When it comes to smoking meat for the first time it can be hard to know what to do, thanks to this handy guide we’ll be breaking down the basics and telling you how to choose the right meat, how to use your equipment, and how to do the actual smoking process. Smoking your own meat is a very personal thing, with the opportunity to personalize the different things you use as you become more experienced. Getting started in smoking your own meat creates a real sense of achievement and is a skill to be used throughout the year, having a supply of home-smoked goods is a real treat which can be passed on through the family.
Choosing the Right Meat
You may be surprised to know that you can smoke anything, depending on what you choose to smoke will decide how long you should smoke your chosen produce. You should think of it in the same way you would if you were cooking the meat normally, something like a chicken will take a few hours to be smoked properly whereas a steak will not require as long in the smoker especially if you like your meat on the rarer side. For your first time smoking, I would say that you would be better off choosing meat that you are familiar with and one that you enjoy. That way you should be able to recognize when the meat is ready as well as being able to taste the difference in comparison to your standard cooking methods.
Smoking Equipment
Of course, before you actually get started with your first attempt at smoking you will have to decide what level of equipment you are going to invest in. For your first attempt, I would recommend using a cheaper, basic barbeque. This has everything you need for a successful smoking session and if you are lucky enough to already own a barbeque will save you a lot of money. You will need some basic barbeque tools that are strong enough to withstand high temperatures, safety gloves, and your chosen wood.
If this isn’t your first time having a go at smoking meat or you are serious about starting this hobby, then you may choose to invest in an electric smoker, although these devices are quite expensive they more than pay for themselves when you start regularly smoking delicious meats. If you are in the market for a new electric smoker then visit https://mycozybackyard.com/best-electric-smoker/, for a review of one of the best models on the market.
Choosing the Right Wood
What many people forget 
when it comes to smoking meat is how the wood affects the taste of the finished product, professional smokers have been arguing over which type of wood is the best and the answer is that it depends on the flavor you enjoy. Classic oak wood is going to generate quite an earthy taste in comparison to something fresher like pinewood, the best thing to do in this situation is to try different types and find your favorite. You will also find that different woods have different burn times, so you should also consider how much of a type of wood you use during a single session so you can work out which wood is the most cost-effective.
If you want to add more flavor to your meat there is no reason why you can’t add some extras when you start smoking, many people enjoy adding different fruits and vegetables and some herbs and spices to the mix to add extra flavors to the smoked meat.