How to Turn Your Charcoal Grill into a Smoker - CHOW Tip

CHOW.com Senior Food Editor Jill Santopietro recommends that you smoke all sorts of things: fish, cheese, salt, and, of course, meat. And you don't need a fancy smoking device: You can smoke food on a basic kettle grill. It's really easy.
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TRANSCRIPT
If you have a grill then you have a smoker. First thing you're going to do is soak the wood chips for fifteen minutes to a half hour. You can use apple, cherry woods, cedar wood, hickory, mesquite, there's so many different kinds of woods and all those woods can flavor. Then you're going to take unlit charcoal and dump it over to one side. Pick up one cup of the soaked wood chips. Shake off the water and you're going to place them right on this unlit charcoal. Light up some more charcoal and dump that on top of the unlit charcoal. And you're going to take another, about cup of the damp wood chips and place them right on the top there. Now you need to grab your drip pan and you're going to place it next to the charcoal. Put the cooking grate over the burning charcoal and the drip pan. Next you're going to take this aluminum loaf pan and fill it with water. This is going to keep the temperature of the grill down to 250, 300, instead of getting up to 400, 500. And then you're ready to let it preheat. Place the thermometer right in one of the vents and you're going to wait twenty minutes. Once it's at about 250 degrees Fahrenheit you know it's hot enough. Place your cooking item next to the aluminum pan and away from the heat. You're going to place the top on, making sure that the vents are over whatever you're cooking because if the vents are over the flame the smoke will just go out. Smoking doesn't have to take three hours. It can for bit pieces of bone but it can take as little as twenty minutes for a piece of fish or you can smoke cheese, you can smoke foie gras, you can smoke nuts, salt, you can smoke anything really.

[@dustjunky2000]

thank you for this awesome how-to. Just the way it should be. no annoying intro, no bs filler, no happy horsesh*t. just the info, quick and simple. subbed.

[@bryanflores6747]

"you can smoke anything really" ain't that the truth

[@Molten74]

Lmao

[@Hannable28]

Light that Shit up then lol

[@conniebrown8745]

Hannable28 already

[@mrdarkremnants922]

This comment deserves 420 likes.

[@cassandrajesus654]

Haha

[@chaddskinner7972]

This just might be the best quick tutorial for how set up a Weber kettle for smoking.

[@squirrelonmapletree]

I followed this to the best of my ability on the Weber grill I have and the smoked salmon came out wonderfully. Thank you!

[@SiliconFlux]

Great video. I'd recommend not using aluminum foil as it leaches aluminum oxide into your food. I use an oven safe glass container. For pure smoking, I'd also recommend hickory or mesquite over cedar.

[@johnkimble7079]

Never smoke with cedar! You should use only hardwoods for smoking purposes. Fish can be cooked on top of a cedar plank but you don't want to smoke with it. Also, use wood chunks instead of soaked chips. You should be aiming for a thin stream of "blue" smoke, not billowing clouds of white or black smoke, which will produce acrid flavors.

[@map3dsp]

She’s fine, don’t over think it and keep it simple

[@AkiffHssn]

She smiled when she said "you can smoke Nuts" Lol

[@constanciodelapena8436]

Akiff Hssn lol

[@melonhead49]

Lmao

[@chaddskinner7972]

Didn’t we all???

[@jessebrown4755]

Haha

[@jonnehayesjr.9299]

Actually she didn’t.

[@feliciamaddox8530]

Thank you so much for making it so easy for me having to listen for a long long, long, long long intros how much time to get to the point person more videos please amazing job you just got subscribed. Thank you very much for sharing.

[@wonderstew]

This video is so quick and to the point and for some reason it makes me super attracted to this woman.

[@gttb78]

ever hear of cold smoking? if cooking a large piece of meat (pork shoulder or brisket)... just put the meat on the grill from the beginning rather than waiting for the grill to reach the temp of 250. you will have more smoke penetration creating a better BBQ for everyone.

[@jazmincordero2590]

Can you smoke weed?

[@conniebrown8745]

Haha

[@XDXDXDXDXDXDXDXDXDXDXDXDXDXDXD]

Hell yeah! Smoke weed everyday

[@ChildofYAH]

Yes indeed!

