Cooking Techniques

Smoking spare ribs is a fairly straightforward process involving three ideas: (1) slow cooking, (2) using a low temperature and (3) using smoke for flavoring and heat. Amazing things happen to...

Wood smoke imparts a rich flavor to foods that many people enjoy. Smoking is associated with outdoor grilling, though the flavor of smoke can be created at home in a typical oven. The idea may...

The convenience of a gas grill over charcoal is readily apparent. With gas, there is no need to struggle with lighting coals---simply turn the grill on and you're ready to cook almost instantly....

Wood-burning ovens might seem difficult and intimidating to operate at first. Yet once you get the hang of firing and regulating the oven temperature, they are relatively easy to use, even for the...

A wood burning stove adds warmth to the home and while it's hot, there's no reason not to exploit the heat in other ways, such as by cooking a meal. A pizza is perhaps the easiest (and least...

Grillers who use gas grills can achieve a more traditional smoky grilled flavor by adding wood chips to their backyard repertoire. Adding wood to the grilling process will enhance the flavor of...

The Charbroil Electric Smoker is an inexpensive smoker that is good at low- temperature smoking. The smoker uses water to moderate the temperature and keep it around 225 degrees F, perfect for...

While you probably use your gas grill most often for direct cooking at relatively high temperatures, it is not difficult to create the low temperatures and indirect heating conditions needed to...

If you want to smoke a brisket or other meat "Texas style," you will want to use a Texas smoker, which is simply a charcoal or wood-burning barbecue smoker that is separate from the smoking...

Cooking fish on a cedar plank is a cultural tradition of Native American tribes of the Pacific Northwest and has recently been gaining popularity among home chefs. Cedar plank cooking over the...

Alder wood is great for making cabinets, dressers and other types of furniture, but it is also one of the best types of wood to use for smoking. It is more sweet than other common smoking woods,...

It was once possible to only smoke food during grilling if you used a smoking tank. With attachable smoking boxes, you can smoke food on almost any size grill. Wood smoker chips are popular among...

The taste of meat cooked over an open flame is loved by people around the world. This taste is not produced by merely cooking meat outdoors or by the open flame itself. The smoke from the...

Wood burning ovens are critical to making a fresh, crispy Italian-style pizza. While these were once the exclusive property of restaurants, wood burning pizza ovens are available for savvy home...

Blue Ember Grills manufactures a line of gas grills that include a built-in smoker box. This cast-iron box holds pre-soaked wood chips that add a smoky flavor to foods that may be lacking an...

Steamed clams, dipped in melted butter and served with potatoes and corn on the cob are a summertime tradition. Creating a carefree feast on the beach is simplified by the availability of seaweed,...

Large smoker grills are designed to slow-cook big cuts of meat for long periods of time while holding their heat. Quality smokers are typically made of cast iron or heavy-gauge steel to withstand...

A Traeger grill uses wood pellets to heat food and gives you another option for your outdoor cooking besides charcoal or gas grills. In the winter, cold air affects the cooking time of your food,...

Barbecuing is the process of cooking meat with smoke and heat. This process produces tender, succulent beef, pork, poultry and fish imbued with the smoky flavor of the wood. You need a heavy grill...

Food smoking is a long-standing tradition among those who love good barbecued food. The smoky taste of food prepared in a wood smoker cannot be duplicated with any other cooking method. Building...

Wood burning stoves are much more efficient cookers than you may realize. True they take some getting used to, and you may have to enjoy a few failures before you achieve success, but mastering...

Using the right wood for smoking and cooking greatly enhances the flavor of any meat you prepare on a barbecue grill. Mesquite wood chips add a smoky and slightly sweet aroma, and have long been...

Adding smoked flavor to beef steaks, wild game or chicken creates a whole new sensation for the palette. Smoking is also great for making jerky. It takes some effort and time to produce quality...

Humans have used wood fire cooking for thousands of years. In fact, up until about a hundred years ago, wood was the main fuel used for cooking. Now, charcoal and propane grills are much more...

Cooking over an open fire is a time-honored tradition that can provide a special experience for you and your dinner guests. The choice of wood is an important first step, as the wood imparts...

