Smokers also use lower temperatures than grills and cook foods more slowly. This is what gives smoked foods a distinct, rich, smoky flavor.
That all sounds great, but don’t run out and buy a grill with a smoker just yet! It’s also important to understand the different types of smokers on the market. The meat smoker you decide to buy will depend on your budget, preferred method of cooking, and individual taste.
In this Article
Without further ado, let’s dive into the world of outdoor cooking!
Types of Grills with a Smoker Built In
BBQ Propane Smokers
This is one of the most common types of grill with a smoker. Propane smokers are a great choice for outdoor cooking enthusiasts who want a convenient way to smoke meat. This type of smoker allows for easy heat control since all you need to do is turn a dial. Propane smokers come in all different styles and sizes, so you can easily find one that fits your price range and complements your tastes. They require less maintenance than other smokers, making them a fantastic choice for those new to outdoor cooking!
Camping Stove Top Smoker
If you’re looking for a convenient and highly portable grill with a smoker, a camping stove top smoker is a great choice. This smoker is designed to be placed on top of a campfire grill, gas burner, or other heat source. Its small size makes it an excellent addition to your camping supplies if you’re short on space.
Pellet Grills
If you’re interested in a more authentic smoking experience and you’re willing to spend some money to get it, consider looking into buying a pellet grill. Rather than using gas, this smoker uses wood pellets as a fuel source. Most pellet grills come equipped with a control panel that allows you to easily change the temperature. You can also buy special wood pellets in flavors like hickory and barbeque to use for your pellet grill, giving you even more customization of your smoking experience.
Charcoal Smokers
Charcoal smokers are similar to pellet grills, but they involve fire instead of electricity. This makes charcoal smokers more difficult to use and maintain than pellet grills. But many people enjoy the hands-on approach to smoking that charcoal smokers offer. If you enjoy tending to a fire and don’t mind a highly involved smoking process, a charcoal grill with a smoker may be the right choice for you!
Barbecue Grills
While a barbecue grill is not technically a smoker, barbecue grilling is still similar enough to smoking to warrant a mention. Barbecue grills are the main choice for outdoor cooking and for good reason. They come in all shapes and sizes, and range from small, portable appliances to large barbecues used for commercial purposes.
Barbecue grills are highly versatile and can be used to grill meat, vegetables, fish, and much more. Even though they are different than smokers, some barbecues will still leave your meat grilled with a distinct smoky flavor. If you decide to purchase a barbecue grill, it’s also a good idea to look into some accessories, like a BBQ cover to prevent your grill from getting wet in the rain.
Another great accessory is a barbecue griddle. Also called griddle pans, these are flat cooking surfaces that you place on a grill to cook things that would otherwise fall through the spaces. With this useful accessory, you can make fried eggs on your barbecue, as well as fry small pieces of meat or vegetables.
BBQ Coleman Smokers
Coleman is a manufacturer known for high-quality grills and grill with a smoker. Coleman smokers come in both the propane-fueled and pellet grill variety, so you have a wide selection to choose from! In addition to smokers, Coleman also produces smoke generators. This simple and affordable accessory can be used to transform your grill into an impromptu smoker!
Barbecue Napoleon Smokers
Napoleon is another manufacturer that produces barbecues, grills, and smokers. One notable product is their 3-in-1 Charcoal Grill and Water Smoker, which can be used for grilling, hot smoking, and cold smoking. Napoleon is also a good place to look for grills and other outdoor cooking products.
Kamado Grills
Many people haven’t heard of Kamado grills, but they’re versatile devices that allow you to smoke, grill, and even bake various foods. This type of grill originated in Japan but is now found worldwide. While this round-topped grill is not the cheapest nor the easiest smoker to use on this list, its versatility makes it a popular choice for outdoor cooking enthusiasts around the world.
Outdoor Grilling Tips
Now that you know the different types of smokers there are, here are some useful tips for grilling and smoking outdoors!
- Keep your grill with a smoker clean. A dirty grill will affect the taste of your meat and also may attract harmful bacteria. Use a wire brush to clean more effectively. Be sure to clean your grill after every use!
- Keep your lid closed! You may be tempted to check your meat often, but it’s best to keep your grill’s lid closed most of the time. This will ensure a steady temperature and a quicker smoking or grilling process.
- Use a thermometer. When cooking meat, always make sure it has gotten to the right temperature before eating it. A meat thermometer is the quickest way to ensure your meat is properly cooked.
- Experiment! While meat is the most common food people associate with smoking, you can also smoke vegetables, cheese, and even chocolate!
- Bring essential tools and accessories while you’re camping. This may include BBQ lighters, covers, griddles, wood pellets, or other BBQ parts.
- Safety first! Don’t leave your grill or smoker unattended, and always have a means of extinguishing a fire if you need to.
