Let's smoke right at home! What is a gas smokehouse?
One of the most delicious types of food is smoked products.
It doesn’t matter whether you like smoked fish, meat or balyk – sooner or later you will want to prepare these products yourself, without chemical additives, in full control of the process.
Most devices designed for smoking, are quite large in size and are located mainly on summer cottages. What to do if you want smoked products, but do not have huge territories on your property?
Gas smokers come to the rescue, which can function anywhere, where there is a gas stove, even in a small apartment.
Types of gas smokers
There are only three types:
- gas smokehouse with water seal;
- hot smoked;
- cold smoked.
Smokehouse with water seal
In such smokehouses, cooking becomes extremely simple. The fundamental difference between the devices is the presence of a water seal, which is a shallow groove located at the top of the device. The water seal does not allow large amounts of water evaporate, which means you will have to top it up much less often.
Photo 1. Smokehouse with a water seal in a disassembled state. The grate on which the products are laid out is visible.
It is being installed special grille, where the processed products are laid out, after which the smokehouse is placed on the stove and the water seal is completely filled with water. In order for the smoke to come out, it is necessary to put a hose on the nipple and lead it out the window.
Hot smoked
This type of device differs relatively compact size, is ideal for smoking meat and fish. Products prepared using the hot smoking method are exposed to both smoke and high temperatures, which makes their taste soft and delicate. But the shelf life of such delicacies is limited - about 3-5 days, so it is not worth buying too large models for a small family.
Cold smoked
The shelf life of cold smoked products is several weeks. But the smoking temperature must be constantly maintained at the same level (about 40 degrees). This can only be achieved by increasing the cooking chamber, and therefore the size of the mechanism as a whole. The cooking time for smoked products is 2-3 days.
Design and characteristics of a gas smokehouse
The device itself is rectangular box made of stainless steel sheet. This material is most often used for the production of smokehouses, since it is the most durable, flexible and does not require special operating conditions. Some models have a water seal.
Photo 2. The smokehouse is in the process of smoking products: it is installed on the stove, a hose for smoke removal is connected to the device.
There is a special chamber in the cavity of the box, designed for burning wood chips. The most important part of the smokehouse is smoke exhaust hose, which is usually brought out to the window. In the box itself there is a grate on which the products for smoking are placed, and a tray for dripping fat. Before starting smoking, the box must be covered with a lid.
Connecting to a gas stove
The gas smokehouse does not require connection to the stove as such, it is enough to simply place the structure on the stove and turn on the gas. The device can operate on any gas. Wood chips are placed on the bottomIf you use a water seal, you need to pour water into a special tank.
Important! Smoking devices come in a variety of sizes, so you need to check before you go to the store. measure the dimensions of a gas stove! Ceramic plates are not suitable for use in smokehouses.
Installing a gas smokehouse, its correct and safe use is a simple process, it is only important to know the exact dimensions of the gas stove and the room in which you plan to place the device.
Gas smokers vary in size from 450x300x270 mm (the smallest models, ideal for a small family) up to 610x310x300 mm (the largest devices).
A separate issue is the correct choice of wood chips.
The best option is - fruit chips, giving the dish a special taste and aroma.
Attention! Under no circumstances should wood chips be used. coniferous or birch species — the bitterness contained in the resins will make the smoked products bitter and tough.
Features of use
The correct choice, connection and use of the smokehouse is not difficult, you just need to know the exact dimensions of the gas stove. In order for the device to work, Place the food on the rack And place on the stove with the gas onThe product does not require any special storage or operating conditions, the main thing is to follow the general and very obvious safety rules.
Useful video
Watch a video review of a smokehouse with a water seal: what it consists of, how to properly prepare it for work.
I don’t see any fundamental difference in smoking, especially if there is an exhaust hood!