By Alexander Sutton
There are almost as many models of smokers to choose from as there are people who want to buy them. There is a lot of room for personal preference when you are choosing your new smoker. But a few things are absolute must haves. These top 10 features of the best barbecue smokers will help you select a quality smoker within your own personal preferences.
1.) An accurate thermometer is mandatory. You will use it to time your cooking, to decide when to add fuel or adjust the temperature and to determine when the food is done. If the thermometer that comes with your smoker is not accurate (which many of them are not, no matter how much you pay for the smoker), buy one separately. It is worth the purchase price.
2.) Wheels are important. If you use your smoker on a wood deck, wheels will make it easy to put the smoker next to the railing when it is not in use and move it out and away from the wood when you are ready to use it.
3.) A finish that is easy to keep clean is more important than one that looks good in the store. Picture how it will look after a few months in the weather and after it has been cooked in many times. If you are willing to keep a stainless steel model bright and shiny, they look fantastic. If you are not much for cleaning up, a matte black finish will look better when it gets some wear on it.
4.) A well written user's manual will teach you a lot of things about your smoker that may take months to figure out on your own. From assembly of the smoker to every day use, a good user's manual will likely safe you some costly mistakes.
5.) A tightly sealing lid is necessary to keep the internal temperature of the smoker steady. If the lid does not seal tightly, you will loose a lot of heat and smoke flavor. It will also use up more fuel and it will take longer for your food to cook.
6.) A bowl for drippings is important. It will help you keep the area clean, and the drippings are useful for a lot of things. Even if you will just discard them, make sure you have a drip plan in place.
7.) A firebox suitable for direct grilling will save you the money and space of having two separate units.
8.) Vents that are easy to adjust. Keep them well oiled.
9.) A rack for the coals will allow air to circulate around the coals and keep the fire going longer. It will also help to light the fuel you add during cooking.
10.) A cover for the smoker may not come with your model, but buy one at the same time. It will help your smoker last longer and look better.
These top 10 features of the best barbecue smokers will help you make a purchase that you will enjoy for many years.
There are almost as many models of smokers to choose from as there are people who want to buy them. There is a lot of room for personal preference when you are choosing your new smoker. But a few things are absolute must haves. These top 10 features of the best barbecue smokers will help you select a quality smoker within your own personal preferences.
1.) An accurate thermometer is mandatory. You will use it to time your cooking, to decide when to add fuel or adjust the temperature and to determine when the food is done. If the thermometer that comes with your smoker is not accurate (which many of them are not, no matter how much you pay for the smoker), buy one separately. It is worth the purchase price.
2.) Wheels are important. If you use your smoker on a wood deck, wheels will make it easy to put the smoker next to the railing when it is not in use and move it out and away from the wood when you are ready to use it.
3.) A finish that is easy to keep clean is more important than one that looks good in the store. Picture how it will look after a few months in the weather and after it has been cooked in many times. If you are willing to keep a stainless steel model bright and shiny, they look fantastic. If you are not much for cleaning up, a matte black finish will look better when it gets some wear on it.
4.) A well written user's manual will teach you a lot of things about your smoker that may take months to figure out on your own. From assembly of the smoker to every day use, a good user's manual will likely safe you some costly mistakes.
5.) A tightly sealing lid is necessary to keep the internal temperature of the smoker steady. If the lid does not seal tightly, you will loose a lot of heat and smoke flavor. It will also use up more fuel and it will take longer for your food to cook.
6.) A bowl for drippings is important. It will help you keep the area clean, and the drippings are useful for a lot of things. Even if you will just discard them, make sure you have a drip plan in place.
7.) A firebox suitable for direct grilling will save you the money and space of having two separate units.
8.) Vents that are easy to adjust. Keep them well oiled.
9.) A rack for the coals will allow air to circulate around the coals and keep the fire going longer. It will also help to light the fuel you add during cooking.
10.) A cover for the smoker may not come with your model, but buy one at the same time. It will help your smoker last longer and look better.
These top 10 features of the best barbecue smokers will help you make a purchase that you will enjoy for many years.
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