How-to guides
The charts and step-by-steps behind every good cook. Start here, then grab a recipe or the Smokey Treat Cookbook.
Charts to keep handy
Smoking Wood Pairing Chart: Which Wood for Which Meat
A simple chart for matching smoking wood to beef, pork, poultry, fish and more, plus how strong each wood is and when to use chips, chunks or pellets.
Smoking Times and Temperatures Chart (With USDA Safe Temps)
A simple chart of smoker temps, cook times and target internal temps for brisket, pork, ribs, poultry, fish and more, with USDA safe minimums.
Smoking meat
The Brisket Stall Explained (and How to Beat It)
Why brisket and pork shoulder stop rising around 150–170°F, how long the stall lasts, and your options for pushing through it.
Foil vs. Butcher Paper: Which Wrap Is Better for Smoking?
Foil is faster and juicier; butcher paper keeps better bark. Here's how each wrap works, when to use it and what kind of paper to buy.
Pellet Grill Basics: How They Work and How to Use One
A plain-English guide to pellet grills: how they work, startup and shutdown, temp settings, pellets, more smoke flavor and simple upkeep.
How to Season a New Smoker (Every Type, Step by Step)
How to season or burn in a new offset, electric, pellet, kamado or drum smoker before your first cook, and why it matters.
Smoking fish
How to Smoke Fish: The Complete Beginner's Guide
Learn how to smoke fish at home: picking fish, wet and dry brines, the pellicle, smoker temps, wood, the safe 145°F finish and storage.
The Best Fish for Smoking (and the Ones to Skip)
Which fish smoke best? Compare 18 fish by fat, flavor, best smoking style and wood, plus which lean fish to skip and how to smoke shellfish.
Hot Smoking vs. Cold Smoking Fish (Plus Kippered, Lox, Nova and Candied)
Hot-smoked, cold-smoked, kippered, lox, Nova, gravlax and salmon candy explained, with temps, texture, safety and why hot smoking is best at home.
Jerky
Smoker vs. Dehydrator for Jerky: Which Is Better?
Smoked jerky tastes better; dehydrated jerky is easier and more consistent. Here's how to choose, and why many jerky makers use both.
How to Store Jerky So It Lasts (Homemade and Store-Bought)
How long jerky lasts at room temp, in the fridge and in the freezer, how to pack homemade jerky, and how to tell when it's gone bad.