Getting Inside Smoky's Head

What is liquid smoke? I am doing a project and it calls for liquid smoke. I don't know what it is. And why should it be banned? Should I use it? Thanks! Chase

Hi Chase,
Liquid smoke is a product derived from running smoke from burning wood through a water bath until the water absorbs the volatiles from the smoke. Included in these are cresols, phenols, benzene and several other constituents known to cause cancer. Those who sell the product try to control the amounts of the most dangerous, i.e. benzene, nevertheless, I would not use it for anything other than treating fence posts or sheep dip. And to the discerning palate it is offensive.
Have fun,
Smoky

I would like to know which are the advantages of smoking food from the health point of view. Is smoke cooking healthy? Does smoke cooking create any health problems? Thank you very much. Dimitri Panagiotou

Hi Dimitri,
For several hundreds of thousands of years, we cooked exclusively over wood and wood coals. If that were unhealthy, we would have become extinct or adapted.

You might click into "According to Smoky" at www.barbecuen.com and read the "Glossary" for true definition of smoking.
Have fun,
Smoky

We have this friend that insist on submersing his charcoal in a can of gasoline before placing them on the grille to light. Worst thing is, is that he doesn't let the coals burn till they are white before placing the meat on the grille. I say this isn't very healthy, what do you think? Thanks Greg

Hi Greg,
It is a well known fact that sniffing gasoline fumes damages the brain cells. Sounds like your friend has had a few sniffs too many.

It is unsafe, unhealthy and downright dangerous!
Luck,
Smoky

Why do they call the top part of the shoulder the butt? Being from Memphis, of course they expected me to have the answer. It just had to come up as we savored our first butt of the season slow smoked to perfection. HELP! Clueless in Carolina. Martha

Hi Martha,
Legend has it that the salted shoulders were shipped to Boston and other points along the East Coast in oak barrels called "butts." And from that they came to call that part of the front shoulder a "Boston Butt."
Have fun,
Smoky

GURU @ Barbecue'n On The Internet
Author and Lecturer
Author of Great American Barbecue & Grilling Manual

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Presidential Chicken - Barbecue'n On The Internet

With the elections only weeks away and the candidates running around like, chickens with their heads...you know, we thought it only right to name this recipe for the winner of the race.

Gentlemen, may the best chicken, ah man, win.

• 3 Tbs olive oil
• 1 Tbs Paprika
• 1 Tbs fresh ground black pepper
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder

In a medium-size non-reactive bowl, combine all ingredients and blend well with a wire whisk. Marinate the chicken for 20 minutes. Cook chicken over medium heat until done. Serve immediately.

Each month we give away one heck of a grill to one of our lucky readers. By far, the Old Smokey Grill is our largest selling portable charcoal grill because of its durability and ability to produce great tasting food. There is only one winner each month! The winner of this month's Old Smokey Grill - #18 is:

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