A smokehouse is a special device that allows you to cook food at home. There are two methods of smoking: cold and hot. Between themselves, they differ in the effect of the temperature regime: with cold smoking, products are processed with smoke of 20-40 degrees for several days. This saturates the food with pleasant aromas, kills all microbes, and removes unnecessary moisture. As a result, you get quite juicy, but slightly jerky meat or fish. We tried to determine what is the best cold smoked smokehouse in 2020.
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How to choose the right smokehouse
Today on the market, smokehouses are presented in a huge assortment. Inexpensive models have minimal functionality and a simplified design. For expensive products, created mainly for catering establishments, additional functions and several operating modes are characteristic.
Features of cold smoking
Hot smoking takes no more than two hours. It is better to cook lean meat and fish this way. The finished product can be stored for no more than two days.
Cold smoking lasts at least 10 hours and can take several days. Products are processed with smoke heated to 15-25 ° (40 ° for fish). Cooked food can be stored for up to a week.
Smokehouse varieties
Products are divided by the type of fuel used and are:
- coal;
- gas;
- electric.
Coal ones show the best results, since they work on the basis of natural wood. Gas wares are not very common as they require heated volcanic rocks. The most popular and easy to use are electric smokehouses.
Products are divided according to the purpose of use, therefore they are household and professional. The latter are designed for use in public catering.
Smokehouses are made of stainless steel, heat-resistant steel or cast iron. The last two materials are used very rarely, since they have more disadvantages in comparison with stainless steel.
Additional functionality
Additional devices allow you to improve the quality of food preparation. These include:
- Water seal. Makes the smoker more rigid, tightly closes the lid and strengthens its tightness, which prevents smoke seepage. Thanks to this, the product can be used even in an apartment.
- Thermostat. Distributes smoke evenly throughout the cooking space for improved cooking.
- Auto cleaning. This function makes it easier to care for the product.
Smokehouse selection rules
To immediately choose the right model, you need to know the selection criteria. Unfortunately, not all models have a good result. In order not to regret your purchase, consider the following points:
- Make sure the camera has sufficient depth. Only in this case you will be able to place a normal amount of food, maintain an optimal gap between the fuel and the grates.
- The presence of ventilation openings will help maintain optimal temperature conditions.
- The likelihood of smoke seeping out depends on the tightness of the lid.
- It is good if the model is equipped with a special tray for fat, removable legs or stand.
Rating of the best smokers for home use
According to the opinion of consumers, the following models are considered the best smoke lamps.
Grilyok
Created by domestic specialists from stainless steel. Fully complies with European standards. The elements of the smokehouse do not deteriorate even under the influence of high humidity. The walls are not very thick - 0.7 mm. In this device you can cook fish and meat.
Products are processed with smoke at a temperature of 30-40 °. The product weighs 9 kg, quickly assembled, sold with chips. The 30 liter chamber holds enough food for 4-5 people.
The disadvantages include the cost of almost 10,000 rubles and the lack of a pallet in the kit.
UZBI Dym Dymych 02B 50L
Suitable for a large family of at least five people. The case of the 50 liter model is made of alloy steel with good anti-corrosion properties. The parts of the smoke generator are also made of stainless steel, therefore, if used correctly, they will serve for a very long time. Products can be arranged in two rows.
All units of the product are easy to assemble. The 50 liter capacity allows you to cook enough food at a time. The body is easily cleaned of grease. There is a lifting handle. The stainless steel used in the creation of the smokehouse has food labels, which confirms its safety and suitability for cooking. Compressor capacity - 2.5 * 2 l / min, pump power - 2.9 W (it consumes electricity very economically). Smoke is transmitted under a pressure of 0.012 MPa, so its inflow is always constant. The model has a pleasant appearance, so it is suitable as a gift.
Considering the quality and dimensions of the product, it is sold at a very good price - 4,200 rubles.
To control the amount of sawdust, you will have to unscrew the screw located on the smoke generator each time. The body walls are very thin, only 0.8 mm and not rigid. The regulator is made of plastic. There is a small distance between the lid and the upper rack, so only small items can be placed there. Another disadvantage is the lack of a stand.
Universal smokehouse 2 mm
Created by domestic specialists from European-made stainless steel, which has not lost its original qualities for 100 years. Wall thickness - 2 mm. The product is presented in several versions, the minimum weight is 17 kg. The grates in the chamber can be placed on two levels. The smoking process takes place on the basis of alder chips.
The average cost of a product is 7 850 rubles. The set includes a pallet, wood chips, a bag for storage and transportation, a brochure with recipes. The model is equipped with a thermal sensor. It is called universal because it can work in both cold and hot smoking modes.
The disadvantages include heavy weight and the absence of a smoke generator in the kit.
