WHAT IS THE UPPER SMOKING CABINET AND WHAT DOES IT DO?
The upper smoking cabinet allows users of The Lockhartmore space, control, and cooking optionsthan ever before. Users can cold smoke, hot smoke, and even bake in the upper cabinet. The Platinum Series Lockhart also comes with meat hooks, allowing users to hang meat while it smokes. Smoke and heat are more evenly distributed over the larger surfaces of the meat. It also aids in removal of moisture from the meat surface, in the long run, reducing cooking time.
WHAT CAN I COOK IN THE UPPER SMOKING CABINET?
You can essentially cook the same foods that you can in our Vertical Pellet Smokers with the added option to cold smoke.
WHAT IS COLD SMOKING?
Cold smokingis the process of smoking food at temperatures between 68 - 86°F. It does not cook the food, it just infuses the smoke flavor into it. For example, if you are smoking meat, you will have to cure it. It is a fairly simple process to make gourmet smoked cheese in your own backyard. Top your burgers with cold smoked cheese and add a whole new level of flavor into your cheeseburgers.
HOW TO COLD SMOKE ON THE LOCKHART?
Simply set your grill to SMOKE mode and open the air vents to the upper cabinet. This will allow enough smoke to pass thru to the cabinet for cold smoking.
When cold smoking, be sure outside temperatures are below 90°F. High ambient temps can affect cold smoking success and potentially melt cheese.
HOW DO HEAT AND SMOKE REACH THE UPPER CABINET?
One thing to keep in mind is that the upper cabinet does not have a direct heat source. By opening the air vents from the lower grill to the upper cabinet, heat and smoke from the burn pot can pass thru. Control the amount of smoke with the top dampers (never leave them fully closed, however.)
THE BEST WAY TO HEAT THE UPPER CABINET:
- Open the lower grill lid and set the temperature control board to Smoke. This will begin the startup process for the Lockhart. Let it run for 10 to 15 minutes and then close the lid.
- Using the levers, open both vents for the upper cabinet. Make sure both top dampers are fully open too so the heat can rise and circulate.
- Set the grill temperature to its HI setting. This will allow the heat to rise into the cabinet.
- If you want to hot smoke, once the upper cabinet has reached your desired temp, lower the temp setting to 275°F or lower. This will produce your desired smoke and enough heat to keep your upper cabinet at its desired temperature.
5 TIPS FOR USING THE LOCKHART UPPER SMOKE CABINET
Use these 5 tips to get the most out of your Platinum Series Lockhart:
1. HANG YOUR MEAT
As mentioned previously, use the hanging hooks to hang your meat while you smoke. This feature is perfect forsausages, but also works well for lamb shanks and pork picnic roasts.
2. COLD SMOKE CHEESE
Cold smoke cheese for anything from pizza to cheeseburgers. Cold smoking cheese can infuse a surprising amount of smoke flavor into everyday dishes. Just be sure to let the cheese rest for a few days so the smoke and oils have a chance to settle.
3. MAKE JERKY
Make delicious jerky. The low temperature range of the cabinet makes it the perfect unit for any type of jerky.
4. KEEP YOUR FOOD WARM
Use it as a warming rack. Is your brisket done, but you need to cook some other foods on the grill? Wrap it up and put it in the cabinet with one of both vents closed. No need for a cooler.
5. BAKE DESSERT
Fromdelicate pieslike lemon meringue to chewy, moist cookies, you can impart some delicious smoky flavors into your favorite desserts. All while you are roasting or grilling dinner on the main grill.
SEE WHY THE PLATINUM SERIES IS: THE NEXT CHAPTER IN BBQ
Head on down to your local Walmart Supercenter and see for yourself the new Platinum Series grills on display, including The Platinum Series Lockhart. With all of the innovative new features you’ll see why the Pit Boss Platinum Series is, The Next Chapter in BBQ.
FAQs
If you're looking for the biggest cooking area, Pit Boss is the way to go; if you need something in the middle range, one of Traeger's pellet grills is more likely to meet your exact needs. But because we can't account for your desired amount of cooking space, Pit Boss gets the nod on maximum area.
What is the difference between Pit Boss and Blackstone griddles? ›
Blackstone's surface is rolled steel, so you must season it up. It's a simple process of smearing a light coat of flaxseed oil across the warm surface and letting it burn off 5 or 6 times. The Pit Boss grill wins because it has a non-stick and pre-coated armored ceramic cooking surface.
Is there a griddle and smoker combo? ›
The Gather Grills Solution: Your Ideal Fire Pit Griddle Grill Combo. Gather Grills has combined all the best parts of outdoor cook tables into a single epic charcoal cooking device. It is a grill and skillet, smoker and fire pit, plus a cook table where your guests can actually sit.
Can you use a Pit Boss pellet grill as a smoker? ›
To do this, you would simply set up your grill as recommended in the “Pellet Grill Setup” portion, leave it on the “smoke” setting, and track the progress using a remote thermometer or a meat probe. In addition to smoking and “low and slow” BBQ, a Pit Boss Pellet Grill can get hot enough for you to grill and sear.
Is Pit Boss owned by Traeger? ›
In 2018, Joe and Brian Traeger were hired by Danson's, which owned several grill companies, including Louisiana Grills and Pit Boss Grills.
Why do people like Blackstone griddles? ›
Unlike other griddles, the Blackstone griddle features a cold rolled steel cooking surface. Easier to maintain and clean than cast iron, the Blackstone cold rolled steel griddle surface remains durable even after years of use. It's also part of the value Blackstone griddles offer.
Why are griddles better than grills? ›
Griddles provide more even cooking across a larger surface area. This makes them preferable for cooking large batches of foods like eggs, pancakes, and sandwiches. However, grills give food a nice char and smoky flavor. Grills are better for meats that benefit from searing, like steaks and burgers.
Should griddle smoke when seasoning? ›
Turn the heat back on to high and let the griddle heat up until it starts smoking. This is when the fatty acids oxidize at the smoke point of the oil, and it means the oil has bonded to the griddle top. You'll want to repeat this 2-3 times or until you have a nice, even, dark surface across your griddle top.
Can you leave pellets in a Pit Boss smoker? ›
Do: Empty your hopper after using your grill. Leaving unused pellets in your hopper can cause them to rot since they will be exposed to the elements of your outdoor environment. Most Pit Boss Grills have a hopper clean-out feature which allows for easy cleaning and swapping pellet flavors.
What is the difference between a pellet grill and a pellet smoker? ›
Both are defined by the variety of fuel used. But pellet grills are more versatile because they can be used as both grills and smokers. Pellet smokers are only smokers, but they have a higher edge when it comes to performance.
Pit Boss finishes their smokers with a durable and rust-proof powder-coat finish. Even the grates are porcelain-coated steel. When it comes to the quality, durability, and efficiency of materials, Pit Boss takes the cake.
Why are Traeger pellet grills so expensive? ›
WHY ARE TRAEGER PELLET GRILLS SO EXPENSIVE? All Traeger's feature patented craftsmanship, premium materials, and industry-leading technology. All of our grills go through a vigorous testing process by our team of engineers.
Is it okay to use Pit Boss pellets in a Traeger? ›
Both Traeger and Pit Boss pellets are generally of high quality and made from 100% natural hardwood, which makes them compatible for use in Traeger grills. