How To Use A Smoker For Hot Dogs
Have you ever tucked into a delicious smoked hot dog at a summer party and wondered exactly how your host managed to create this culinary delight?
The world of smoked food may seem like a mystery, but we’re here to clear the smokescreen (pardon the pun)!
So, how do you use a smoker for hot dogs? Hot dogs should be smoked over a combination of hardwood and fruitwoods, such as oak, apple, and cherry. They need to be smoked for about one hour at 225°F. A perfectly smoked hot dog will be juicy and full of intense smoky flavor.
Are you feeling inspired to try your hand at smoking at your next outdoor gathering? Read on to find out everything you need to know about using a smoker for hot dogs!
Why Should You Smoke Hot Dogs?
If you’ve never tried a smoked hot dog, you quite simply do not know what you are missing! Yes, hot dogs are great just as they are, but smoking takes these family favorites to a whole new level!
When smoked, the rich and intense flavor of the hot dog is transformed by this simple process.
Your family, friends, and guests cannot fail to be impressed when you pull out a tray of sizzling smoked hot dogs, and nobody needs to know just how simple this method really is!
All you need to smoke hot dogs is your normal barbeque grill, a smoker, woodchips of your choice, and some hot dogs. You may also wish to add some seasoning or rub to your hot dogs, but this is entirely optional.
What Do Smoked Hot Dogs Taste Like?
how the taste/texture varies from other cooking methods
Without stating the obvious, smoked hot dogs taste kind of smokey! But this is not the bitter, horrible flavor you get with smokey burnt food; instead, the type and amount of smoke are carefully controlled to give a delicious, intense flavor.
Many people describe the flavor of barbeque smoked meats as sweet, which is due to the wood chips used to create the smoke.
A favorite among many chefs is to use wood chips from fruit trees, such as apple or cherry. This is where the sweetness comes from, along with the smokey flavor.
When hot dogs are smoked, they do not get as charred on the outside as they do when cooked directly on the grill. Instead, they turn a beautiful dark brown color, with a slight crispiness.
The inside of the hot dog will be juicy and moist, releasing an intense hit of smokey aroma as you bite into it.
The flavor of the smoke perfectly complements the salty, spicy flavor of the hot dog, taking these popular snacks to a whole new level.
If you’ve ever gone to the trouble of smoking a hot dog, you’ll never want to cook them any other way again!
Do Hot Dogs Need To Be Cooked Before They Are Smoked?
Hot dogs are almost always cooked before they are packaged for sale, so they do not need pre-cooking before you smoke them.
All we are really doing is reheating these sausages in the smoker, and adding an amazing smokey flavor at the same time!
Hot dogs might be cooked when we purchase them, but this doesn’t mean we can eat them straight from the packet! Food safety authorities advise that hot dogs are reheated thoroughly before consumption.
Can Any Type Of Hot Dog Be Smoked?
Not all hot dogs are the same, and not all varieties of hot dogs turn out the same when smoked! These popular sausage snacks vary widely in terms of texture and consistency, and some do not smoke well at all.
If you are going to the trouble of smoking hot dogs, look for a high-quality product with minimal artificial ingredients.
So, step away from those packs of cheap poor-quality hot dogs, as they will not improve no matter how much loving care you put into smoking them.
The world of sausages can be a bit overwhelming! You will see an array of hot dogs, wieners, frankfurters, and other sausages at the store.
The type you buy depends entirely on personal preference, but there are some factors to bear in mind.
Different sausages contain different types of meat, which will alter the flavor when they are smoked. Wieners and hot dogs are normally a combination of beef and pork, whereas frankfurters are usually pure pork.
Low-quality sausages are often bulked out with turkey or chicken and should be avoided if you are going to the trouble of smoking hot dogs.
These types often also come without casings and can split or fall apart on the grill. Look for hot dogs that are made in natural casings for the best results.
What Is A Smoker For Hot Dogs?
Barbeque smokers might look like a mysterious contraption, but in fact, they are a relatively simple piece of apparatus!
When food is smoked, it is cooked at a low temperature in a smoky environment. There are many different types of smokers, but they all work on the same basic principle.
