Everything You Need to Smoke a Chicken

First things first: you needthe right bird to smoke. Plenty of online purveyors sell whole chickens for delivery if you want to avoid the store, but if you're hunting for your own in the meat section, consider what size you need. A smaller 3-4 pound bird will feed two to four people, a 4-5 pound bird will feed up to five, and any group bigger than that will ideally need two birds (and face masks or social distancing). You can also focus on one cut of chicken, like leg quarters, to ensure consistent results from bite to bite. Fresher is better, so frozen isn't ideal, but ultimately both are better than chicken packed with added water. Allow 35-45 minutes per pound for cooking at 225 degrees, so a standard chicken will take around 3 hours to smoke. Always ensure the internal temperature at the breast is 160-165 degrees, and remember to let the chicken rest in foil for 20 minutes after smoking to allow those juices to redistribute and permeate.

Order atfarmfoodsmarket.com,porterroad.com, orrastellis.com

If you don't already own a smoker but want a quality, user-friendly model, theWeber Smokey Mountainis a great choice. The plated steel cooking grates are easy to clean, and rust-resistant legs and porcelain-enameled steel will withstand the elements underneath the cover. The individual vents on the bowl and lid and the built-in lid thermometer make temperature adjustments easy, and the side door is handy for adding wood or charcoal as needed. It comes in three sizes depending on what your needs are: 14-, 18-, and 22-inch diameters. It gets up to temperature quickly and is as simple to light as a standard charcoal grill. There's also the option of using your charcoal grill as a smoker. Bank the hot coals to one side of the grill, then prop the chicken up on a垂直鸡烘烤器(or a beer can) on the opposite side.

Weber Smokey Mountain 18-inch Smoker, $329 atamazon.com

Staub Vertical Roaster, $170 atsurlatable.com

Chicken goes well with milder, sweeter woods. Applewood is the lightest in the flavor department, which is great for putting a focus on the barbecue rub. Maple is slightly stronger and works well with poultry as well as pork, if that's also on the menu. Cherry will create a beautiful reddish hue on the skin and works well if mixed with hickory for another layer of smoke. Pecan can also be a good option if you want something both rich and sweet, but avoid mesquite since it's a little too much for chicken flavoring. If you want to forego sweetness altogether, pure hickory is the right option for you.

• 苹果木楚nks, 15 lbs for $31 atamazon.com
• Maple Chunks, $19 atamazon.com
• Cherrywood Chunks, $17 atamazon.com
• Pecan Wood Chips, $13 atamazon.com
• Hickory Wood Chips, $18 atamazon.com

Get the ultimate utility apron that everyone from pitmasters to pastry chefs love. Hedley & Bennet's Char Classic Apron has all the pockets you need with the durability perfect for smoking projects. The dark grey can stand up to any charcoal stains, and the straps are easily adjustable for all sizes.

Char Classic Apron, $80 athedleyandbennett.com

If you're serious about your smoking process, awireless remote meat thermometeris a great investment. The dual probes can keep tabs on how quickly or slowly the meat is getting up to temperature and will beep and flash when the bird is done. If you're looking for something a little simpler, a good instant-read thermometer will also do the trick. ThermoPro'sdigital instant-readoption is accurate within one degree, folds away easily, and has a magnetic back for convenient storage.

ThermoPro Digital Instant Read Meat Thermometer, $14 atamazon.com