A vertical smoker, just like any type of cooking device using fire, must be used with care . Grills and smokers pose unique problems because people often use them outside. And hey, grilling with friends and beer is a popular pastime. So when using your vertical smoker, take a moment to think about a few basic safety tips.
If you’re using gas as a fuel for your smoker, check to make sure your hose, regulator, and nozzles are in good condition. Gas can leak from any of those and explode from the ignition or from fire inside the smoker. Also, check the smoker frequently if you are cooking with a very low heat setting to make sure it is still going and not just emitting gas.
With charcoal vertical smokers, be careful adding more charcoal. In the light , sparks and flying embers can be difficult to spot. Ash also can burn you or stick to your meat.
Which brings us to the second big safety tip: keep the smoker away from things that can ignite easily . If the weather has been dry, keep the smoker away from wooded spaces and make sure you have watered your lawn recently . Wood decks are awesome for parties, but if your deck is dry and old , it can be very dangerous for grilling and smoking . Put a damp towel under the smoker if it’s on a wooden table or bench.
And make sure it’s stable. Charcoal vertical smokers, especially, can easily catch surrounding things on fire when they tip over. Gas smokers are a bit safer, but sometimes the burners can come loose and fall out of the body. Electric smokers may be the safest, but because the elements get very hot to warm the chips to a smoking point, the elements can burn a wooden deck or pine needles and dry leaves and pine needles.
You also cannot let a smoker unattended for a long period of time. You can turn your back on it or set the smoker and go inside , but leaving the property or staying inside for hours without checking it is a huge no-no.
For your own safety, make sure you don’t get too close to the smoker while it’s hot. It sounds like a no-brainer, but if you have friends over and you’re in a good conversation, your attention can falter .
Most importantly, mind how much you drink! More accidents happen when people are drunk and playing with their smokers. It’s also a good idea to keep drunk and rowdy friends at a distance, as well.
Keep those in mind and you’ll have a great smoked dinner and a great time . Happy grilling!