How to Use a Charcoal Smoker – Arrange for a “Low and Slow” Cook
Getting Started on your Grill with a Smoker
If you’ve spent any amount of time looking into outdoor cooking, you’ve heard of smoking meat. This is a technique of cooking meat using smoke instead of flames, which leaves the meat with a distinct smoky flavor that many can’t get enough of. This is usually done with a meat smoker, and charcoal smokers are some of the most common meat smokers you’ll find.
In the world of outdoor cooking, charcoal smokers are known for giving the meat a highly authentic smoky flavor and aroma. Many people will attest that no other smokers can compare with the delicious taste of meat cooked in a charcoal smoker.
Charcoal smokers are a bit more hands-on than other smokers. While pellet grills and BBQ propane smokers regulate their own temperatures, charcoal smokers require you to manually adjust and maintain the temperature by opening and closing vents. It’s a far cry from electric smokers, where you can simply set your temperature and wait for your meat to be done. But for many charcoal smoker owners, tending to the temperature is part of the appeal, like keeping a campfire going.
“Low and Slow” Cooking
One common practice with barbecue grills and smokers alike is “low and slow” cooking. Whether you’re using natural gas or wood chips, outdoor cookers know that the best way to produce succulent, smoky meat is by cooking it for a long time at a low temperature. While this method requires patience and skill, it’s certainly worth learning. Through low and slow cooking, you can impress your friends and family and also make some truly excellent food!
Gather Your Parts
Before you begin, make sure you have all the parts you need. This includes a BBQ lighter to start the fire, a wire brush to clean your smoker afterward, and a griddle pan if you’re smoking small pieces of meat that might fall through the grill. You can find griddles, lighters, and more at any BBQ store.
Prepare the Charcoal, Wood, and Water
Now you’ll gather your charcoal and put it into your smoker’s chamber. Then, add some small pieces of hickory wood or other flavored wood chips to the chamber. This will gradually release smoke and give your meat a mouthwatering smoky flavor! You may have heard before that you should soak these wood pieces in water first, but this isn’t actually necessary
Many charcoal smokers also have a place to put a water pan. This water will evaporate during the cooking process, adding moisture to the meat and allowing the smoke to really soak in. Some people like to get creative and use apple juice or even beer in this pan instead of water!
Start your Outdoor Grill or Smoker on Low Heat
As “low and slow” suggests, you’ll want to set your grill or smoker to low heat. Aim for a temperature between 200°F and 250°F. If you’re using an electric smoker you can just set the temperature on a digital control panel or dial, but if you’re using a charcoal smoker, temperature control is a skill to be learned and practiced.
After starting a fire in your smoker, you’ll need to use your smoker’s vents to reach the appropriate temperature. Then you can use a grill surface thermometer to monitor the temperature and make adjustments as needed. Keep in mind that the weather outside and even the wind can affect your smoker’s temperature. You’ll need to add more charcoal and refill your water pan throughout the process.
Put your Meat in the Smoker
Before putting your meat in the smoker, trim excess fat and apply some seasoning. Then, carefully place the meat onto the grates of your smoker. Close the lid and allow your meat to cook. Aside from opening the lid to check your meat, keep the lid closed to preserve heat. Remember, in a low and slow cook, patience is key!
Monitor the Temperature
Throughout the process, periodically check the temperature of your smoker to ensure it is at an appropriate temperature. Keep in mind that your meat will likely take several hours to cook, so don’t rush the process! If you’re using a barbecue griddle, this may increase the amount of time your meat takes to cook.
While you wait, don’t be afraid to replace your charcoal and wood chips as necessary. This will ensure your meat achieves maximum smokiness!
Remove the Meat
Once your meat has reached the desired internal temperature, carefully remove it from the grill and allow it to sit for at least 10 minutes before serving. This allows the meat juices to soak throughout, improving the succulent, smoky flavor. Then, serve your delicious creation with your favorite barbecue sauce or side dishes! Smoked meat is an excellent addition to any camping meal.
Clean your Smoker and Protect it with a BBQ Cover
It’s important to clean your grill with a smoker after every use! First, allow your smoker to cool, then empty the ashes and leftover wood or charcoal. Then wipe the inner surfaces with a damp cloth and do the same with the grates. Allow it to dry, then cover it with a BBQ cover to protect it from dirt, dust, and rain. Properly cleaning and covering your smoker will increase its longevity and keep you smoking meat for years to come!
In Conclusion – Using a grill with a smoker
Low and slow cooking with a charcoal or propane grill with a smoker is not the simplest or easiest process, but once you sink your teeth into some delicious smoky meat you’ll realize it’s a worthwhile skill to learn. But keep in mind you can still do a low and slow cook without a smoker. The meat won’t have the same smoky flavor, but you can still achieve a mouthwatering juicy texture using just a portable barbecue grill.
You can find smokers, camping grills, and barbecues for sale at any BBQ shop, or at our online store here. No matter your outdoor cooking or camper equipment needs, RV Part Shop has you covered!
Outdoor cooking is one of the best parts of camping. Before you start, you should understand the different types of grills and smokers available on the market. By learning about these products, you can buy the right one for you based on your budget and preferred style of cooking.
