Use A Homemade Or Electric Smoker For Cold Smoking

By:Scott Fromherz

Most of us are willing to simply go to the grocery store when looking for something that holds a certain flavor. This is generally the case for smoked foods like bacon, smoked ham, or lox. These are all created by the process of cold smoking, which uses smoke to give flavor to the food as well as dry it out somewhat. Unlike hot smoking, cold smoking gives the food the flavor while not cooking it, which makes it an excellent part of the preservation process. With a little time and a homemade or an electric smoker, you can use cold smoking to make great foods that taste wonderful.

Equipment

For cold smoking, you want to keep the food closer to room temperature than any sort of cooking temperature. To accomplish this, you either need an electric smoker that can control the temperature in one unit, or if you are making a homemade cold smoker, make sure that the actual smoking chamber is in a separate unit from the chamber where the smoke is being made. A simple length of wide tubing can direct the smoke to the smoking chamber without transferring a lot of the heat.

Of course, you also need some wood to smoke with! If you've ever used wood on your barbecue, you already have a good idea of what sorts of wood are safe. As a general rule, avoid woods with a lot of resin, like pine, and go for hard woods or woods from fruit trees. Apple, cherry, hickory, and even oak wood are all appropriate for smoking. To make the wood smoke, a simple metal chip box for barbecuing set on a hot plate will create all the smoke you need without a fire. If you use an electric smoker, follow the instructions that come with your unit for cold smoking.

Brining

Because cold smoking doesn't actually cook the food, bacteria and such can still grow on the food, which is dangerous for your health. For this reason, food that goes through the cold smoking process often go through the brining process in order to make it salty, which in turn makes it hard for microbes to live in the food and spoil it. Find a good brine recipe and make sure to soak your meat in it for a while. Once you've finished with brining it, you can get your home or electric smoker ready.

Time

The last thing that's needed for cold smoking is time. You may have to occasionally add chips to your smoking box in order to ensure that your food is getting a constant flow of smoke, and it helps to have a thermometer so you can attempt to check on and maintain temperature in the cold smoking chamber. In cold smoking, food can be kept in the smoking box for up to several days, so make sure your setup is secure and safe, so that you're not in danger of any fires. Once you've got the technique down, you'll be smoking wonderful foods such as your own homemade bacon. Buy an electric smoker or make a smoking setup soon, and find out what depth it can add to your food.

Digg del.icio.us Blink Stumble Spurl Reddit Netscape Furl

Article keywords: electric smoker

Article Source: http://www.articles2k.com

For more information on electric smokers visit http://www.SimplyBarbeque.com/ or http://SimplyBarbeque.blogspot.com/

Top Food and Drink Articles
1). Convection vs. Conventional Ovens... What's The Difference? By : Debbie Dragon If you are in the market for a new oven and you’ve already begun shopping for one, you’ve probably noticed that there are a few different types. Two of the most popular oven types are conventional and convection, and many newer ovens have the option of cooking food in either fashion depending on the set mode. The difference in these two types of ovens is the way in which the heat in the oven is dispersed during the cooking process.
2). Fish Oil - It’s Health Benefits & Risks By : John H. Rogers As the name implies, fish oil is oil that is removed from the tissues of oily fish and is often recommended as part of a healthy diet program. Many nutritionists recommend that individuals each fish at least once a week, but emphasis must be placed on the importance of avoiding fish that contain certain harmful contaminants. In avoiding predatory fish, such as sharks and others, individuals will prevent the consumption of unhealthy substances which can accumulate due to the fish’s predatory lifestyle.
3). How To Eat Fresh Vegetables – Ideas for Working More Veggies By : Robb Ksiazek Fresh, uncooked veggies are so healthy and it’s important to work them into your meal plan somewhere. The majority of American’s don’t eat enough v
4). Let's NOT Talk Turkey By : Kristin Johnson The carving. The leftovers. The endless stuffing. Actually, you love the stuffing, cranberries and turkey trimmings. However, it's been se
5). Diners - An American Icon By : Barbara Wangelid The definition of a diner is typically a narrow structure resembling a railroad dining car with the interior containing a service counter with stools
6). Honey – Important Health Facts! By : Anita Morris Honey is the most known apicultural product, it is a substance that the bees produce through a complicated process of elaboration, where they absorb the nectar and deposit it in their stomach, then go back to the beehive to deliver it, throwing up repeated times; this way ferments, acid and albumen are added to the nectar. It contains most of the essential mineral elements that our system needs.
7). Homemade Ice Cream - Easier Than You think! By : Scott Byers If you are looking for some great fun and a delicious treat any time of year, you will want to know about making homemade ice cream. This is a fun thing to do alone or with someone else. No matter what you are doing or what the temperature is outside, you will want to have some homemade ice cream for a great snack or treat. You will love making it along with eating it as well.
8). Save Money on Groceries: Part I By : Jon Martin One universal of humanity, no matter who you are or where you come from, you have to eat. Unless you grow your own food, you will have to go to t
9). Advising on the best sourced help concerning bar supplies. By : Tom Advising on the best sourced help concerning bar supplies. When you're after high-class information about bar supplies, it'll be complex unscramb
10). The Best Way to Use Low-Carb Control By : Melissa White The benefits of low-carb dieting are easy to see and make clear why so many are choosing a low-carb way of life. For example, there isn't any coun

New Food and Drink Articles
1). Do Aphrodisiac Foods Exist By : Kadence Buchanan Many of us have heard that sea-food excite the human senses or that walnuts and honey are the best aphrodisiac. But do certain types of food affect the human erotic impulse?
2). Fast Food No Nos By : Della Franklin The pitfalls of eating fast food and some suggestions on how to lessen the damage.
3). Studies That Show The Benefits Of Dark Chocolate On Blood Pressure By : Gregg Hall Good news for dark chocolate lovers. Eating dark chocolate can now help lower blood pressure. A recent study was done by specialists in the US that says, dark chocolate will actually help in lowering your blood pressure.
4). How To Eat Good Quality Food While Traveling By : Gregg Hall When you are traveling whether on the road or airport hopping finding good food to eat at a reasonable price is an important consideration. When you are traveling eating out at fancy restaurants can take you over your budget in a hurry.
5). A Look At Some Of The Most Famous French Chocolate Makers By : Gregg Hall French chocolate is one of the most popular types of confection in the world. It is used in many tasty treats such as chocolate mousse and the ever popular chocolate eclair.
6). The Organic Buffet By : Della Franklin New trend of heating organic foods at a buffet.
7). When Considering To Buy A Gas Grill Keep These Things In Mind By : Gregg Hall Some people still choose to use charcoal grills, but these can be messy to clean and take time to heat up enough to cook on. This is why many people now opt to buy gas grills.
8). The Perfect Gift: Fresh Fruit By : Jessica Deets No matter the occasion and no matter the recipient, fruit baskets are appropriate. Fruit baskets can be anything but ordinary with a little planning.
9). Cooking Tips For Outdoor Chefs By : Bob Alexander Tips on how to light charcoal for barbeque cookouts and live to tell about it! Safety tips for the novice and experienced griller both. Delicious cooking ideas for smoking meats.
10). Fish Oil - It’s Health Benefits & Risks By : John H. Rogers As the name implies, fish oil is oil that is removed from the tissues of oily fish and is often recommended as part of a healthy diet program. Many nutritionists recommend that individuals each fish at least once a week, but emphasis must be placed on the importance of avoiding fish that contain certain harmful contaminants. In avoiding predatory fish, such as sharks and others, individuals will prevent the consumption of unhealthy substances which can accumulate due to the fish’s predatory lifestyle.