DIY Barbecue Guide: how to turn your grill into a smoker for $10

How to turn your barbecue into a miniature smoker using a $10 metal box, a handful of wood chips and a little bit of chutzpah.

1. Buy a smoker box (preferably cast iron) and wood chips (available at Wiener’s Home Hardware, 432 Bloor St. W., 416-922-7043). Apple is a good all-purpose wood, hickory complements chicken and pork, and mesquite is terrific for beef.

2. Fill the smoker box two thirds of the way with wood chips. Lift up the grate of the barbecue and place the box directly over a burner on the hottest part of grill—usually the top corners. Replace the grate.

3. Crank the barbecue up to high. Cover and preheat for 15 minutes. At this point, the wood should be smoking like Don Draper.

4. Lower heat and cook food, preferably with the lid closed. Chips produce smoke for about 40 to 50 minutes, so this method is good for fish and smaller cuts of meat.

(Images: Joel Kimmel)