How to Set Up for Smoking

Smoking

Smoking on an Auplex kamado grill produces rich, deep smoky flavors that penetrate meats, fish, and even vegetables like nothing else. The ceramic design naturally imparts a clean wood-fired taste that is hard to match, yet certain recipes shine even brighter with an extra dose of smoke. The following steps will help you achieve consistently outstanding results every time you smoke.

Preheat the Kamado Grill

Begin by bringing the grill to a stable temperature between 225°F and 250°F. This low-and-slow range is the sweet spot for true barbecue smoking, allowing collagen to break down gently while the food absorbs maximum flavor.

Use the Heat Deflector

A heat deflector is absolutely essential for proper smoking on the Auplex kamado grill. By placing it between the fire and the cooking grate, you convert the grill to indirect heat, which is critical for slow, even cooking without flare-ups. The combination of the deflector and the thick ceramic walls makes it remarkably easy to establish and hold the precise low temperature needed for hours of uninterrupted smoking. Fine-tune the airflow with the top vent and bottom draft door to lock in the exact degree you want.

Chips or Chunks?

The choice between wood chips and wood chunks significantly affects the intensity and duration of smoke. Experiment freely with different woods, quantities, and combinations to find your perfect profile. For shorter smoking sessions, scatter a handful of hickory, apple, cherry, or other flavored wood chips directly onto the glowing charcoal to quickly infuse a burst of aromatic smoke. For longer cooks or when you want a deeper, more pronounced smokiness, opt for larger wood chunks. Soaking the chunks in water beforehand is optional but can slow their burn and produce a steadier, cooler smoke over an extended period.

Control Airflow

Maintaining steady temperature during a long smoke comes down to disciplined airflow management. Keep both the top vent and bottom draft door set to relatively small openings and resist the urge to make frequent changes. Tiny, occasional adjustments are all that's needed to hold rock-solid temperatures for many hours, giving you the set-it-and-forget-it reliability that makes kamado smoking so rewarding.