How to Get a BBQ Smoke Ring

Avoid frozen or thawed meats because they have lost most of their juices.

A smoke ring is the key to knowing that your meat is done to perfection. The smoke ring is the pink discoloration just under the surface of the crust or skin. Depending on the meat you are cooking the rings size ranges from 1/8 to 1/2-inch thick. In BBQ competitions a smoke ring is the key to winning the blue ribbon.

Things You'll Need

• Metal pan
• Water
• Grill
• Meat
• Charcoal
• Wood pellets
• Propane

Instructions

1. Prepare your meat that you are going to grill. You can use beef, pork, poultry, or lamb. Marinade or use a dry rub then place in the refrigerator overnight. This helps the meat soak up all the juices and spices.

2. Set up your grill so that you have a low steady heat. Ignite the charcoal or wood and let it burn down till you see a lot of grey. Let grill reach a temperature that is between 200 and 225 degrees Fahrenheit. You can check the temperature by using a grill thermometer. If you are using an electric or gas grill set the temperature between 200 and 225 degrees Fahrenheit. Let the grill reach temperature before starting the next step.

3. Set a metal pan full of water on the grill. Lay the meat onto the grill and shut the grill lid. Avoid continually opening and closing the lid, doing this lets the moisture out.

4. Cook the meat an hour per pound. If the meat is six pounds then you will cook it for six hours. Check the time that the meat has been cooking. If you are at the ending hour poke the meat using a meat thermometer. Beef and lamb should have internal temperatures around 140 to 145 degrees Fahrenheit. Poultry and turkey should have an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Pork on the other hand should be 160 degrees Fahrenheit and above for the meat to be done.

5. Take the meat off carefully when it has reached the correct internal temerature and serve.

Tips & Warnings

• On meats like beef and pork the smoke ring will appear to be a reddish pink color. Meats like chicken or turkey the smoke ring appears to be bright pink in color.

References

• Rollin' Smoke BBQ: The Smoke Ring
• The Smoke Ring: Belly's Beef Brisket
• The Amazing Ribs.com: Meat Science and Ribs
• Internal Temperature Cooking Chart: How To Use A Meat Thermometer

Resources

• BBQ-Festivals.com: BBQ Competition & Cook Off Teams