People have been smoking meat for centuries, but with the rise of pellet grills and smokers, it’s easier than ever for the average person to participate in this culinary activity. What are the advantages of smoking meat, instead of cooking it in any other way? And how did smoking meat become so popular in the modern era?
The Popularity of Smoking Meat
These are some of the main reasons why smoking meat has become more popular in recent years:
- Affordable, versatile smokers. Pellet grills and smokers have become more advanced, more affordable, and more versatile – not to mention, much more widely available. Smokers and pellet grills have been readily available for decades, but only recently have grillers had such a wide variety of useful options to choose from. These appliance designs have gotten better, there are more options available than ever, and it’s relatively easy for someone new to this cooking method to get involved.
- Free time at home. Smoking is a cooking method that requires a lot of time and patience. You can’t exactly start smoking meat, then drive to work; you have to stay close to monitor your progress and stay safe. But with the rise of remote work and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, people are spending more time at home – so they’re more interested and available to smoke meat.
- Cultural impact and social circles. Popularity has a way of self-perpetuating. As more people get involved with smoking meat and serving it to their friends, more people get exposed to this culinary hobby. This results in a snowball effect, ultimately leading millions of new people to the art.
We should also acknowledge that there are many objective benefits to smoking meat, which we’ll explore in the next section.
The Benefits of Smoking Meat
These are some of the most appealing benefits of smoking meat.
- The distinctive flavor. When you eat meat that has been smoked, you can taste it. In fact, you may even be able to distinguish what type of wood chips were used to smoke. Just as a hot dog cooked over a campfire tastes different than one prepared in the microwave, smoked meat tastes different than meat cooked using any other method. Some people go crazy for it.
- Higher fat content. When you smoke meat, you typically expose it to relatively low temperatures over a longer period of time. This has a tendency to preserve a higher fat content, which can lead to a richer, tastier final product.
- Tenderization. This type of exposure also has a tenderizing effect. Meats that have been smoked tend to be softer and more palatable than their counterparts.
- Aroma and the preparation process. Smoking isn’t effort intensive, even though it does take a lot of time. Some people genuinely enjoy this patient process. Over the course of hours, and maybe the whole day, you can enjoy the aroma of smoke and meat while breathing fresh air in the great outdoors.
- Potential preservation. Historically, smoking meat has been an act of preservation, both because smoking dry is the meat and because many of the compounds found in smoke have a preservative effect. If executed responsibly, you could use this technique to preserve your own meat.
Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Smoker
If you decide to jump into this trend, how do you get the most value out of your smoker?
- Go slow and indirect. Slow and indirect is the name of the game. Avoid using too much heat, and don’t expose your meat to the heat directly. Modern smokers and pellet girls should make this easy.
- Use the right wood chips/pellets. There are many types of wood chips and pellets available, so be discerning in your selection. You can choose between flavors like hickory, maple, and pecan and each can add a distinctive flavor profile.
- Consider including a water pan. Smoking meat has a tendency to dry it. But you can offset this effect by including a water pan and allowing the vapor to introduce more hydration.
- Don’t overdo it. Smoking is an extended process, and a game of patience. But you also don’t want to overdo it. Smoking your meat for too long can dry it out excessively, compromising the experience.
- Stay close. Always stay close to your appliance of choice. Occasionally, you may need to adjust venting, but more importantly, you need to be ready to act if there’s an emergency.
- Only open the lid when necessary. It’s tempting to check on your meat – but try to keep the lid closed as much as possible.
If you’re looking for a simple take away, it’s this: smoking meat is popular because it’s one of the best and most accessible ways to make your meats taste delicious. All you need to start is a good pellet grill or smoker.