One thing that all smokers have in common is a chamber that contains smoke and heat. This is where the food is placed, rather than directly on top of the heat source.
The main difference between types of smokers is how the heat is produced. Electric smokers have a heated chamber, to which wood is added to produce smoke.
A traditional smoker will burn wood for heat, and the smoke from this is diverted into a smoking chamber.
Purists would say that the best way to smoke hot dogs is on a traditional smoker, that uses wood to generate both heat and smoke.
However, there is nothing wrong with the other types of smokers, and many people use them with great results!
There are also two distinct styles of smokers: direct heat and offset.
An offset smoker has a firebox that is separate from the area where the food is cooked. Heat and smoke are diverted into a separate chamber, away from the main heat source.
A direct heat smoker is very much like a grill, but the food is raised to keep it away from the heat source. A cover keeps the heat and smoke enclosed.
To get the characteristic wood smoke flavor we are looking for, it will be necessary to burn wood chips or chunks.
These can be added to the burning heat source, or if using an electric smoker they are normally placed in a tray over the heat source.
The final element of a smoker is moisture. Steam will help the wood smoke to penetrate your meat, giving an intense smokey flavor.
This is generated by using a water pan, which sits either on the bottom of the smoker or above the wood chips (depending on whether you’re using a direct or offset smoker).
Above this sits the grill, which is where your food is placed. The whole setup is enclosed with a lid, and a chimney with a vent to control the flow of smoke.
What Is The Best Wood For Smoking Hot Dogs?
Fans of smoked food will all have their personal preference when it comes to the best wood to use, and many people swear by a blend of different woods.
The key is getting the balance between color and smokiness just right, without adding any harsh flavor tones.
Recommended woods for smoking hot dogs include oak, apple, and cherry. A good ratio to aim for is 50% oak, with the remainder either cherry, oak, or a mix of both.
Some popular woods for smoking, such as hickory, are simply too strong and harsh for hot dogs and should be avoided.
Once you’ve got your smoking technique perfected, you can start to play about with your mix of wood. Alternatives include maple, pecan, and alder.
Try to pair your seasonings and flavorings to complement the smokey flavor you are aiming for.
What Is The Best Seasoning To Use When Smoking Hot Dogs?
The key to getting that amazing flavor when smoking hot dogs is in the seasoning rub. This is a careful blend of dry spices, in which the sausages are rolled before they are put in the smoker.
These flavors then gently permeate the meat as it is smoked, mingling perfectly with the delicate smokey taste.
Spice rubs can be bought premixed from the store, or you can have fun playing about with different spices combinations at home.
When you hit on the perfect combination, your friends will all want to know how you created that amazing flavor!
Making your own spice rub for hot dogs is easy. Just pull out all your favorite seasonings, and mix them together!
Flavors that pair well with smoked hot dogs include dried garlic, chili powder, paprika, and onion powder. You may also want to include a small amount of sugar and salt in your seasoning mix.
Some stronger-flavored seasonings can also be used, but be careful to only add them in small amounts. A pinch of mustard powder, cayenne pepper, or dried thyme can all work really well with smoked hot dogs.
If you are looking for premixed seasoning for smoked hot dogs, a good place to start is with a steak rub or a pulled pork rub.
It is a good idea to roll your hot dogs in the spice mix as soon as you remove them from the packet before they have a chance to dry out. This will ensure that the spices stick to the casing, giving the maximum hit of flavor.
How To Use A Smoker For Hot Dogs
The process of smoking hot dogs is much easier than it sounds, as long as you follow these simple steps!
Firstly, prepare the smoker. Fire up the burner, and allow it to preheat for 15-20 minutes.
While you are waiting for this to happen, take the hot dogs from the fridge so they can start coming to room temperature. Put any seasonings or rub onto a plate, and roll the hot dogs in this until they are evenly covered.
You will need to add wood chips to your smoker before placing the meat inside, but when you do this depends on the type of smoker you are using.
You can add them while the smoker is preheating, or when you put the meat in the smoker. For best results, follow the manufacturers’ guidelines.