[@brandonpringle16]

you are smart and hot and handle the grill like a man

[@joemama-lq9yx]

You can just imagine her father doing a facepalm after..."you can smoke nutts"

[@Tewrobert]

Fantastic, Wish they was all half as good as you are. Simple, quick and easy and you didnt bog it down, Two thumbs up, More if I had em :) Thank you.. I am getting the mullet ready now.............

[@StaIIHawker]

Soak your wood chips in Doritos consomme for that south western kick.

[@vicarofrevelwood]

NEVER USE CEDAR AS A SMOKING WOOD!

[@gerry3x]

I'd like to smoke a turkey but I don't have papers big enough

[@elpunky1161]

Smoke anything really! I like that, I'm calling my buddy hunter!

[@sigdriver1]

" You can smoke anything really", I think its time to smoke my neighbor's barking dog lol..

[@megaCK1000]

Heard that kind of meat is really ruff though

[@stormydays4977]

why smoke the dog smoke the neighbors instead lol. .leave the dog alone

[@ahzar4384]

Dog is actually quite delicious. Just tenderize the meat real good n marinade for about 12-24 hrs.

[@mvallin]

Dont smoke with cedar, trust me.

[@hyderimani1]

Jill, i like your innovative idea. keep up the good work.i am going to try this out. gentlemen, please show some respect for the lady, who is trying to teach us.

[@mistergrillmx]

Dear Jill, this just made my week!!!!, I have a Weber and a Brinkmann smoker, but with this tip, I'll look to sale my brinkmann!, you just roasted the water charcoal smokers!, cut at one ninth the smoking time!! Just wonderful!

[@iswizz559]

You can smoke weed

[@FoodOfDeeDay]

Thank you so much ! I am a female that wants to learn to smoke. You made this so easy!

[@SuperTugz]

Actually I tried this and it really worked. Definitely gave my smoked sausages a southwestern kick!

[@RichJames-n4k]

Thanks. Can you make smoked salmon this way?

[@WorldConkerer2012]

can you smoke Doritos consomme?

[@MyWisdomTeethHurt]

Can you use morning wood?

[@quevif]

you can smoke anything

[@parkij11]

Alright.

[@rollawayjack2854]

I like smoking stuff

[@jenkins998]

So....you can put a ridiculous amount of charcoal and wood chips in there, put a drip pan of water over the fire, put the lid on with the dampers wide open.....and suddenly you have 250 degrees???

[@williamkirkgaard9679]

Yeah but you shouldn't smoke meth lol. When you say a cup do you mean the actual measurement or a handful?

[@TheBeaker59]

Way to make an easy job hard, just split some suitable wood into pieces 3 inches long and thick as a mans fingers make a fire with the sticks make a pile about the size of the charcoal she had once the wood is 1/4 consumed and some charcoal is formed then put the fish on put the lid on with top and bottom vents open and leave for one hour job done no need for trays of water or soaking chips etc etc. I rub the fish with 50/50 salt and brown sugar and refrigerate overnight first.

[@jaypal3815]

Can you smoke weed?

[@twouppers4541]

I smoked some shit once ;)

[@perception776]

What about dmt??

[@LauraGrace]

This is the best tips video I have seen in awhile. I'll be smoking brisket tonight. Thanks!

[@rowenate3419]

👌

[@hexmachine6599]

"You can smoke anything" haha, I bet she could! I wonder if she ever tried smoking an African Black snake? Apparently it good tasty meat when it's smoked.

[@guillotinedreams]

Can I use a lodge cast iron bread pan instead of the aluminum pan? I don't like cooking with aluminum.

[@coreymcniel3390]

I am sure you can still buy handbook with all info you need on woodprix. Just google it.

[@davenicholson9003]

I would like to smoke ....!!! Not allowed though ...!!

[@Mo-P]

@dblock911... really... that's your response.... go find a life

[@killzoneman11]

can we put dorito consomme in the tin instead of water to get a southwestern kick?

[@woodlandcammo27]

Less wood chips, and for that amount of meat you don't need much. Less charcoal n less chips.