During my travels I have came across many challenges. At one point I was given a large thing of lasagna, but had no way to cook it. I was in a strange town in which I knew not a soul, so I could...

When people think of BBQ they think of spare ribs. Ribs are the classic BBQ item, offering the best of outside cooking. The problems is actually BBQ ribs and most people shy away from doing it. It...

To some people, barbecuing is an art form. Whether it is pork or beef, ribs or brisket, Memphis style or Carolina, one thing that people who really know barbecue will never argue about is the need...

You got your new smoker all put together and you are ready to go! Right? Not quite... Before you use it to cook food the first time, you must "season" your smoker. Doing this will...

Electric smokers combine the convenience of an electric unit with the tasty flavor of smoked foods. For the best results, you need to use the right wood and prepare your food with a choice...

Unlike grilling meat, which involves searing at a high temperature, smoking meat involves cooking slowly and steadily over a long period of time. This is a popular method for barbecuing, and...

In summer months, when the weather is nice, grilling allows you to enjoy your patio while preparing delicious meals for family and friends. Gas grills are quick and convenient. For grillers who...

With some simple steps, and supplies you most likely have on hand, you can convert your gas grill into a smoker and wow the neighborhood with your tasty new dishes.

The early Native Americans in the Pacific Northwest really started something when they speared their fish to pieces of wood and cooked their game over an open fire. Now hundreds of years later,...

Wood Smoked Ham is a family favorite and popular at the parties. We always prefer our Ham smoked over traditional oven baked. Smoking the Ham captures the flavor and holds the juices

Smoked cheese is a delicious and satisfying appetizer as the prelude to an elegant dinner or as a meal in itself with crackers, fresh fruit and a bottle of wine. The cheese is prepared by a "cold...

Cooking with wood chips brings the flavor of your food to a whole new level. It is easy to do and requires almost no additional effort. You will impress everybody at your next barbecue by using...

Chipotles are smoked jalapeno peppers that are used in many traditional Mexican dishes. They provide not just the heat of a chili but also a wonderful smoky flavor for moles, salsas and other...

Cold smoking is how bacon is made. Just like bacon, you have to cook your cold smoked meat before eating it. Cold smoking meats is a time-intensive undertaking. Cold smoking requires relatively...

The preparation of a pig before it goes in a roaster, on a barbecue spit or on the grill is very important to the overall flavor of the pork. Be creative and stuff it with some vegetables or...

What was once the only type of oven available, wood ovens are now making a comeback for outdoor kitchens. Generally made of stone, brick or concrete, wood ovens are commonly used for bread baking,...

Smokers are designed in many sizes and shapes. Some are the size of an outdoor grill, while others are small enough to use on your stovetop. You can vary the flavor of your smoked meats by...

A propane smoker allows barbecue connoisseurs the luxury of smoking meats in their own backyards. Propane affords the convenience of a steady, reliable fire source, which gives the chef more time...

Smoking ham and bacon, or any other type of meat, is not a necessary process, but one done to add additional flavoring to the meat. Many people prefer a smoked taste, and smoked meats can be...

Barbecue smokers are different from grills. A grill uses direct heat, placing the food directly over the coals. A smoker has two chambers, separating the heat from the food and allowing the food...

Ham is an ideal meat to prepare for holiday gatherings or just for a fun family dinner. Although you can purchase your own cured and smoked ham from a grocery store, it is much more flavorful and...

Setting up your smoker is easier than you might think. You will need to make a brine for your meat to soak in overnight, start with the right amount of charcoals, use water soaked wood and watch...

Cooking a turkey on a gas grill takes a little more work than cooking it in the oven, but it is worth the effort because the meat ends up with a delicious, smoky flavor. One note of caution when...

Many barbecue chefs swear by smokers. Barbecue smokers use low heat and long cooking times to prepare meat, as opposed to more traditional cooking methods that rely on high heat. Those who prefer...

Meat smokers trap smoke to trap flavor and juices in cooking meat. Smoke from burning wood, often a flavored or special type of wood, infuses its aroma into the meat, fish or vegetables by...