Although gas grills are not known as traditional smokers, it is still possible to create less complex but delicious and subtle smoky flavours. The intensity of the smoky flavor grows with the lengthier period of time given to introducing smoke to the food.
Wood chip smoker boxes and pellet diffusers are great items that fit in a strategic area of the grill. There are many types of wood chips and food grade wood pellets that can be used in wood chip smoker boxes and pellet diffusers. Hardwoods and fruit woods come in many assorted types and sizes and help to provide that specific smoky flavour you are looking for. Whether it’s beef, pork, poultry, fish, seafood or vegetables there is a wood chip or pellet that usually pairs nicely. One of the more subtle mild flavours come from alder wood smoke. This one generally pairs nicely with anything you wish to infuse with wood smoke. Fruit woods are nice and subtle as well. Some of the more aromatic and intense flavours come from mesquite and hickory. Try them all and decide what your favourite flavour profiles are.
Wood Chip Smoker Boxes:
It is a common understanding that wet wood smokes. Most of us have been at a campfire where wet wood is thrown on an open fire. Whichever wood chip you select make sure that you give them a good soaking in water before putting them in the smoker box. The wetter the chips the longer they smolder and smoke. Put the wood chips in a container with water and put a heavy plate like item on top to aid in fully submersing the chips in the water for maximum water absorption. It is a great idea to start soaking the chips a day before. Put your smoker box filled with wet chips in between 2 diffusers that sit above the burners. Put the furthest outside burner on low so that you can maximize the smoke before the chips fully combust and burn out. You can add more wet chips to the smoker box on items that you are grilling for longer periods of time. You may want to put a few larger chunks of wet wood in with the chips for a bit more prolonged time of smoking.
Food grade wood pellets would work as well. Pellets do not require the presoak step. Keeping the grill main hood closed during smoking will help with creating a more smoky flavour .
Pellet Diffuser:
Made specifically for wood pellets and smoker pucks this item is equally a fun and convenient way to infuse your grilling items with the subtle flavours of smoke. Fill the diffuser reservoir with your favourite food grade pellet , remove the standard diffuser and place the pellet diffuser in its place. Depending on the grill size you could add more than one pellet diffuser. Turn the main burner under the pellet diffuser on low for about 40 seconds and as soon as the pellets show a small sign of smoke turn the burner off. The pellets will continue to smolder and smoke for 15 to 20 minutes. Depending on the item you are grilling you may want to refill the pellet diffuser and continue smoking. Keeping the grill main hood closed during the most intense smoky period will help with a stronger smoky profile. Remember this is for a subtle smoky flavour.
Get yourself a smoker box and or a pellet diffuser and enjoy the subtle flavours of wood smoke infusion. Bon Appetit!
