Being a meat lover this is my hobby to cook a variety of meat in various ways. Every weekend you would find me in my outdoor kitchen, cooking, baking, and grilling all meat stuff in various ways with various eating accessories.
Can you use an offset smoker as a grill? This is a frequently asked question by barbeque meat lovers like me. The answer is a firm yes! But hold on, you need to know and practice a few basics.
In this article, I will discuss how to use an offset smoker as a grill. Firstly, clarify how to use a smoker and a grill for cooking. If you are planning to cook smoked food?
You will cook it at a low temperature, and it will take more time; if you have decided to grill it, it will require a high temperature and less time to get ready. So, in an offset smoker, you can have both options.
Maintaining a steady temperature by using the dried kiln hardwood chunks and natural lump charcoal grill your food for mouthwatering meals.
Table of Contents
Can You Use an Offset Smoker as A Grill?
Can you use an offset smoker as a grill to get the answer? At the very outset, you need to know the basic information about how to operate an offset smoker. Offset smoker, a barrel smoker. Stick burner. Horizontal smoker. Whatever you call them.
They are made to barbeque food at a lower temperature for an appetizing smoked taste. The cooking chamber in the offset smoker is horizontal, which keeps the food at the right level for cooking.
Most chambers have shelves to fit more food in the smoker. A firebox heats food in the chamber on the side.
In the firebox, you will have to have smoke wood and charcoal burning to provide heat for the smoker. On the firebox, there is a vent that is used to control the heat.
You can open the vent to permit more air into the fire when you want to heat things. However, to lower the temperature, you just need to close the vent.
How to Use a Grill with An Offset Smoker?
Once you get the idea of using your offset smoker according to the instructions regarding managing temperature, which is the key, and setting up the fire, you are ready to use your smoker as a griller.
You should always use charcoal fire to grill and direct-grill using an offset smoker. You can place a grill grate in the firebox and grill your food directly over the charcoal.
However, you can set up an extra grill plate. You can put an extra grill grate in the chamber and keep the chamber in an open position or posture to avoid steam and smoke. This will allow to grill in the chamber.
Grilling On an Offset Smoker
Grilling on an offset smoker is not a big deal. You can do that, and why not? Having a separate smoker and food grille would cost you a fortune. You can grill any type of meat with your offset smoker.
An offset smoker differs from a pellet smoker, gar smoker, or electric smoker in using wood and charcoal as its heat source. You can use apple or maple wood can help add a sweeter flavor, and mesquite is a good wood for brisket.
You will only need a grill grate that fits over the cooking chamber or firebox to use it as a grill. A layer of charcoal must be placed at the bottom of the smoker pit or firebox. The grill grate is what keeps your cuts of meat above the flame and allows for direct grilling.
For more, you can see our article on how to use the charcoal smoker grill.
Keep in Mind While Grilling With an Offset Smoker!
- Set up temperature probes: To keep your grill stable at 225°FLight Charcoal, you must set up two temperature probes.
- Open the Intake and Chimney: keep firebox vents open as and when required to let the oxygen in to have the fire burning. Otherwise, enough heat will not reach, and food can burn or remain uncooked.
- Maintain Your Temperature: this is the key to cooking your food. If you cannot maintain the temperature, you cannot get the desired taste even if the food remains uncooked.
- Be patient: one has to be patient as it takes time to cook food using smokers or grill using offset smokers. It can take hours to cook your food. Keep checking everything necessary during the process.
How To Make My Grill a Smoker?
Suppose you are using a grill for cooking your meat but wish to have some smoked items, then there is no need to worry. You can turn your grill into a smoker. There are a few easy steps to make your grill a smoker.
- Soak The Wood Chips Firstly, you need to soak the wood chips in water for at least 30 minutes. Flavors range from hickory to pecan to spicy apple, so choose a flavor that complements your dish.
The wood chips can be strong enough to add great flavor. In addition, soaking helps intensify the amount of smoke. You need to be vigilant regarding temperature and should have a thermometer with you.
- Heat Your Grill Secondly, heat your grill when you soak the wood chips. Whether using a charcoal grill or a gas grill, the temperature should be around 225 degrees for most barbecue recipes.
- Pour The Charcoal Thirdly, once the coals are hot, pour the charcoal off to one side of the grill, and let them burn down until the required temperature is reached. It would take from 30 minutes to one hour.
- Tip The Soggy Wood Chips Fourthly, As soon as the temperature you’re looking for has been reached, strain the wood chips. Using a charcoal grill, tip the soggy wood chips directly onto the coals.
Cover the coals in foil and poke small holes to permit steam to outflow if you’re using a gas grill. Lay the package of wood chips directly on the unlit cooking grate, then fire it up again.
- Once it starts smoking, be patient as it can take 1 to 6 hours. Add more coals each hour using a charcoal grill to maintain the required heat or temperature. Keep a thermometer with you to check the temperature.
How To Cook with an Offset Smoker?
You can quickly cook with an offset smoker. But you have to be vigilant and patient. Firstly you must have a thermometer, charcoal, wood chips, grate, and two digital air probes that you can insert into the cooking chamber.
Then light up charcoal and let in the required wood chips. Keep vents open to give required oxygen. Check for your desired temperature. Open the chamber, fit in the grate, and put your meat on that.
Close it and wait until 1 to 6 hours. Keep checking the firebox to maintain the fire, smoke, and temperature. While cooking, open the chamber and flip the meat pieces to cook equally from and out front and back.
FAQs: Can You Use an Offset Smoker as A Grill?
Can You Use an Offset Smoker As A Grill?
Yes, you can use an offset smoker as a grill. To use it as a grill, you will need to adjust the air vents in the smoker to get hot enough to act as a grill. You can also add a grilling grate to the top of the smoker, making it easier to use as a grill.
How To Cook with an Offset Smoker?
Set up the smoker, preheat to the desired temp, add the wood chips for flavor, place the food on the grates, and adjust the vents for optimal heat and smoke. Monitor the food regularly to ensure it is cooked to desired doneness.
The Crux
Hopefully, you will have a satisfactory answer to your query, “can you use an offset smoker as a grill?” offset smokers are pretty expensive; however, they are commonly used for large amounts of barbecue.
Other meat recipes can also be prepared with them. One has to be careful while cooking through them. You must have all necessary accessories such as a thermometer, wood chips, grates, charcoal, and two probe meters.
The guidance or instructions should be followed. Try to keep the smoker clean. You can wash it and wipe it after cooking. Options are available for both cooking smoked and through direct or indirect chamber grilling,