How to Make a Horizontal BBQ Smoker
A horizontal BBQ smoker can be made from a variety of materials, some more difficult to build with than others. The most popular horizonal smokers are constructed from large propane tanks and oil drums, but with these materials, the builder will need considerable knowledge of working with metal and welding. For beginners, an easier horizontal BBQ smoker construction is available; it requires little to no skills and less time. This smoker is built by using the body of a large horizontal charcoal grill. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Large horizontal charcoal grill
- Grill lid with vents
- Ready-light charcoal
- Matches
- Small chunks of hard wood
- Large aluminum pan
- Water
- Cooking grate
- Temperature gauge
Instructions
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1
Remove the cooking grate from the charcoal grill.
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2
Pour the ready-light charcoal into the grill, and to one side. You will want to use approximately one pound of charcoal when using a large horizontal charcoal grill. Ignite the charcoal with a match. Allow the coals to burn down; this will take roughly 15 minutes.
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3
Fill the large aluminum pan with water. Be sure not to fill it to the brim of the pan. Filling it halfway will work just fine. Place the pan into the grill on the other side of the charcoal.
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4
Add a small chunk of hard wood such as oak or hickory to the hot coals. The chunk of wood should be at least 5 to 6 inches long. Don't use soft wood such as pine or evergreen because soft wood causes black smoke, which will leave a nasty taste to the smoked food.
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5
Add another piece of wood to the hot coals once the first piece has burnt down. You will need to add a new piece of wood approximately every hour or so.
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6
Insert the cooking grate into the grill and arrange the food you want to smoke on top. The food should be placed on the grate above the water pan. Do not place the food directly above the hot coals.
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7
Cover the food with the lid of the grill. All charcoal grills have an air vent on their lids; position the vent on top of the food.
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8
Insert the temperature gauge into one of the vents on the grill lid and keep track of the internal temperature. Do not remove the cover of the smoker during the smoking process as it will reduce the temperature considerably. Only remove the lid when you need to add more chunks of wood. The temperature should always stay under 250 degrees Fahrenheit. If it ever exceeds 250 degrees, simply remove the lid to reduce it.
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9
Cook food until it's cooked through.
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Tips & Warnings
You can purchase small pieces of hard wood chunks or flavored wood chips at any home store in the grilling section, or at online retailers.
References
- Photo Credit charcoal on fire image by jedphoto from Fotolia.com
