How to Smoke Cook on an Outdoor BBQ Grill

Experienced outdoor BBQ grill users consider smoke cooking an art. Not only does the process require practice, but it is also best done manually, on charcoal grills rather than gas, and using wood chips or natural wood twigs and branches. Smoking your food can seem intimidating at first, but it gives your meat a distinctive flavor that is well worth the extra effort.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Grill (a charcoal grill is better)
• Wood chips or dry twigs (if available)
• Water

1. Make sure that you have enough wood chips or dry branches to light an outdoor fire. You will need enough to light the fire, plus extra wood to add in case the smoke starts to dwindle down.

2. Pre-soak the wood in cold water before placing it on the BBQ grill. This will increase the amount of smoke produced and enhance the flavor significantly. It will also reduce the amount of flames produced, so keep this in mind if it seems like the wood chips are not lighting properly.

3. Light the wood chips and wait for smoke to start flowing (and flames to disappear) before placing the lid on the grill. Once you cover the grill, do not open it again for at least 30 minutes to prevent the smoke from escaping.

4. Buy a smoker box if you have a gas grill. Smoker boxes (essentially a metal box with holes in it so the smoke can come out evenly) are made to place wood chips on gas grills without damaging the surface the grill.

5. Start with a small amount of wood chips. You can always add more later if you feel your BBQ grill can handle more smoke. The more smoke you produce, the faster your food will absorb the flavor and aroma of the wood.

Tips & Warnings

• When using your own wood, make sure it is clean. Dispose of any extra debris, green branches, plastic or items stuck in the branches. This will not only prevent flares but also ensure optimal flavor.
• Certain woods are better than others to smoke cook your food because of the flavor they provide. Hickory and cherry wood are especially good.
• Make sure that you have enough time to smoke your food. The process is slow and best suited for BBQs that don't require a quick cooking time.
• Only use the smoking technique to cook on outdoor grills. Not only is it dangerous to smoke cook inside, but it can also seriously damage your paint and furniture.