UZBI Dym Dymych 01M
This 32-liter product is designed for a small family. Placing the planks on two levels allows you to put two grids for smoking small products or hang several large bird carcasses. For more convenient assembly of the device on the tube, rubber adapters are provided. Air pump force adjustment is provided.
The model has jumpers firmly fixed inside, so you can not worry that they will not withstand a large product. The product is universal: you can cook vegetables, bacon, meat, cheese and fish in it. The body is treated with a special coating that is not afraid of scratches and aggressive effects of chemical cleaning agents. The smoke is cooled to the required temperature and enters the smokehouse through a high-quality, durable hose. The spiral heating element distributes heat well over the sawdust receiving container.
The smoker is quite compact - its dimensions are 42 * 34 * 35 cm, so it can be installed even in a small kitchen. The smoke generator weighs 1.2 kg, the smoking container is 3.7 kg, so it is easy to carry if necessary.The manufacturer encloses everything you need in the kit with the product that you could start using the smokehouse immediately after purchasing.
Some users are not satisfied with the lack of a stand, although there is room for it, and a handle for lifting. The metal walls are only 0.8 mm thick. The regulator is made of plastic. There is a layer under the powder coating
carbon steel that is not resistant to corrosion.
Bradley Smoker Digital 6 Rack Smoker BTDS108CE-EU
The model is designed to be placed on the floor, is powered by the mains, and is electrically controlled. Chamber volume - 56.3 liters, power - 500 W, dimensions - 36 * 62 * 99. It can be heated up to 160 °.
The model is designed for cold and hot smoking. Equipped with thermostat and temperature control option. The set includes a pallet and 6 grates. There is an automatic shutdown option.
The disadvantages include high weight and high price - almost 75,000 rubles.
Which cold smoker is best for professional use
Since smoked food is always in great demand, special professional smokehouses have been developed for use in restaurants, cafes, etc. They have large roomy cabinets and a temperature control option that allows you to select the operating mode according to the density of the products.
Let's consider the most successful models.
Ttm Istoma-EM
The best option for use in small businesses. Withstands continuous operation at a temperature of 30-180 °. Cooking food at 30-40 ° will keep them juicy. There are 20 guides in the middle, so you can smoke different sizes and quantities of food.
The surface is made of stainless steel. Heating elements are arranged in a snake along the entire inner height of the product. The door is fitted with powerful hinges. The latch handle prevents smoke from escaping. The smokehouse is equipped with a touch panel. Special indicators notify about the heating of the device and the readiness of the dish. The user will be able to independently set the time and temperature. The power factor is 2.8 kW. Sturdy grates can handle even the heaviest food. You can smoke about 45 kg of food at a time.
Since the handle of the smokehouse is made of stainless steel, it may heat up during the operation of the product. The model uses a lot of electricity. The minimum price is 175,000 rubles.
Helia smoker helia 24
Developed by German specialists. It is considered the best smokehouse and can be used in any catering establishment. You can put 7 kg of food on its wire rack at a time. Thanks to the work from electricity and thermolele, you can set the operating mode from 30 °. The product does not come with a separate smoke generator, chips are poured directly into the middle of the product. It has a heat regulator, a cooking timer, an operation indicator.
The model features a robust sealed housing. The hinged lid is hinged so you don't need to hold it while pawing or checking food. Lattice 35 * 42 * 29 cm slides out. The smoker comes with a sawdust tray and special grills for cooking fish. In addition to cold smoking, there is an option for hot smoking at a temperature of 180-250 °. An insulated handle is provided for easy opening of the door. It is not difficult to set up the smokehouse using the informative panel. The porch is finished with a rubberized outline, so smoke will not seep out. One container is provided for all processes. A 1 kW product consumes electricity very economically. Despite its large capacity, the product is quite compact - 35 * 45 * 45 cm.
Many consumers are not satisfied that the power cord is only 1 m long, so the product should be placed close to the outlet, or additionally connected to a carrier. The product is heavy - 25 kg. Equipped with mechanical controls. For smoking a whole bird carcass, only the lower grill is suitable. The minimum price of the product is 71,000 rubles.
Alto Shaam 1767-SK / III
The model was created specifically for mass cooking. You can load about 90 kg of food into it at a time.The minimum operating temperature of 10 ° allows the products to simmer during the day, fully preserving their juiciness and softness. The doors are specially made of glass so that you can check the cooking status and not open the door unnecessarily.
The product stands on 4 wheels, so you can easily transport it. Two smoking cabinets work independently of each other, each of them is designed for 45 kg of food. Electronic control is provided. Working temperatures - 10 - 160 °. Magnetic latches. The grates can be placed in 11 positions. A special rack is provided for smoking ribs. The model is equipped with a four-digit LED display. The cooking timer allows you to delay cooking from a minute to a day.
Since the model is designed for mass production, it weighs 163 kg, consumes a lot of electricity and costs almost 1 million rubles.
