Explain smoking vs. grilling

[SMKR]

I had a smoker given to me. I've never smoked meat before but would like to learn how to. When is it best to smoke? I've always grilled. Do i smoke on Charcoal or wood? Can I grill on a smoker?

[bcoop]

I had a smoker given to me. I've never smoked meat before but would like to learn how to. When is it best to smoke? I've always grilled. Do i smoke on Charcoal or wood? Can I grill on a smoker?

When is what best to smoke? Clarify.

You smoke on wood. I start the fire with charcoal and a chimney starter. Gives a nice hot base of coals for heat, then the wood provides the smoke. As you get further in to the smoke, I use the wood coals for heat instead of adding more charcoal. You can grill on a smoker, if your firebox has a second rack that you can mount above the fire. It's going to be really, really hot there though.



DO NOT USE LIGHTER FLUID. Also, wrong forum.

[YALE]

Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat?

[SMKR]

When is what best to smoke? Clarify.

You smoke on wood. I start the fire with charcoal and a chimney starter. Gives a nice hot base of coals for heat, then the wood provides the smoke. As you get further in to the smoke, I use the wood coals for heat instead of adding more charcoal. You can grill on a smoker, if your firebox has a second rack that you can mount above the fire. It's going to be really, really hot there though.



DO NOT USE LIGHTER FLUID. Also, wrong forum.

What is the purpose of smoking? Why not grill everything?

[SMKR]

Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat?

We all gotta learn sometime

[YALE]

Because brisket. Because Boston butt. Because barbacoa.

[bcoop]

What is the purpose of smoking? Why not grill everything?

Go try to grill a whole brisket, and let me know how that turns out.


Grilling has it's place, but so does smoking. Smoking is more about tougher meats, that are cooked for a long time to break down the collagen and fat. It's also about flavor. Grilling is typically done at high temperatures. If I'm cooking steak, I get the grill as hot as I possibly can. If I'm smoking, it's low temperature and a lot of time.

[46Tbird]

What is the purpose of smoking? Why not grill everything?

LOL...

Especially funny given your username, which I always assumed meant you would understand the answer to that question.

[YALE]

We all gotta learn sometime

Post some pictures of this mystery rig, dude. I can slide over some weekend and show you how to make a brisket on there.

[bcoop]

Because brisket. Because Boston butt. Because barbacoa.

Because bacon, too. You left out the best one. I am disappoint, Yolo.



In essence, everything is better on a smoker. There are exceptions, of course. Steak, for instance, is terrible on a smoker. But wrapped, stuffed jalapenos? Better on the smoker. Qual? Better on the smoker. Fish (dependong on type, of course)? Better on the smoker.


When you really get in to it, you can fuck with the flavor profiles, based on the type of wood you use. When you smoke, rather than grill, you can get layers of different flavors.

[naynay]

in for the boston butt!

[slow06]

in for the boston butt!

Never heard of Picnic before. Always like these pictures though.

[yellowstang]

in for the boston butt!

They forgot the best part, pork rinds! Those can be made from anywhere there is skin!!!

[bcoop]

Never heard of Picnic before. Always like these pictures though.

Shoulders come in two parts. Blade Roast (boston butt, pork butt, etc) and the picnic. Picnic is not as popular, because it's more tough, and less fat/collagen.

[Baron Von Crowder]

Never heard of Picnic before. Always like these pictures though.

Someone correct me if I am wrong, its been a few years since I slept throught this class:

The picnic is the shoulder. The picnic is usually without bone, and shoulder is bone in.