How to Use Smoker Barbecues

Smoker barbecues are popular for the succulent scent and flavor that is given to the meat by the barbecue. Using a smoker can make meats and fish turn from ordinary to extraordinary. With a few helpful tips, you can be the hero of your next backyard barbecue.

Items you'll need:

• Smoker barbecue


• Grill utensils


• Matches


• Wood chips


• Water


• Food to cook


• Marinade


• Charcoal


• Meat themometer

Step 1: Choose the meat that you wish to cook. Beef, ribs, chicken and fish all do exceptionally well in a smoker. Marinate your meat for several hours before it is time to cook. Allow the marinade time to work itself into the meat.

Step 2: Take your wood chips and soak them in a bucket of water for at least an hour. Hydrating your wood chips will allow the flavorful smoke to rise up from the fire and permeate the meat. 

Step 3: Lay charcoal at the bottom of your smoker and light the briquettes with your matches. Allow the coals to burn down and ash over. Once they do, lay the soaked wood chips over the ashen coals. This will release the smoke into the barbecue.

Step 4: Take the meat and place it inside the smoker. Allow the meat to cook inside of the smoker for at least two hours; depending on the type of meat you may need to leave it in for longer. Resist the urge to constantly open the lid to the smoker. Doing so will release heat and smoke, which will then increase the time you will need to cook.  

Step 5: When your meat reaches an internal temperature of 160 degrees, use your grilling utensils to remove the meat from the smoker. The Food and Drug Administration warns that eating undercooked meats can be dangerous, so use a meat thermometer to test for doneness.