How to turn your COBB into a portable smoker

Use your COBB as a mean little portable smoker! Simply sprinkle some wet smoking chips on top the the coals (CobbleStone, charcoal or briquettes) if you are using the coal COBB, or place a small dish filled with smoking chips on top of the burner on the gas COBB and watch it smoke away. The Dome Lid acts as a chamber trapping all the smoke. For the best smoking experience, use the Aluminium Grill Grid, which comes standard with any COBB Grill purchase, along with the Fenced Roast Rack accessory. This combo will maximise smoke entering the chamber and infusing into your food.

Here are some tips to help you smoke food on your COBB grill:

Use the COBB smoking plate: The COBB grill comes with a dedicated smoking plate. This plate sits on top of the grill’s base and helps create a space for the wood chips and diffuses the heat for smoking. Make sure to use this plate when smoking on a COBB grill.

Soak wood chips: Soak your wood chips in water for about 30 minutes before using them. Drain them well and then place them on top of the smoking plate on the COBB grill. This will produce smoke and infuse your food with rich flavours.

Control the airflow: The COBB grill has adjustable vents on both the top and bottom. Adjust these vents to control the airflow and maintain the desired smoking temperature. Opening the vents allows more oxygen and increases the heat, while closing them reduces the airflow and lowers the temperature.

Use a drip tray: Place a drip tray or aluminium foil beneath the food to catch any drippings. This makes clean-up easier and prevents flare-ups caused by fat or juices dripping onto the coals.

Preheat the COBB grill: Preheat your COBB grill before adding the food. This ensures that the wood chips are producing smoke before the food is added. It also helps maintain a more consistent smoking temperature throughout the cooking process.

Monitor the temperature: Use a thermometer to monitor the temperature inside the COBB grill and the internal temperature of the food. This will help you ensure that your food is cooked to the desired doneness and that the COBB grill maintains the optimal smoking temperature.

Keep the lid closed: While smoking on a COBB grill, try to avoid frequently opening the lid. Each time you open the lid, you let out heat and smoke, which can affect the cooking time and flavour. Only open the lid when necessary, such as for adding more wood chips or checking the food’s progress.

Plan for longer cooking times: Smoking on a COBB grill typically requires longer cooking times compared to traditional smokers. The compact size of the COBB grill may require some adjustments and additional time to achieve the desired tenderness and smoky flavour.

Experiment with flavours: Just like with any smoking method, you can experiment with different wood chip flavours to add unique smoky tastes to your food. Consider trying options like hickory, mesquite, apple, or cherry wood chips to add variety to your smoking experience.

Practice and adjust: Smoking on a COBB grill may take a few tries to get the hang of it and find the right balance of heat, smoke, and cooking times. Experiment with different techniques, recipes, and adjustments to find what works best for you.

Enjoy the process of smoking on your COBB grill and savour the delicious smoky flavours you can create!