BBQ Water Smoker Equipment

A water smoker has some unique features that other smokers do not contain. Most water smokers are an upright cylinder (vertical or bullet). The smoker contains two pans. The lower pan holds the charcoal and the upper pan holds liquid.

Water boils at 212 degrees. The lit charcoal directly below the water pan causes the water to produce steam. The steam flows through the inside of the smoker, maintaining the heat and adding moisture to the meat.

There are different types of charcoal to use in your water smoker. Briquette charcoal is the least expensive and most readily available. Lump charcoal is the purest form of charcoal and does not contain additional additives that are found in briquettes. Use a charcoal smoker to light your charcoal, placing a small amount of wadded up newspaper under the chimney. Whatever you do, never use lighter fluid to light your charcoal.

The smoke and flavor comes from wood chips. When you first start smoking meat, use wood chips sparingly. You can increase the amount of chips after you've had a little time to experiment. Some of the most popular woods are hickory, mesquite, pecan, oak and apple. Any hardwood or wood that come from fruit or nut trees can be used in your water smoker. Do not use any wood that contains sap.

Once you start using your water smoker, you'll want to pick up a few tools. A good pair of heat resistant cooking gloves is essential. If you are cooking a whole chicken or pork butt, it's going to be much easier to pick up if you have gloves.

Another important tool to have is a thermometer. The only way to determine if the meat is done is with a thermometer. You have to be able to check the internal temperature of the meat.

One last item that is important is a rib rack. A rib rack will allow you to fit more ribs into your water smoker.

This list of items will get you started cooking on your water smoker in no time. Don't get too worked up if you can't get it all at once. All you need to get started is the smoker, charcoal and meat. The rest of the stuff can wait. Just remember to enjoy the process. Best of luck and happy smoking!