The first step to smoking meat is to make sure you have the right equipment. If you don’t, stop reading and go out and buy yourself a smoker. I recommend buying one that can do both pellet and charcoal smokers. There are many different types of smokers on the market, so it might be hard to choose which one to get. The most important thing is that your smoker has a temperature setting dial for how hot you want your meat.
We will talk about all three in this article, but before we start, there is something else you need to learn:
1. Don’t Buy A Cheap Pellet Smoker
You should always buy a good quality pellet smoker before you buy any other type of smoker. It’s better than nothing, but if you spend $500-$900 on a cheap pellet smoker, it won’t last very long. These things just aren’t built to last and break easily. If you spend even more money, it won’t hold up either, because they aren’t made from stainless steel. They are made from aluminum or an alloy, so they are not strong enough for heavy-duty use.
A good pellet smoker will cost anywhere from $300 to $3000, depending on what features you need. That means you should definitely get one that has at least two temperature settings (one low and one high), along with temperature control knobs and a digital readout. You also need to know that some models have a “keep warm” feature, where the cooking chamber stays on full power until the meat in the cooker reaches a specific internal temperature. This makes the whole process much easier because you don’t have to keep checking on it every five minutes.
2. Use Your Pellet Smoker Wisely
Before you turn on your pellet smoker and put the meat in it, you should put the pellets inside the hopper. Then you should put food into the meat cavity. You shouldn’t put the lid on until after you have filled the meat cavity with food. Don’t put the lid on until after the meat cavity is full. If you try to put the lid on before that, you could end up damaging the pellets inside the hopper.
Once you have everything ready, you should plug in your pellet smoker. Next, you should set the temperature controls to their lowest setting. You should not leave anything unattended during the entire cooking process. Always be around when the meat is going through the process. You don’t want to burn your meat!
If you have a large piece of meat, you should put it in the middle of the meat cavity, away from the edges. When you put the meat in the center, the heat radiates evenly throughout the meat. If you put the meat closer to the edge, the heat will radiate away from the meat faster, giving it less time to cook. As a rule, the longer the meat cooks, the tougher it gets.
3. Don’t Forget About The Bacteria
When you smoke meat, you are creating a low-oxygen environment. That means bacteria can grow quickly. If you don’t wash your hands frequently, you risk spreading bacteria to your meat. The same goes for cutting boards that aren’t sanitized often. Even though you may think you cleaned everything well, there is still a chance that bacteria can sneak onto them.
Also, make sure you clean your smoker well. You should clean the hopper and the meat cavity regularly. You should also change the water and cleaning solution every week. Make sure that the water isn’t too hot or cold. Cleaning the water filter is another essential part of keeping your smoker clean. Don’t forget to clean underneath the drip pan. Also, never use the same water or cleaning solution twice. You should do this each time you clean your smoker.
If you are worried about having enough space for your pellet smoker, make sure you store it properly. Pellets are small pieces of wood that are treated with chemicals. If you store them in your basement, they can get damp and moldy. Pellet smokers are best stored in a cool place like a garage or shed. The humidity level of these places should be lower than 70% relative humidity. If you need extra storage space, you can find a way to stack them upright. Just make sure you keep them dry, and store them properly.
Once you have all of this figured out, you are ready to smoke some meat. Here are a few tips for beginners who are trying to learn how to smoke meat:
Don’t overcook your meat. Start with medium rare and then let it rest.
Start by placing your meat on the bottom rack of your smoker. You can add sauces, seasonings, and other ingredients in between the racks. Make sure you cook it slowly and steadily, without stopping.
For the fastest results, you should only use a single rack. Check here for more information https://www.sfgate.com/market/article/best-pellet-smokers-17523054.php.
