How to Build a Meat Smoker

Meat smokers are raw meat cooking appliance that are used to cure meat, while cooking them. Earlier, they were big cumbersome structures; however, the present ones are small and easy to operate. They come in two types; electric smoker and gas smokers, and are often used as extensions to a traditional wood fueled outdoor meat smoker.

A meat smoker also monitors the temperature of the flame, to ensure that the meat does not burn or stay uncooked. The meat smoking method is quite simple. The meat is placed on a rack in the smoker, and the wood meant for burning, below it. Once the flame is lit, the smoker produces enough heat and smoke to cook the meat. The meat smoker is a closed unit. The cover enables the seasoning or marinate to be absorbed through the cuts made on the meat, imparting it with a smoked flavor and taste. Smoked meat makes excellent outdoor party food. Try building a meat smoker, and enjoy the taste of well cooked and smoked meat.

Steps for Building a Meat Smoker

A meat smoker can be built from metal, wood, or brick and mortar. Smoking meat is like cooking it using an indirect application of heat that is generated by burning wood. Following is an easy way of building a meat smoker.

Materials required:

• Large metal can with a lid
• Electric hot plate
• Small metal box
• Temperature device
• Mesh
• Wood chips
• Power cord
• Driller

The first thing that needs to be done is to make two holes for the power cord and the temperature checking device in the base of the can. Place the electric plate at the bottom of the can, and using the driller, drill two holes in the base. Connect the cord to the electric plate, and pull it out from the drilled hole, and through the second hole, connect the electric plate to the temperature device. Place the small metal box on the electric plate, and fill it up wood chips. Plug the power cord, and switch it on to temperatures between 220^oF and 230^oF. As the electric plate starts to heat, the wood chips in the metal box will start to smoke. Fix the mesh on top of the can, and place the lid on it. After ten minutes, place the marinated meat on the mesh, and once again close the lid for at least an hour. Since meat is getting cooked on slow temperatures, it will be a while before the meat is ready. Keep flipping the meat, whenever you open the lid. One needs to keep adding more wood chips, to keep the smoke from billowing out. Try dampening the wood for a more smoky environment in the meat smoker.

One can build a meat smoker using a mud flower pot or a terracotta pot as well. The process for building a meat smoker is the same as the one mentioned above. However, take care while drilling holes, as the drilling could lead to development of cracks in the mud or terracotta pot. Some people who use mud pots for smoking meat, find the meat better flavored, in comparison to the meat smoked in metal smokers.

However, for a die-hard foodie, metal, wood, mud or brick will impart just the right smoke to add flavor to the meat. Building a meat smoker is easy, and the only thing one needs to handle, are the number of compliments that will come your way!