SELECT A SMOKER That Suits Your Needs
I grew up in Minnesota, but I had the opportunity to move to Louisiana right after college. While I didn’t stay in the state for a long time, it’s where I got to experience true smoked meats in small-town restaurants and roadside barbecue shacks for the first time. After growing up on a diet largely comprised of well-prepared — but somewhat bland — meats and potatoes, with the occasional wild game and fish, the flavor I experienced from true Southern barbecue was a life-changing experience for my palate.
When I returned to the Upper Midwest, I struggled to find barbecue that was like the Southern type I’d experienced. If I found myself in larger cities, I usually sought out local barbecue restaurants, and I noticed regional differences in taste and preparation. I decided that if I wanted to add smoked meats to my own family’s menu, I’d have to understand the process and learn to make them myself.
While it’s possible to make ribs and even brisket in your kitchen oven, I realized I needed to find a smoker to get the true
