Planning Your 2026 Cook Calendar: What to Smoke Each Season

Outdoor cooking isn't just for summer! You can enjoy a lot of variety and enjoyment by exploring seasonal meat availability.

Is this the year you smoke and grill all year long!

What should you smoke in the winter?

Winter is the perfect time for long, "low and slow" cooks like brisket and chuck roast. Using the smoker to "pre-smoke" bones or vegetables that can be brought indoors later for winter soups and stews.

Heavy smoke and rich fats help you create the kinds of comfort foods that will see you through the rest of the cold months.

What should you smoke in the spring?

Lighter proteins and fresh flavors should dominate spring smoking. It's time for lighter meats like leg of lamb for Easter. Smoke seasonal vegetables like asparagus or artichokes, and explore light fruitwood smoke like apple or cherry.

This is also a great time to explore seafood smoking!

What should you smoke in the summer?

Summer is of course the time for classics. You're now entering peak BBQ season, and we bet you already have some ideas!

It's a great time to focus on pork ribs, pulled pork shoulders, and other foods that feed a crowd. It's also a great time to focus on unconventional summer treats like smoked peaches or pineapples, which make rich, excellent desserts.

What should you smoke in the fall?

This fall, consider diving into game meats and harvest flavors! Smoke your Thanksgiving turkey. Experiment by smoking root vegetables like sweet potatoes or squash. Give yourself a break as nights get busy by smoking a few chickens you can transform into fajitas and other meals later.

It's also a great time to experiment with oak for a versatile, balanced, and classic flavor profile, or with pecan if you're looking for something mild and sweet that will pair well with a pie.

How do you adjust your smoking technique for the weather?

When you're smoking meat, the weather can be your best friend or your worst enemy. Make it the former by accounting for it.

• Cold weather: The ambient air can pull heat even through the thick metal walls of a Lone Star Grillz smoker. Use high-quality welding blankets to wrap your cooker and expect to use a little more fuel than usual. Keep welding blankets away from the direct airflow path into the cooking chamber.
• Windy conditions: The wind gets into your intake vent and acts like a bellows, supercharging the fire. Position your smoker to shield your intake, or close your vents more than usual.
• Heat and humidity: You'll often need to open exhaust vents all the way to keep air flow moving. Otherwise, your fire might smoulder and you might struggle to get the clean blue smoke that creates the best results.
• Rain: Rain can drop your pit temperature by up to 25℉. Open your vents slightly to compensate for lost energy, but ensure your fuel supply stays dry.

Ready to step outside of your comfort zone? Try a new protein each season! And if you haven't found your perfect smoker yet, be sure to visit our store and take advantage of 0% 18-month financing to bring your chosen grill, smoker, or combo rig home to your backyard. We can't wait to hear what you cook!