Taking your outdoor barbeques to the next level involves changing the way you cook the food. Whether that means you buy new barbeque equipment in Gwinnett County, GA, or decide it’s time for a new charcoal smoker, Bolton Heating, Air & Fireplaces has you covered.
Now that summer is upon us, it’s time to break out the smoker and have your next outdoor BBQ! The sweet smells of slow-cooked pork, chicken, brisket, and other delicious food fill the air as you start preparing for your guests. But before your guests arrive, do you know the basics of smoker and BBQ safety? Here are some of our essential BBQ safety tips!
When Should I Start The Smoker?
Smoking meat is a long process. The axiom of “low and slow” means that the meat gets cooked at a lower temperature and for a longer time to allow the flavors to develop and the meat to become instantly shreddable.
Most smoker chefs start the cooking process early in the morning to allow for the longest possible cooking time. Depending on when you want to serve the guests, starting the smoker early in the morning — possibly as early as 4-5 AM — can give your proteins the perfect amount of time to smoke. Generally, smoking meat takes a minimum of 12 hours, but cook times may vary based on the protein.
I Can Set It and Forget It, Right?
While using a BBQ smoker can prove a low-maintenance cooking method, it’s not a true “set it and forget it” method. You need to pay close enough attention to the conditions to ensure a thorough cook all the way through.
Taking the time to properly clean your equipment before cooking can help minimize the chance of any hazards coming into play. Most people will bristle at the idea of leaving a cooking vessel on for that length of time, worried about leaving it unattended for that long. However, most smokers are designed to operate for extended periods without incident. You only have to monitor it for wood levels, temperature, and doneness of the meat.
How Do I Regulate The Temperature?
When it comes to barbecue safety, you want to practice good temperature control practices. Regulating your heat source to get too hot or cold becomes essential for the final product. Monitoring the temperature of your smoker or wood-burning stove requires you to know how many wood pellets or wood chips you need and how often to add to it.
Letting the fire get too high can lead to flare-ups and uncontrollable fire, while not being attentive enough can lead to undercooked food. Have a time check schedule in place to help you keep a watchful eye on your BBQ and ensure it’s as flavorful and delicious as possible!
Does The Color Of The Smoke Matter?
The smoke coming from your machine has a direct impact on the final flavor of your meal. White smoke means that you have the right amount of ventilation, imparting that sweet smokey flavor to your food that helps define BBQ fare. However, dark smoke can mean that your setup doesn’t have the proper ventilation, and the acrid burnt flavor can overwhelm the meat.
Additionally, if your proteins are placed directly over the fire, the natural juices can leak down onto the wood and completely burn the meat. You can adjust for the heat and fluctuating temperatures by opening and closing vents as needed.
What Kind of Outdoor Cooking Devices Can I Get?
The most direct way to change up your outdoor cooking game is to address how you’re cooking. With our expansive inventory of outdoor cooking gear, you can take your next BBQ to the next level. For example, you can find the most trusted brands in wood stoves for sale in our Gwinnett County, GA, showroom to find the perfect fit for your backyard.
Now that you want to take your outdoor cooking to the next level, you need to have a supplier you can trust to deliver the best equipment. With Bolton Heating, Air & Fireplaces on your side, you can find the best grilling and smoking gear on the market!
Feel free to browse through our inventory to find the smoker of your dreams. Our team is ready to help you find the right equipment for your next outdoor cooking party today!