BBQ Smokers

A dedicated smoker is for people who care about low-and-slow cooking specifically: brisket, ribs, pulled pork, smoked chicken, at temperatures of 100-120C for 6-12 hours. The two main formats are offset smokers (firebox at the side, smoke flows through to the cooking chamber) and vertical bullet smokers (water pan, charcoal at the bottom, vent at the top). Offset smokers give the truest smoke ring but need a learning curve and constant fuel monitoring. Bullet smokers are easier to set and forget. Aosom UK, Cherry Lane Garden Centres and garden sanctuary between them cover £11-£843. For a household trying smoking for the first time, a £100-£200 vertical bullet smoker is the right starting point. It forgives mistakes that an offset doesn't. The fuel split: lump charcoal for the heat, wood chunks for the flavour.