Close Proximity Smoking

The phrase was coined by our friend Meathead, proprietor of AmazingRibs.com. Several years ago, Meathead suggested putting wood pellets or chips in the valleys of GrillGrates and we’ve never looked back! Adding smoke flavor is not just for low and slow cooking. It’s easy to add smoke flavor when grilling hot and fast too, even on a gas grill. Tossing a handful of wood pellets in between normal grates on a grill would be a waste. They would just fall into the bottom of the grill. But flavored pellets in the valleys of GrillGrates slowly smolder, while the bottom plate of the GrillGrates keeps the pellets from catching fire. The result is amazing smoked flavor on your steaks, burgers, chicken, and even fish.

Check this video recipe from AmazingRibs.com – “Simply Smoked Sea Bass”, Chilean Sea Bass to be exact, which Meathead refers to as “the single best tasting creature in the sea”.

We agree, we grilled Chilean Sea Bass with Lemon Caper Butter Sauce a few years ago at our Christmas party and it was amazing).

While it’s the easiest, pellets in the valleys isn’t the only way to get smoked flavor when grilling. We also love using the A-Maze-N Tube Smoker which comes in 6” and 12” sizes depending on what you need. (the 12” is mostly for low and slow)

The benefit of using the tube is that pellets or wood chips are contained for easier clean up. You can also move the tube around your grill wherever you need it.

We’ve got literally a DOZEN flavors of BBQr’s Delight Pellets for you to try in your tube smoker, in the valleys, or even in your hopper. They’re only $4.49 a bag so get a couple of different flavors while you’re at it.

Another great smoking product is the Smokist Smoking Pouch. The pouch provides amazing smokey flavor when paired with Smokist Wood Chips in either Apple, Hickory, or Mesquite.

The benefit of the pouch is that it seals at the top, so you don’t run the risk of wood chips falling out as you move the pouch around. Additionally, the pouch is made with a very fine mesh, that limits air flow to the chips so they smolder slowly.

There’s lots of GRATE ways to Add a Kiss of Smoke to your food, and the best part is, you don’t need a smoker to do it!

GrillGrate. Eat Well.

-Meagan