I have been a fan of food smokers for many years and I have owned several, however nothing I have ever owned, can hold a candle to the cutting edge modern smokers of today. The smoker that I currently own is a Bradley Technologies smoker. The particular model that I own is called the "Jim Beam". It is an electric, 4 rack, self contained digital smoker with an automatic feed for the wood chips which are referred to as bisquettes. They are compressed "patties" of wood that rather resemble a hockey puck. They are inserted into a smoke chamber which funnels the smoke to the food compartment and they are dispensed at an interval of 1 every 20 minutes. This self feed feature makes smoking almost a no brainer as there is no need to constantly monitor and manually feed the smoker. The digital temperature control consistently regulates the temperature at varying degrees so there is no guesswork or room for error.

Smoking foods is actually a process of cooking, flavoring and preserving foods by exposing them to the smoke of smoldering plant material. Different woods are normally used in the smoking process and different wood varieties produce different flavors. Fish and meats are the most commonly smoked foods although many other foods such as vegetables, cheeses, nuts and even fruits turn out quite tasty. Alder has been the traditional smoking wood in Europe for many years but oak is becoming very popular. In America there are many other popular smoking woods being used. Mesquite, hickory, oak, pecan, alder, maple, apple, cherry and plum are among the favorites that are commonly used. Some American ham and bacon smokehouses even use burning corn cobs as their choice for a unique smoked flavor. Sawdust from the Manuka (tea tree) is commonly used for smoking fish in New Zealand. Historically farms in America would include a small building referred to as the smokehouse, where meats could be smoked and stored. Usually these would be separated from other buildings because of possible fire damage and excess smoke.

There are different variations of smoking. Hot smoking, cold smoking and smoke roasting just to name a few.

HOT SMOKING- exposes foods to both smoke and heat in a controlled environment. Although foods that have been hot smoked are sometimes reheated or cooked they are typically safe to eat without further cooking. Hams are considered fully cooked once they are properly smoked. Hot smoking takes place within the range of 165-185 degrees F. In this temperature range foods are fully cooked, moist and flavorful. If you smoke foods hotter than 185 degrees F the foods will shrink excessively and can split. Smoking at high temperatures reduces yield as both moisture and fat are cooked away.

COLD SMOKING- is usually used as a flavor enhancer for beef, pork, poultry, fish and other seafoods. Items can be cold smoked for short periods to give a touch of flavor or they can be cold smoked for longer periods for a more intense flavor. The foods are then ready to be finished cooking by methods such as baking, roasting, grilling and sauteing. They may also then be hot smoked for an even deeper smoked flavor. Temperatures for cold smoking should be below 100 degrees F. In this temperature range foods take on a rich smoky flavor, develop a deep mahogany color and will retain a moist texture, however they are not considered cooked by this process.

SMOKE ROASTING- is the process of both roasting and smoking concurrently. Sometimes this is referred to as barbecuing or pit roasting. This may be done in a barbecue pit, a smoke roaster, or any smoker that can reach 250 degree F or higher. Foods are considered fully cooked when properly smoked by this method.

Personally one of my favorite smoked foods is a standing rib roast. I love to smoke this roast in my Bradley smoker with the hickory flavored bisquettes. Bradley even makes Jim Beam wood flavored bisquettes which I am dying to try for my next standing rib roast. Another of my favorites is a smoked turkey and here's my little secret, I mix mesquite with cherry bisquettes. This imparts a nice smoky flavor with a just hint of sweetness.The possibilities are literally endless with all the different foods, the many varieties of wood flavored bisquettes, and the combination of the wood bisquettes. I am always thinking of new and innovative ways to use my Bradley digital Jim Beam smoker. The fact that the unit is electric and I do not have to change propane tanks and buy dirty charcoal just fuels my desire to smoke away. My Bradley smoker allows year round food enjoyment for myself as well as my family, friends and neighbors.I have become the hit of the neighborhood since I got my Bradley smoker. I constantly leave them wondering just what I am going to come up with next. It amazes me that an old fashioned method of food preservation in the pre-refrigeration days has become a modern day recipe for just plain FUN!