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urnmor · 11-03-2021, 06:31 AM

I am curious to know if anyone uses a hand held smoking gun like the Breville or even the Polysci smoking gun either while camping or at home. I am thinking it might be a nice way to add smoke flavor to food while camping.
Thank you

nryn · 11-03-2021, 06:39 AM

I use one at home for a variety of things but I have to say—if I was out camping and saw someone using one of these I would probably chuckle and roll my eyes. I believe the commonplace way to add smoke flavor to things while camping is called a campfire.

urnmor · 11-03-2021, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nryn

I use one at home for a variety of things but I have to say—if I was out camping and saw someone using one of these I would probably chuckle and roll my eyes. I believe the commonplace way to add smoke flavor to things while camping is called a campfire.

I understand however not all campgrounds allow campfires. That is why I asked.

ROBERT CROSS · 11-03-2021, 07:15 AM

Is it really a 'campground' without a campfire?
Bob
🇺🇸

NO...It's a 'Glamping Ground'
Or so dry you really shouldn't be there.🥲

tbrowne · 11-03-2021, 07:16 AM

I'd say it depends on how you use it. If cooking inside, then it would be same as at home. My question is how much stuff do we really want to carry with us on a trip? I'm a minimalist and try to carry as little as possible. That way I know what I have and where to find it.

SilverFire · 11-03-2021, 09:18 AM

Smoke flavor is easily added via gourmet wood flavored chips or pellets in smaller portable pit barrels, kamados, grills, biomass stoves with smoker boxes, trays, tubes, and other options. Smoking guns are best suited for controlled commercial environments. More crap we don't need in the field or in our trailers IMO.

DonRich7878 · 11-03-2021, 09:56 AM

Like any master of his trade, one can never have too many tools. If I see someone with a smoke gun, I will grab a nice bottle of wine and invite myself to dinner.

urnmor · 11-03-2021, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DonRich7878

Like any master of his trade, one can never have too many tools. If I see someone with a smoke gun, I will grab a nice bottle of wine and invite myself to dinner.

That is what I am thinking that I need to add one to my kitchen.

urnmor · 11-03-2021, 11:23 AM

My question is how much stuff do we really want to carry with us on a trip? I'm a minimalist and try to carry as little as possible. That way I know what I have and where to find it.

I would not take in on shot trips however we do go away for a month at time and I enjoy having my cooking tools with me.

fthopkins · 11-03-2021, 11:50 AM

I'm with you nryn and Bob. For me "no campfire equals no camping". Can't see kicking back with a cold adult beverage and a smoke gun. A few drops of Hickory Smoke Sauce is a great way to give your steak or chicken or even sauteed vegetables a campfire kick.

Atwebs · 11-03-2021, 11:57 AM

For great smoke, soak your chips (oak, pecan, apple, whatever you like) in water for an hour or two and then add them to your charcoal BBQ. If you are using gas, pop them on a small aluminum foil tray near your meat (make it about the size of a cell phone) and close the lid on your BBQ. Perfect smoke everytime and no need for extra equipment.

nryn · 11-03-2021, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by urnmor

I understand however not all campgrounds allow campfires. That is why I asked.

Urnmor, my apologies. I generally try to avoid being snarky or negative on the Intertubes and my response was a little flippant and not very helpful.

Like others who have chimed in, I've really limited the amount of stuff in the trailer because more stuff is...more stuff. I do have extravagances (e.g. a small espresso maker) and they aren't much different than your smoke gun. I'm a serious cook and love modern cooking techniques, but a smoke gun wouldn't make the cut for me. That said, if I do want some smoke flavor I'll cook over a campfire or use smoked sea salt (I can't stand the liquid smoke stuff). There are also more analog ways of imparting smoke flavor (e.g. a smoke box in the grill or burning shavings in a dutch oven). I find all of these yield superior results to a smoke gun, though I understand the place for a smoke gun at home (imparting specific flavors without heat).

As for campfires, you'll find that those restrictions are in the mountain states and points west. I'm sure there are campfire bans east of the Rockies from time to time (such as during droughts) but I have yet to encounter them. I've gone to using a propane firepit over a campfire most of the time, but every now and then I'll head over to the camp store and pick up a pack or two of firewood and have a nice evening under the stars.

Anyway, hope that helps.

**Janet H** · 11-03-2021, 02:59 PM

I had a breville infuser for a time (home kitchen) cool thin although I rarely used it. was almost never used.

There are other ways to add smoke flavor to food - Black cardamom, Lapsan souchong, Smoked cheese, bourbon smoked black pepper, smoked olive oil, etc and some menu planning might allow you to use a foil packet / wood chips technique when you cook outdoors and go smoke free indoors.

Starlight Mike · 11-03-2021, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

Is it really a 'campground' without a campfire?
Bob
🇺🇸

NO...It's a 'Glamping Ground'
Or so dry you really shouldn't be there.🥲

Those places are no fun unless it’s 6:00 at night and you leave at 7:00 in the morning

urnmor · 11-04-2021, 09:18 AM

My thanks to all for your responses. However I do need to clarify one thing. I have no issues with campfires and/or the smoke they emit. I just don't use them anymore, probably more from laziness than anything else. That said if I want to watch a fire and our son is camping with us he lites the fire and cooks over it. If he is not with us I get a glass of rum or wine and angle my lounge chair towards the neighboring campfire. this way I get the best of both worlds.

As to cooking with smoke every now and then I do like smoke on my food, heck I cook my ribs for five hours and my Boston butts for about 16 hours. that said I would also like to impart some smoke in other foods I cook that I do not cook on our grills. that is why I thought the smoking gun might work.

I also do not like to bring a lot with me on short trips however on trips of two weeks or longer I like to travel with many of my cooking appliances and tools. As I truly enjoy cooking and see no reason why I cannot have the same meals camping as we have at home.