Cooking on gas: what is good about a smokehouse for home smoking?

Home-smoked fish and meat are known for their amazing delicate taste, and preparing them in summer cottages has become a tradition.

But no less quality result This can also be achieved at home, using gas instead of fire for the smoking process, as well as special equipment.

Advantages

A home gas smokehouse will allow you to cook food with with less time and effort compared to those using wood and other types of fuel. It is also the most economical for the family budget.

The design of home smokehouses is thought out in such a way that minimize the amount of smoke, special smoke exhaust systems are used, in combination with compactness device this makes the use most convenient. Also small designs do not require complex care, they are easier to clean and wash, easy to disassemble, so their storage is not a problem, it is convenient to take such a mini-smokehouse with you on a trip.

Types of smokehouses for apartments

Smokehouses for home use differ by size and functionality. It is possible to make a gas smokehouse yourself. The main existing types of designs:

• For hot smoked - the most common type, due to its simple design and compactness. Smoking takes place in one compartment, the products are subjected to both heat treatment and exposure to smoke.
• For cold smoked - is distinguished by its large size due to the installation of an additional chamber that cools the air to the required temperature (no higher than 40 degrees). Smokehouses of this type require more complex maintenance, and most importantly, time spent on cooking - smoking can take more than two days. These shortcomings are compensated by the special exquisite taste and aroma of the resulting smoked delicacies.

Smokehouses for apartments are usually small in size so that they can be conveniently stored between uses. There are both rectangular options, designed for two or more burners, and vertical, which usually take up only one burner. Built-in options are also possible, designed for more frequent use and larger volume.

Gas smokehouse device

For home smokehouses, the same type of household gas is used as for residential buildings:

• liquefied gas from cylinders (propane-butane mixture)
• natural gas (methane)

Gas is either supplied separately (for built-in and large-sized models), or the hob of a gas stove is used (placed on the burner).

Photo 1. A rectangular smokehouse installed on the stove takes up several burners at once.

Safety rules

Using smoking equipment in an apartment setting requires compliance with special rules:

• smoke exhaust arrangement - smoke is discharged into the kitchen ventilation directly or removed by means of the hood, it is also possible to equip smoke exhaust through the window
• tightness - some models use a water seal (a trough with water in the upper part of the device, into which the lid is installed);
• fumigation with smoke from smoldering wood chips - sawdust or wood chips from fruit trees are placed on the bottom of the smokehouse;
• pallet for draining fat - installed over sawdust;
• gratings for products - depending on the dimensions, it is possible to install several tiers.

When the gas heats the bottom of the body, the chips begin to smolder and emit smoke, which rises up to the chimney and fumigates the grate shelves with products. In devices for cold and semi-hot smoking, the smoke is pre-cooled.

How to choose the right smokehouse

For home use, the best choice would be small vertical device for one burner, with the following characteristics:

• consists of wood chip compartments, pallet for fat, vertical housing with grilles, lids;
• availability water seal, ensuring smoldering of wood chips without access to air;
• sizes from 20-30 cm in diameter and to 50-70 cm in height.

In home gas smokehouses, smoking of all types of meat, poultry and fish, processing of lard is successfully carried out, it is also possible to prepare vegetables "with a smoky flavor" and smoke cheeses.

How to use the device

For correct use To make a home gas smokehouse you need to follow these steps:

• fill up with wood chips to a special department, install above pallet for fat;
• install grates And put on them products, prepared for smoking;
• pour water into a water seal, tightly close the lid;
• install the smoker on the burner (or turn on the supplied gas source).

Treatment with smoke and hot air not only gives products special taste qualities, but also has an effect bactericidal effect, while preserving natural amino acids. A compact gas smokehouse for home use is an economically advantageous choice and will allow you to quickly process meat and fish in the comfortable conditions of your own kitchen.

Useful video

The video shows how to properly prepare a smokehouse with a water seal for use.