| Charcoal Water Smokers | | | | with a cover, you will pass that one on to your kids! |
| Charcoal water smokers require more knowledge and | | | | If possible avoid sheet metal, unless you don't mind |
| attention to use than a gas or electric unit. However, | | | | throwing it away after a few years. However, folks |
| charcoal afficionadoes almost always insist that the | | | | that use cheaper smokers, and take care with them, |
| flavor of charcoal units are second to none. | | | | claim they get five or more years out of their |
| On the plus side they are less expensive and are the | | | | smokers. |
| ultimate in portability, no burners, bottles, or electrical | | | | Electric Water Smokers |
| cords to worry about. Taking safety into account | | | | An added safety feature is No Fire or Flammable Fuel |
| there is really no place a charcoal unit cannot be used. | | | | concerns. This is great if you have kids or pets. The |
| The most important thing that you must learn how | | | | biggest drawback is the requirement for a nearby |
| to master first of all is temperature control. Without | | | | electrical plug or extension cord so that the unit can |
| that, cooking any food in the smoker will be a chore, | | | | be powered. Expect to pay around $150.00 for a |
| so that is the first stop. | | | | good quality unit, such as those offered by |
| Following that, you will also need to pay close | | | | Brinkmann or Weber. |
| attention to the manufacturers guidelines, and work | | | | While many electric smokers have no temperature |
| out the most effective way to get the charcoal to | | | | adjustment, you will find that higher specified models |
| burn. Too much can mean too much heat, resulting in | | | | may have a "high" and "low" setting giving greater |
| burnt food, and too little fuel will result in low | | | | control during cooking. This is quite desirable, and the |
| temperatures and shortened cooking times. | | | | price difference between the two is relatively little. |
| New users of BBQ smokers will also have to observe | | | | The drawback of a non-adjustable electric smoker is |
| the effects of outdoor temperature, and how to | | | | that the heat level is effectively preset as it is |
| safely ignite the coal. The quickest and most efficient | | | | determined by how much wattage the heat element |
| way of starting a charcoal smoker is to use a | | | | draws. |
| chimney-style starter such as those made by Weber | | | | Lighting a charcoal smoker |
| or Char Broil. | | | | Charcoal: First, start with good, dry charcoal made of |
| Consider what type of vertical water smoker suits | | | | premium hardwoods, because they light easily, |
| your needs. Then buy the best quality model you can | | | | maintain a steady cooking temperature, and burn |
| afford. Quality, construction, and suitability to purpose | | | | longer. |
| will vary for each user. | | | | Lighter cubes: Second, to light briquettes safely and |
| A good quality smoker will have a big impact on your | | | | with minimum hassle, try Weber FireStarter lighter |
| food smoking enjoyment. You may find it useful to | | | | cubes. These solid fuel cubes light as easily as a |
| ask experienced smoker users for recommendations, | | | | birthday candle (even when wet!) and are odorless |
| and if the opportunity is available, try out some food | | | | and non-toxic, leaving no residue to mar the flavor of |
| they have smoked and use your tastebuds to decide. | | | | your delicious grilled meal. |
| If the food tastes great, then you are at least | | | | Chimney starter: Another handy tool is our Chimney |
| halfway there. | | | | Starter, which holds the coals in a cylinder for fast, |
| If you can, buy a dual-wall construction model, this | | | | easy lighting. |
| adds to the smoker's efficiency. Not only will you use | | | | Fill the canister-shaped starter with the proper |
| less fuel but the exterior walls are cooler, a nice | | | | amount of charcoal, place on the charcoal grate over |
| safety feature. | | | | two or three FireStarters cubes or crumpled |
| Look for quality construction. If you don't know what | | | | newspaper, ignite the cubes or paper, and let the |
| good quality looks like ask a friend who knows. | | | | coals burn until they have a coating of light grey ash |
| Check for straight and clean welds, thick metal, doors | | | | (about 25 to 30 minutes). |
| that open easily and secure tightly, and a high | | | | Pour the hot coals onto the charcoal grate and |
| temperature powder coat finish. Ask to see an | | | | arrange for Direct or Indirect cooking with |
| assembled unit and test it's stability. | | | | long-handled tongs. For safetys sake, wear heat |
| If you can afford it consider a stainless steel unit | | | | resistant grill mitts for peace of mind. |