How to Use a Texas Smoker

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 chamber. There are Texas-style smokers in a wide variety of sizes and prices, so you should have no problem finding one that suits your family size as well as your budget. Once you obtain the ideal Texas smoker, it is time to learn how to use it.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Wood or charcoal
• Chimney starter

1. Prepare your Texas smoker for use. If you have to assemble the smoker yourself, it is imperative that you install the firebox grates as directed in order to protect the bottom of the smoker. Cure the smoker prior to cooking meat in it, otherwise it will take on the flavor of the grease, fresh paint or other industrial compounds. To cure the smoker, load wood or charcoal into the firebox and start a fire. Once the fire temperature reaches about 400 degrees Fahrenheit, open the vents and cool the temperature to about 250 degrees. Burn the fire for several hours to remove contaminants.

2. Start a fire properly in the smoker. Most Texas smokers call for wood, which you should start with three or four small logs and then supplement with more wood as the fire gets hotter. If you decide to use charcoal, use a chimney starter, which resembles a flour sifter or coffee can and will help you start the fire without lighter fluid. Once the fire is burning unaided and the cooking surface of the smoker has reached about 400 degrees Fahrenheit, adjust the vents to limit the oxygen and reduce the flames. Regulate the fire until the cooking surface temperature reaches 225 to 250 degrees Fahrenheit.

3. Line the water pan with foil prior to filling it with water. This will make cleanup much easier, because meat drippings will fall into the water pan. Fill the pan with water and place it into the smoker.

4. Prepare the meat by rubbing it with seasonings or spices, if desired. Place the meat on the Texas smoker and close the lid.

5. Smoke the meat. The length of time it takes to prepare meat in a Texas smoker depends on the size and type of meat. Most cuts of meat and poultry take between four and eight hours to cook on a smoker. Monitor the smoker, adding wood or charcoal once an hour. About 30 minutes before the meat is done, add barbecue sauce or other liquid sauces, if desired. Adding it any earlier will char the sauce and alter the flavor of the meat.

References

• Household Smoker Guide
• The Best Alternative - A Wood Smoker
• Smoking Meat and Poultry

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