Smoker Vs. Grill – What Are the Differences?

Outdoor cooks might ask—if looking to master a smoker vs. grill—what are the differences? The answers to that question may seem subtle, but these are distinctly different methods for coaxing flavor out of food. Cooking time and heat levels are the glaring differences between smoking food and grilling it. The fact that some grills have smoker boxes and smokers sometimes come with grill attachments should be known. Other nuances might better help you decide which is the best cooking equipment for you.

The Basics About Using a Grill

A grill offers an impressive range of cooking options. Charcoal, gas, and electricity are the types of fuel used for outdoor grills. A grill’s surface can be as hot as 500º F or more. Therefore, it is useful for charring vegetables and searing meat.

You can use a pan on the grill for making sauces and frying food. The grill can even work like an oven if it has a lid and, with rotisserie attachments, it can cook whole chickens. If you add wood chips to a charcoal grill, the food might have a smoked flavor, but purists would say that is absolutely no comparison with a dedicated smoker.

Compared to using a smoker, grilling is a much faster way to prepare food. That is, direct grilling is the fastest way to grill food. However, indirect grilling takes more time, and it is perfect for helping to tenderize large cuts of meat such as ribs, briskets, and pork shoulders. This process can take 7 to 8 hours or more.

Whether or not you are known to be proficient with the grill, your work may attract an audience. If you need to step away, someone will need to watch the food for you, to prevent it from burning. These things can add to the atmosphere of an event.
Ultimately, however, the outcome of grilling is completely in the hands of the griller. For most people, great technique isn’t something that comes easily. You can easily bring a portable grill to use when camping, RVing, or tailgating.

Grills: Winning Attributes

In summary of the winning grill column as regards smoker vs. grill – what are the differences? A grill offers impressive versatility, it has portability, and it spotlights the cook. Grilling is quicker than using a smoker, but for great results, great technique is required.

The Basics About Using a Smoker

When you are using a smoker, preparation and patience are the star qualities of the cook. The depth of flavor in smoked food far exceeds the possibilities of what can be achieved with a grill. The tenderness and juiciness of meats cooked in a smoker tell the story. These qualities are cooked off in the higher temperatures used on a grill.

In a smoker, plan to cook meat between 30 and 60 minutes per pound. Before cooking begins, the process includes trimming, injection, and seasoning. A 16-pound brisket will take up to 20 hours cooked at 275º F. The moment when the smoking process can draw a crowd is at the last hour, with the big reveal!

Smokers can be used to preserve food. Cold smoking is a technique that preserves meat by removing the moisture that would otherwise allow fungus and bacteria to grow. Cold smoking imparts a wonderful smoky flavor, but meat and fish that are cold-smoked need to be cured or cooked before eating. Without refrigeration, cold smoked fish and meats can last for months.
Nuts, fruits, and cheese can be smoked, too, though there are no qualities of preservation cooking these foods in a smoker.
There is a lack of portability with smokers, making it an excellent way to cook at home but not on the go.

Smokers: Winning Attributes

In summary of the winning smoker column as regards smoker vs. grill – what’s the difference? A smoker offers superior results because of the incredible depth of flavor. Unlike grills, smokers can be used to preserve food. The big reveal can be a cook’s moment of glory, though the praise will likely continue throughout the meal.

At Doodlebuggers, we offer quality grills and smokers. Would you like to schedule a consultation with one of our experts to discuss smoker vs. grill—what are the differences? We’d love to help you choose the right equipment for your outdoor cooking adventures. Call the Doodlebuggers team at 850-243-0154 (Destin) or 850-477-1151 (Pensacola). You can also send us a brief message via our contact form.