Next, fill the water pan ready to generate that essential steam in your smoker. You can add additional flavorings to the water which will infuse your meat, such as sliced onions or cloves of garlic.
Returning to the smoker, it is now time to put everything together.
First, add the wood chips, if you haven’t already done so. Then place the water tray in the smoker, and finally lay the hot dog sausages onto the grill rack.
Close the lid, adjust the temperature, and leave your hot dogs to smoke to perfection!
What Temperature Do You Smoke Hot Dogs At?
Getting the temperature exactly right is the key to producing the perfect smoked hot dog. Too hot, and they will cook through quickly before the smoke has a chance to take effect.
So, you need a nice low temperature, but it needs to be warm enough to ensure that the hot dogs are warm enough to serve.
Too cool, and you’re risking a nasty case of food poisoning for you and your guests, not how you want your summer party to be remembered!
To smoke hot dogs, aim to keep the smoker at a temperature of around 225°F. This will give you the perfect conditions to create succulent smoked hot dogs, packed full of flavor and moisture.
If you want to be completely sure that your hot dogs are heated through, invest in a meat thermometer. This is an invaluable tool in any kitchen and one we guarantee you’ll end up using several times a week.
Using your meat thermometer, check the internal temperature of your hot dogs. You are aiming for a temperature of 155°F or above.
How Long Does It Take To Smoke Hot Dogs?
Smoking hot dogs is not a job for someone in a rush. This process takes patience and lots of it! This isn’t a case of popping a hot dog onto a sizzling grill until it is seared and piping hot.
We are looking at a long, slow smoke here, to give that intensity of flavor that smoked hot dogs are famous for.
To do this, you will need to allow around 1 hour for your hot dogs to smoke. In some situations, such as when using a lower temperature or larger hot dogs, smoking may take up to 1 1/2 hours.
Plenty of time to have a cold drink and chat with your guests, while your hot dogs smoke to perfection!
The difference in time will depend on the heat and design of your smoker, the thickness of the hot dog, and the type of wood chips you are using.
A good rule of thumb is to start with smoking your hot dogs for 1 hour at 225°F. After this time, cut the end off one and give it a try—if it is sizzling hot, they are ready to eat!
Related Questions
Now that we’ve gone over how you can use a smoker to cook hot dogs, let’s take a look at a few related questions on the subject!
What are smoked hot dog burnt ends?
We’re all familiar with brisket burnt ends, and the rush to get the best caramelized, crispy pieces before they’re all gone! For a fun alternative, why not give smoked hot dog burnt ends a try?
We don’t all have hours to spare slow-smoking a brisket, and this fun twist on a family favorite takes only 90 minutes to make!
Good-quality hot dogs are smoked whole, then chopped into chunks, and baked in a bath of butter, sugar, and barbeque sauce.
You are aiming for a caramelized, crusty glaze on the hot dog pieces, which will be moist and delicious in the middle.
This finger food is a great way to make use of left-over hot dogs from a barbeque, although the chances of this happening are fairly slim!
What is the best way to serve smoked hot dogs?
Smoked hot dogs are the ultimate finger food, and should be served in a perfectly sized, light, airy hot dog roll. Cut the roll by making a slit along the top of the roll, and nestle the sizzling smoked hot dog neatly inside.
Some people like to lightly toast the roll beforehand, but this is down to personal preference.
Purists would say that adding condiments to smoked hot dogs ruins the delicate flavor of the wood smoke, but we say that anyone should be allowed to add whatever they want to their food!
You can ramp up the heat and smokiness with some barbeque sauce, mustard, or relish, or top your hot dog with something more subtle such as mayo, coleslaw, or cheese.
Don’t forget to add some gently caramelized onions too!
If you’re feeling like trying something new, some flavor combinations work well with smoked hot dogs.
Try pairing your sizzling sausage with avocado and salsa, or crisp lettuce and sweet cherry tomatoes. For a punchier flavor, add blue cheese and buffalo sauce to your hot dog roll.
Ever wanted to make your OWN hot dogs? Check out this great tutorial on how to do so from Joshua Weissman!
