Smoking on a gas grill

[Trunk Monkey]

As much as I would love a dedicated smoker, the money for one just isn't available. So, I am going to try this widget out I found. It's a little smoker box made for Weber grills and sits right down on their "flavorizer" bars. Then you just keep the front burner row on low and keep the back 2 off where the meat is. Seems like in principle it should work okay, only hassle being reloading the box with chips.

Anyone tried something similar? Are my efforts futile and I just need to rob my kids college fund for a smoker?

 

[spressomon]

I have something similar (cast iron) I used at the former house and gas BBQ...and it works OK for laying in a little smokiness to whatever you're grilling but you're going to be disappointed if you are after a true smoking experience.

Controlling the temp is going to be your biggest obstacle.

You can often find inexpensive bullet type smokers at garage sales, craigslist, etc. You don't have to mortgage the house or sell the kids for just a decent smoker.

You can even build one with little more than a couple clay pots and an electric burner via Alton Brown...more info here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAydLWYGoJA

 

[FLATU8ER]

Trunk, I was in your situation 1 1/2 yrs ago. Another member justified my smoker purchase as a tool. I went to Lowes and got a generic bullet electric smoker for about $69.00
Got started with this so I could hit the learning curve. Wrap my wood chips in a foil packet and toss onto the lava rocks that cover the elec element. Got lotsa help from Suppresso, and afew other members. Check my post titled Smoked Trout on a Webber.
-Jim

 

[bhmmapping]

Ugly Drum Smoker - cheap, easy, good results every time:

https://forum.ih8mud.com/campfire-cuisine/551010-ugly-drum-smoker.html

Smoking on a gas grill is a lot of work and won't give the same results as a real smoker. It isn't airtight enough so it will cook too hot. I do like those smoker boxes though for everyday grilling, they add a nice flavor to everything.

 

[JohnVee]

What's the word, Trunk? Did Santa bring you a smoker or is the smoker box gonna be your method? I have a cast iron box I bought in anticipation of a gas grill, but I've never used it and never bought the gas grill. I'd send it to you but the frgt would be about the same as finding one on sale.

--john

 

[Phil in BC]

My Weber bbq came with a dedicated smoker box built right into it, similar to the original post. I love it and use it all the time, works great for adding some smoke to bbq food. I do not use it as a smoker though, I have a bradley for that.

 

[AlaskanWheeler]

Tad bit off topic but, soak your wood in your favorite red wine. Then you've got something special.

 

[FLATU8ER]

For the smoker I use dry wood chips. But throw in the Charcoal Webber, and it is wet wood. My favorite is the whisky oak from old barrels.
But what is the progress Trunk?
-Jim

 

[TXLX100]

If you want to get into smoking but don't want to spend a ton, try to find one if the cheap bullet smokers on CL or elsewhere, I see them for $10-15 sometimes. My buddy left me his brinkman bullet smoker when he moved and I've been using it with some success. I think I may have about $20 in modifications to make it more usable, and have to seal up the lid with aluminum tape for longer smokes.

I like to use lump charcoal, it burns more complete and seems to last longer.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

So, an update. I got the smoker box and have used it a few times. As was said by others, you just can't smoke well on a grill. It's been good to add flavor to things on the grill, but for traditional smoking, it doesn't work well.

With that, a Masterbuilt smoker popped up on slickdeals and Amazon yesterday for $200, so I jumped on that (free ship and no tax). Excited to see how that goes.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

Goes pretty well in fact. Pork shoulder for 10 hours, easy peasy.