[@tylerdaniel4043]

What if 250 is too hot? Do you then just turn the vents away? Looking to keep the smoke temp at 150ish

[@Mrhanzax]

you can smoke cheese.... in a 250 degrees grill.... i think not.

[@svtcontour]

Cool. I will try this. I've got one of those Webers so this would work perfectly.

[@jaystoner9475]

Better smoke a brisket too 'cause your going to be hungry after smokin' that weed.

[@TheRealD-Trigga]

"You could smoke anything really" Ya.. Pretty much

[@carloscesar1202]

Thanks for sharing, it is a good idea, I will try next time

[@Gaara4life]

Thank you for the video, it was very informative!

[@mrman123321]

lool

[@morales760]

"smoke weed every day!"

[@jaymeez]

Smoke anything? How bout sum weed :)

[@-Kal-]

Wayyy too much smoke! It'll make the food bitter.

[@3ddon602]

that looked like some dirty smoke coming out of that grill

[@hakansoder5279]

Good idea with the water tray there to keep the temperature down

[@geurgeury]

CAn i smoke a smoke?

[@garlic_time]

I'm going to smoke some Dorito's consomme.

[@iRTheUnknown]

yeah, i can smoke anything! great motivational video :D

[@YTJasonNguyen]

she loves wood

[@aajohn0864]

Do you have to add coals or more wood? I'm doing some ribs right now. The chips went quick so I added more but I haven't added any more coals yet.

[@northamericanemperor]

i think using small split wood pieces of red oak are the best to add to the collection because they last very long and adds some serious smoke to the rest

[@curtwilliams2683]

You can smoke nuts...lol

[@TheBtak13]

She used too many wood chips. That grills is spewing out too much smoke.

[@tommywalker742]

No, just no

[@TheHALLOOON]

Where's justin bieber? I lost him :D

[@Tornbjergs]

@MistressCheii How did it end out ?

[@Anonymous06831]

nuts? lol

[@bbbhhgg]

Yummy the best way to do it,

[@skatekoh]

ill stick to smoking my weed

[@snaht1]

@lvcoats74848 lol

[@Mojo1996]

@wisconsinskater09 Lmaaaaao

[@DevilDeano10]

that just looks dangerous.

[@MrCodmw3champ]

you can even smoke yourself

[@ihmlihml]

"You can smoke anything, really."

[@gilligun29]

That's alot of smoke lol

[@zabby123456789]

@TheHALLOOON lost her*

[@bbbhhgg]

Nice job great tips,thnks

[@snaht1]

@wisconsinskater09 lmao

[@1b1rother]

Smoke salt... rly?

[@sfshrimp]

Can I smoke weed? :)

[@KibaThaWolf]

Lol, not regular cheese xD

[@Toebz]

smoke ved errday

[@TheOkami1113]

Sure enough, hunh?

[@MrCodmw3champ]

Dude! U are so right

[@zoharp55]

1:24 road kill

[@HiddenTreasuresEnt]

Thanks

[@JohnjrF]

LMFAO!!!!

[@di3inglife]

damn pro lady

[@bkpickell]

What do you do if you have a vent that's in the middle of the lid?

[@Kenney9120]

I have a grill with four sides and its top vent is also in the middle with bottom vents on both sides, but I see smoke coming out from under the lid all around. It fills the entire body of the grill. However, if you want vents on the side, you can cut a small hole in the grill and then use heat proof tape to cover a certain part of it like a vent. I am going to do that so I can use the charcoal "snake" method on one side and have the meat on the other and well shielded from the heat.

[@UpcomingJedi]

How do you smoke cheese without it melting to shit and falling into the ash covered bottom? is it recommended to use a locker type smoker instead where the smoke is not hot?

[@MrGlennJohnsen]

wouldnt you loose your tempature in 2 seconds if you lift the lid = the tempature thing being pointless. you cook on a grill by measuring the tempature of the thing ur cooking.

[@darkwolfx04]

you can smoke anything? XD

[@11MMann]

YOU COULD EVEN SMOKE BATHSALTS!

[@rodfuller7732]

You can smoke Molly

[@uncledickie]

Or just buy a Slow and Seer for your kettle