The battle here is about Smokers vs Grills which means this is between smokers and grills, about which of the two is the best, what are their differences, which of these two outdoor cookers should you go for, what are the things you need to know about them, and so on.
Here is the thing, the word ‘BBQ” has become so common that people now use it when referring to anything that has to do with outdoor cooking.
And the truth is that the methods and cookers used in outdoor cooking are quite different.
So, this guide will be all about the difference between a smoker and a grill or probably between smoking and grilling.
It is quite common for you to get a little bit confused when you are trying to get new barbecue equipment like choosing between whether to get a smoker or a grill.
I won’t choose for you which one is the best between a smoker and a grill but, all I will do is compare the two together and assist you with your decision-making of which one will be more suitable for your needs.
I won’t only help you through this guide with your decision-making about these two outdoor cookers but, also help you learn the differences between the two and some other important details about the two outdoor cookers so, read through till the end to get every bit of it.
The Difference Between Smokers and Grills
Smokers are used to cooking meat, vegetables, food that requires using smoke, or any food you choose to smoke.
And, on the other hand, grills are used to cook food through heat and the heat can either be direct or indirect, on a fire or a heated surface respectively.
Types of Smokers
A smoker is practically any gadget, appliance, or tool that traps smoke and can be used to cook food.
And, smokers are in good number and they even have varieties of power or heat sources.
A few mentions of some types of smokers include;
- Charcoal Smoker
- Gas or Propane Smoker
- Pellet or Sawdust Smoker
- Wood-burning Smoker
- Electric Smoker
Types of Grills
Grills are classified into two. They are the indoor grills and the outdoor grill, but, I will list a few of the types of outdoor grills in this guide.
A few types of grills (outdoor) include;
- Electric Grill
- Kamado Grill
- Pellet or Sawdust Grill
- Gas or Propane Grill
- Wood-burning Grill
The Difference Between Smoking and Grilling
What Is Smoking?
To put it in a better form, smoking is like the maximal form of barbecuing. This is just you cooking food companies with smoke you get from wood chunks or chips like hickory, apple, mesquite, cherry, or apple, all of which add their particular flavor to your food.
One of the differences between smoking and barbecuing is that smoking uses a lower temperature compared to what barbecue use.
And, this is so to get the smoky flavor well into the meat and also get your food properly cooked.
You should make sure to set your smoker to around 125 degrees Fahrenheit to 175 degrees Fahrenheit when you smoke your food.
I will say smoking requires more expertise compared to grilling and even barbecuing.
What Is Grilling?
Now, coming to what grilling is, it is just using a fire (fueled by gas or charcoal) to cook your food in a quick and fast manner.
So, the point here is that grilling is just all about quick and fast which also requires a temperature in the range of 350 degrees Fahrenheit or above. And, while all the cooking will take place in minutes.
You should use the temperature range of around 450 degrees Fahrenheit to 500 degrees Fahrenheit for food like chops and steaks.
Only thin, soft meats such as strip steaks, ribeye steaks, T-bones, and so on are suitable and best compatible for grilling.
This is so because cooking them with this method will help maintain and preserve their softness.
And, you should be quite careful while grilling to avoid overcooking and drying out your meats.
All you just need is a fire with a short time to have a soft, tender, juicy, and mouth-watering slice of meat.
And, you should also remember that the way you grill steaks is quite different when it comes to vegetables, fish, or poultry.
You are to apple low temperature than the normal temperature for grilling when it comes to more tender meats.
Choosing Between a Smoker or a Grill
When you are in the position of decision-making, when you are to choose between getting a smoker or a grill below will be a few questions you are advised to answer before you make your final decision.
Do You Like Smoked Food?
The first question you are to ask yourself is do you even like smoked food, have you ever tried smoked food?
So, this is to say, unless you have tried smoked food and also enjoy it, you should probably not get a smoker then.
This does not mean you should not get a smoker just because you haven’t tried it out before.
You can just go over to some barbecue restaurant or joint and get some for yourself, just to see whether smoked food is something you will like or not.
What Kind of Foods Do You Plan To Cook Outdoor?
If you are all about cooking the regular foods like hamburgers, hot dogs, sausages, chicken breasts, vegetables, and chops, you should probably go for a grill.
But, you should go for a smoker, if you plan to cook picnic shoulders, butts, briskets, and so on.
The bottom line of this is that what you want to eat, and how to cook what you want to eat should also be determinants of what you should go for.
Do You Have Time and Patience For Smoking?
As mentioned above, smoking requires time and patience. It also even requires expertise so, you have to consider all these before going for a smoker.
Smoking takes so many hours and sometimes all day especially when you are smoking large food.
And, on the other hand, grilling only takes some minutes so, you should weigh your two options and choose what suits you better.
Final Thoughts on Smokers vs Grills
The truth is, both smokers and grills have their advantages and disadvantages same as we have different kinds of smokers and grills.
So, this is to say, make your research quite well on whatever you choose between a smoker and a grill because there are varieties of them.
This guide has now served its purpose and it has served it well as you will by now have a good and better understanding of Smokers vs Grills.
So, this is the wrap-up of this guide, make your choice and only choose what best serves you.
