Summer is often a time for getting back to the basics, enjoying the outdoors and of course, grilling a meal over the fire. For families who love the taste of tender, smoked meats, preparing the meal becomes the main event. Meat smokers can add that little something extra, infusing your food with incredible smoked flavors. If you don’t own one already, you’ll want to know what you’ve been missing.

Slow smoking comes from a long tradition of barbecuing. The basic process involves cooking the desired meat over low, indirect heat (no more than 225 degrees) supplied by a smoke chamber for several hours. With outdoor barbecue smokers, charcoal is typically burned with a layer of wood chips, which are offered in a variety of popular flavors, including applewood, hickory and mesquite. The smoke combines with heat and moisture, providing a unique taste while the meat tenderizes to get that coveted falling-off-the bone texture.

Types of BBQ Smokers

BBQ smokers have evolved in many ways to suit the needs of the modern cook. There are still traditionalists who prefer timeless methods of smoking meat, using homemade barbecue smokers. If you’d rather save your cash you could add wood chips to your charcoal grill to create a firebox. In general, charcoal smokers are the least expensive option, and according to many hardcore grillers, charcoal and wood is the only way to achieve a true barbecue.

Alternatives to the charcoal smoker include propane smokers and electric smokers. In both types of meat smokers, the heat source and the wood chips are usually separate, so the meat may not absorb as many layers of flavor while it smokes. However, electric and propane smokers often have temperature control knobs, which are useful for maintaining an even heat. If you’re too busy to regulate the smoker, or if you have less experience with barbecuing, you’ll be glad to know that many electric smokers can basically be put on autopilot.

Choosing a Meat Smoker

BBQ smokers come in various sizes and you should always check the capacity before making a purchase, as it will determine how much food you can cook at once. For example, meat smokers meant for indoor use range from refrigerator-sized industrial models for restaurants to stove-top versions for gas or electric burners. Ultimately, the type of smoker you choose will depend upon what each person expects from the experience and how they intend to use it. Some cooks prefer to sit back and let the cooking take care of itself and others enjoying being in the driver’s seat for the whole process.

If you’re unsure of how to choose, start by considering the size you need, the fuel you prefer, whether it will be used indoors or outdoors, the level of flavor you hope to achieve, and how active you’re willing to be. Before long you’ll be making the best smoked ribs and pulled pork sandwiches in town.