An outdoor party is one of the most fun ways to spend your sunny afternoons. However, throwing the perfect one takes a lot of planning and preparation. Apart from setting up the right lighting and furniture, one of the essential elements for an alfresco party is the food.
When preparing your menu, you should always make sure to consider the preferences of your guests. While some prefer grilling, others prefer the practicality, taste and health benefits that come with smoking meat. Smoking is a low-fat cooking process that doesn’t require the use of oils, fats and sauces. It creates a distinct flavour in the meat that many people know and love. Smoking is also a great way of preserving your food for longer. Once the party’s over, instead of throwing it away, you can store away the leftover meat in the fridge for the next day.
How Does a Gas Smoker Work?
To prepare your delicious smoked meat, you will need to choose the right smoker. There are several different types of smokers – charcoal, electric, pellet and gas smokers. Although all of these offer their unique advantages, I will talk a bit more in detail about gas smokers, which are recently growing in popularity among Australian households.
These smokers contain a propane tank and they produce heat with a burner that sits at the bottom of the unit. A wood chip tray that’s placed above the gas burner generates the smoke. A modern commercial gas smoker lets you impress your family and friends with restaurant-quality smoked meat. Their multiple exhaust vents allow for better smoke and temperature regulation. They have a sturdy construction and contain four adjustable shelves that allow you to smoke larger quantities of meat at once. Gas smokers are compact, easy to install and can fit into any outdoor space. Their side handles are heat-resistant, so they’re easy to move around as well.
What Are the Advantages of Gas Smokers?
Beginner-friendly
A lot of people hesitate to get into smoking because it seems like a difficult business. What they picture first is dealing with the annoying mess that comes with charcoal smokers. Bbq gas smokers are much easier to handle. They ignite at the push of a button and heat up pretty quickly. The only thing you need to worry about is occasionally adjust the temperature, vents and dampers, which takes only a bit of practice to achieve.
Allows You to Cook the Meat Evenly
Whenever you cook meat for an outdoor party, you face the risk of under or overcooking it. Different types of meat require you to adjust the cooking time to get those perfectly cooked juicy pieces. By using a vertical smoker, you can hang ribs and other meat on hooks. This way the smoke can easily circulate around them and cook them evenly.
Smoked Meat Is Healthier
Meat itself is an important component of your diet. It’s rich in proteins, vitamins and minerals that are important for your well-being. However, when it comes to cooking the meat, not all methods are equally healthy. Smoking meat doesn’t require any oils or other additions that can be potentially harmful to your health. Some studies even show that smoked meat has a higher iron content compared to grilled meat.
Gas Smokers Are Versatile
Due to their large temperature range, these smokers allow you to cook any type of food. When you’re finished cooking your meat, you can lower the temperature and lightly smoke some nuts, cheese, or jerky to give them that extra boost of flavour.
Easy to Clean and Maintain
Compared to other types of smokers, the commercial gas smoker takes minimal effort to clean up. All you need to do is wipe off a little ash, drippings from the meat and clean out the wood chip tray. It’s also a good idea to lightly wipe down the grates and exterior after each use to prevent rust from forming.
Are Gas Smokers Dangerous?
All types of smokers are potentially dangerous, so it’s important to handle them with care. Whenever you’re working with heat, fire or flammable substances you need to be properly prepared and alert while cooking, since there’s always potential for something to go wrong. It’s a good practice to keep a fire extinguisher nearby at all times. However, you should also educate yourself on how to use it to avoid any unwanted accidents.
Gas is a dangerous substance. If you don’t treat it carefully, it can cause explosions and fires. Keeping a few things in check will help you avoid any dangerous accidents. When installing your appliance – make sure that you properly connect the pipes, valves and hoses. If you notice any damage to these parts, it’s best not to use them. If you smell a leak or any other suspicious odour, it’s best to stop using the smoker until you’ve contacted the manufacturer. Avoid making any modifications to the appliance and always refer to a licensed technician.
Another way of preventing accidents is by frequently cleaning the smoker. Grease fires are common, so you should clean the grease and fat build up at least every second cook. To make things easier, you can use a drip tray that you can remove after you’re done to save on time and effort.