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Barbecue is the quintessential activity for a muggy summer day, something doubly true for smoking meat. But for all the setup and waiting around, you may be asking yourself “Is there an easier way to do this?” You can find the answer to that question in “lazy BBQ”, the even lazier way to spend your time this summer.
In honor of Lazy Day (August 10th), we’ve compiled a list of simple ways you can make your smoking experience easier than ever. Follow these suggestions for the ultimate lazy BBQ experience!
Lazy Tip #1: Liquid Smoke
Starting things off is a tip that is probably as easy to do as it is controversial. It’s true that BBQ purists may thumb their noses at resorting to using liquid smoke. And yet, this BBQ alternative is an ideal way to perform lazy BBQ. That’s because it is simple, convenient, and more commonly used than you may realize.
If you’ve never heard of liquid smoke, it is just as its name suggests. Liquid smoke is an ingredient that can infuse meat with smoky flavors without the need for smoking or barbecue. This means you can cook BBQ-like food on your stove without the need for a grill or smoker. Simply brush on a small amount when seasoning your meat, or include it as part of your marinade. And just like that, you’re barbecuing without the hassle of having to do setup and cleanup.
Liquid smoke is widely available in commercial stores where it can be purchased at relatively inexpensive prices. It is often found in the barbecue sauce sections of local supermarkets where it is offered in flavors such as hickory, pecan, and mesquite.
As much as it seems like a recent innovation achieved by technological advancements, the opposite is true. Liquid smoke is a natural product that was invented by Ernest H. Wright over a hundred years ago. After he discovered how to condense smoke from burning wood, Wright tested his new product by coating a ham and serving it to his unsuspecting friends.
Liquid smoke became a hit when it was first sold in 1895 and remains popular to this day. In fact, liquid smoke is widely used as part of many commercial products. These include hot dogs, smoked meats, bacon, and BBQ-flavored foods where “smoked” is mentioned in the name.
So even though liquid smoke has gotten a bad reputation, the truth is that most of us consume this product in other ways. Since that’s the case, why not give liquid smoke a try? It will definitely be an asset for anyone who wants to do “lazy BBQ.”
Lazy Tip #2: Smoker Bag
You’d think that nothing can be easier than adding a few drops of liquid to meat. If that’s the case, we’d like to introduce you to the smoker bag, the simple BBQ alternative that is as easy as putting meat inside a bag.
Just as with liquid smoke, the smoker bag allows users to create BBQ-styled food without the need for a grill or smoker.
The secret behind this Finnish invention is the way it uses a multi-layered bag. Wood for smoking is placed in an outside layer while the ingredients are placed in an inside layer. When the bag is heated from the bottom, tiny holes in the middle layer allow smoke to infuse the food.
With a smoker bag, it’s possible to create an entire meal using ingredients like fish, chicken, meat, and vegetables. Instead of being an approximation, a smoker bag actually introduces real smoke to your food, resulting in a medium smoky flavor. And with no setup or cleanup required, the smoker bag is a convenient way to barbecue the lazy way.
Lazy Tip #3: Remote Temperature Monitoring
Smoking meat is a waiting game that can take hours. It’s important to keep temperatures at low levels so that the meat stays tender and juicy. By reducing the heat inside a smoker, smoke is able to condense and drip back onto your food, giving it its unique flavor. And yet, your ongoing responsibility is something that persists during this time. How can you continue to check on something that can take half a day or more?
The answer: Remote temperature monitoring.
Remote temperature monitoring allows you to keep a close eye on your food as you busy yourself with more important things. Instead of having to stay close to your smoker, remote monitoring lets you keep watch from a distance.
Take for example a wireless Bluetooth thermometer such as the Twin TempSpike Truly Wireless Dual Probe Meat Thermometer. The Twin TempSpike allows you to simultaneously monitor internal cooking temperatures and ambient grill/smoker temperatures. This way, you can get accurate, real-time temperature measurements that provide a comprehensive understanding of your grill/smoker. More importantly, this gives you a way to partake in your favorite pastime without hassle, making for the perfect way to do lazy BBQ.
Final Thoughts
Lazy BBQ isn’t just a way of life; it’s a glorious way to live your life. So when your next craving for BBQ hits, try BBQ the lazy way. Enjoy the BBQ lifestyle in accordance with your own lifestyle, and relax!
Are you interested in remote temperature monitoring? Want to get a wireless Bluetooth thermometer? Want to check temperatures on your grill or smoker from the comfort of your own phone? Check out ThermoPro’s full lineup of meat thermometers on our Amazon store!
