How to Use an Offset Fire Box Smoker
- 1). Sprinkle the desired meat generously with dry-rub seasoning and rub the spices into the meat, covering all surfaces. Place the meat on a clean dish or platter, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
- 2). Place the hardwood smoking chips into the large plastic bowl or bucket and fill the container with enough water to completely submerge the chips. Soak the wood for at least an hour prior to smoking time.
- 3). Open the hatch of the main smoking chamber (the largest of the two barrels), remove the cooking grate and line the bottom of the chamber with foil to catch meat drippings during the smoking process. Replace the cooking grate and close the lid.
- 4). Fill the chimney starter about half full with natural lump charcoal -- about five or six large handfuls. Open all grill vents and chimneys wide.
- 5). Crumple up the newspaper into balls and place them on the charcoal grate inside the offset firebox -- the smaller of the two barrels.
- 6). Place the chimney starter atop the crumpled newspaper and light the newspaper, sliding the long grill lighter through the lower vents to ignite the paper. Wait 20 minutes or until coals become gray and glow.
- 1). Open the main smoking chamber and place the seasoned meat in the center of the grate, then immediately close the hatch.
- 2). Toss a handful of wet wood chips atop the lit coals in the offset firebox and close the lid.
- 3). Replenish a handful or two of wet wood chips every 30 minutes and a handful or two of charcoal every hour to maintain the cooking fire and flow of smoke.
- 4). Smoke the meat for several hours at between 250 and 300 degrees. Cooking time and temperature depends on meat type and weight.
Meat, Wood Chip and Grill Prep
The Smoking Process
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