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A Quick Guide To Using Vertical Propane Smokers To Grill Meat

Smoking beef when you are cooking it is a great way to enhance all the flavors it has. However, the main problem associated with this process is that at times, it can be very exhausting. For one, you may find yourself having to spend long hours trying to make sure that the smoking is done just right. Whether you have just starting the practice of smoking meat or have been doing it for a very long time, having to spend ages trying to get it done might not be your cup of tea. 

The ideal thing to do would be to buy a device that allows you to smoke meat without you being present, and without the risk of the meat burning in the process. Fortunately, such devices do exist. The vertical propane smokers have become very popular in the recent past owing to the fact that they are usually very easy to use, and tend to be easily available as well. By spending a few hundred dollars on them, you can ensure that your meat will end up getting that perfect smoky texture without having to slave for a long time over a grill.

How it works 

The overall design of this device is very simple. It comprises a propane tank, above which is a layer of sawdust or wood chips, and a pan with water above this. The propane tank produces the heat that is necessary to burn the sawdust or chips to produce the smoke, which is then directed upwards to the grates with the cuts of beef on them. The pan with the water serves to ensure that the moisture content within the device is kept above a certain range to ensure that the meat stays tender. 

One of the major benefits of the vertical smoker is that once you switch it on, you don’t need to keep an eye on it. You can let it produce the smoke for hours on end without running the risk of burning the meat. 

Using the smoker 

Using the device is not as difficult as it might first sound. The first step in doing so is filling the water pan with water or other fluid you might be interested in. To increase the flavor in the meat, you could even put cider or beer on the pan. It’s recommended that you cover it with foil before putting the fluid in the pan, at least to make it easier to clean. 

Once this is done, you only need to connect the propane tank, switch on the burner and set the temperature. You will need to preheat the smoker for around ten minutes before adding the wood chips on the tray above the burner, as well as adding meat in the grates. 

Some of the problems you might face 

There are a few problems you might face when using this device and this mainly boils down to how you purchase one. For one, you may find that the burner is not wide enough for some types of meat, such as rub cuts. When shopping for the smoker, you should try to estimate the size of meat you will be using in it, and only buy a device that will be able to accommodate the types of meat you will be cooking. 

In addition to that, you will find that there are some smokers that will not be very effective in cold weather, or when it’s windy. They might take long to smoke the food, and may leak as well. To avoid this, you should insist on buying products that have a sturdy design and which are properly insulated against the elements. 

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