Electric smokers are wonderful inventions. You get that smoky taste and aroma without all the bother and trouble of more traditional methods of smoking. You also get consistent temperatures and don't have to constantly check the coals or the logs. You can pretty much start the meat and forget it, other than maybe checking the water pan after several hours.

To get the smoke taste into the meat, you'll need wood or wood chips. You can buy mesquite or hickory chips at most any grocery store, or you can use twigs from peach trees, apple trees, oak trees, or pecan trees. Just soak the twigs overnight in water before using them. Before you start the smoker, just place the chips or the twigs on the burner at the bottom of the smoker.

If you're smoking two pieces of meat, put the one with the most fat on the top rack, and the leaner cut on the bottom rack. For example, if you're smoking a ham and a turkey at the same time, place the ham on top. That way, as the fat drips out of the pork, it will constantly baste the turkey.

The water pan is key in keeping the meat moist, so be sure to fill it. Water works fine, but for extra taste, try apple juice or half water and half juice. The apple juice also helps flavor the meat and is especially good with pork, chicken, and turkey. Some cooks also like to add wine in with the water in the pan.

Okay. After the water pan is filled, the wood is on the burner, and the meat is on the racks, start the smoker. Don't worry about careful timing - as long as the water pan has liquid in it, the meat is very forgiving and won't easily dry out. Cook large pieces of meat for about twelve hours, checking the water pan about halfway through cooking. Add more liquid to the pan at that time.

Many people like their meats to be very brown and crispy, with a layer of "bark" on the outside. If want your Boston butt or pork roast to have this crunchy layer, just remove the water pan for the last hour or so of cooking.

Smoking meats on the smoker is a real time saver for large gatherings like Thanksgiving and Christmas. It also frees up your inside oven for all those yummy casseroles and pies. Smokers also make wonderful gifts that will be used year round. Check out the ones listed below!