The Many, Meaty Benefits of Cooking Low and Slow

There are countless ways to cook a protein. You can sautee it, seer it, baste it, grill it, or -- our personal favorite -- smoke it. When you barbecue your meat, you're able to bring out and infuse all kinds of flavors and textures. And cooking your meat low and slow has to be one of the best ways to do it. In today's post, we'll talk a bit more about how using your BBQ pit smoker to cook at a low heat for a long time can make for the perfect meal.

What does cooking low and slow mean?
This one's pretty straightforward, actually. The phrase refers to cooking with a low temperature over a slower time period. It may not be the most time-efficient method (so if you're in a rush, you'll want to consider another technique). But the end result simply can't be beaten. When you smoke your meat this way, you'll keep temperatures between 225 and 275 degrees Fahrenheit for several hours. Whole cuts of pork, beef, lamb, and veal need to reach an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit to be considered safe for consumption, so there's no problem there. But by keeping the heat lower and the cooking time longer, you'll end up with a better product overall.

• Your meat will be juicier, more flavorful, and more tender: One of the main advantages to smoking in this fashion is that the meat will be so much more enjoyable to eat. The low temperature and slow cooking time won't dry out the meat, which means it'll retain its juiciness. It'll also have more flavor, particularly if you use an amazing sauce or dry rub, due to the smokiness your equipment provides. Giving the time more time to cook at a low temperature will also give it that desirable fall-off-the-bone tender texture. All in all, that makes for an unforgettable meal that you simply can't replicate when you cook on a grill at high heat for a short amount of time.
 
• You'll have a lot of options: Some proteins are well-suited to a standard grill or other types of cooking methods. But when you choose to cook low and slow, you'll have several delicious vessels to choose from. Using this method, you can smoke ribs, pork butt, whole chickens, brisket, prime rib, leg of lamb, and even sausages or fish. And with all the possible sauces, seasonings, and rubs you can use, the possibilities are nearly endless. This gives you the opportunity to really get creative and hone your skills as a pit master.
 
• You'll have more time to enjoy: We're guessing that if you've looked into custom BBQ smokers, you have a passion for the entire process. Although you need to be attentive when you make smoked meats, it's a relatively simple process. It does take a while, but that can be a good thing. It'll give you more time to enjoy the amazing weather, for one thing. You can freely socialize with friends or family, catch up on your reading, listen to a podcast, or simply catch some rays. As long as you replenish the smoker supplies when needed and keep an eye on the fire, you'll be good to go. If you're slaving over a conventional grill, you have to constantly pay attention to make sure you don't burn the hot dogs or undercook the chicken breasts. But with a BBQ smoker, you can relax a bit and actually enjoy life while you make some excellent food.