It’s that season where I just slide open the patio door and turn up the grill. Even though the weather is trying to find its season. I really love smoked flavor, and have experimented with various ways throughout the years to replicate it, without a proper smoker. The other day at Home Depot, I just gave in and made Certain Someone purchase a Weber Smoker Box and bag of pecan wood. It will have to do until I convince him to get me the Big Green Egg, which I’m coveting after using at a clients home. I’m patient. The smoker box really is effective and proves you can get great flavor with a gas grill. It’s just about technique.
I normally used Hickory Wood , but I’m loving Pecan now, which is suitable for fish, poultry, pork, lamb, and beef. An all around winner. You want to soak the wood chips for at least 20-30 minutes before adding to smoker box, on a very high temp grill. Once added I turned off the other dials to smoke my meat indirectly, with the lid closed . The only flame was on the smoker box to get it smoking, and that’s eventually turned to a lower temp. I checked periodically to keep my temperatures at a steady 225-250F on the dial. When the wood was at his highest heat point and really smoking, I needed to adjust dials accordingly to maintain the temperatures.. These are the little finesse things you need to watch. Try to keep your lid closed as much as you can so the smoke can permeate the meats. I smoked these wings for about 1 hr or more and they were delicious. You must make sure your chicken reaches an internal temp of 165 before serving.
- 1 tbsp. Guajillo Chili Pepper
- 1 tbsp. Ground Jalapeno Pepper
- 1 tbsp. Ground Ginger
- 1 tbsp. Kosher Salt
- 1 tbsp. Ground Garlic
- 1 tbsp. Ground Onion Powder
- 1 tbsp. Ground Cumin
- ¼ cup dark brown sugar
- Mix together .
- Toss in Chicken wings and let marinate for a few hours in the refrigerator .
- Smoke the wings according to blog post.