As the weather starts to gradually get warmer, it’s becoming a better time for cooking outdoors. If you’re a relative newcomer to cooking, you’re likely aware of things like grilling and smoking but you may not realize that there are quite a few differences between the two techniques. With a little information, you’ll soon be on you’re your way to becoming a practiced hand at cooking with fire.
Temperature
One of the biggest distinctions between grilling and smoking is the temperature. Traditionally, grilling involves cooking foods over flames that can be up to 400 or 500 degrees Fahrenheit. Smoking typically involves cooking foods at a lower temperature for a longer period of time.
Proximity to Heat
Smoking is usually a process of cooking over indirect heat. Grilling is usually done over a flame or close to the heat source, allowing you to cook foods faster. The larger the cut of meat, the more appropriate it would be to cook over indirect heat.
Timing
Because smoking is done at a lower temperature, it naturally takes a lot longer to cook food than when grilling over direct heat. If you have the time to dedicate to smoking, you’ll love the flavor that different woods impart on your food.
Equipment
There are a lot of choices on the market when it comes to outdoor cooking equipment. There are many varieties of smokers, gas and charcoal grills, and grill/smoker combos.
Benefits of Outdoor Cooking
By cooking outdoors you get to create tasty food unlike what you can produce in a traditional kitchen. Grilling and smoking can transform your food and allow you to cook in the warmer months without heating up your house.
Contact Hi-Tech Appliance to speak to an outdoor cooking equipment sales specialist. Our experts can help you find the right equipment for your needs, and our company even specializes in outdoor cooking equipment service.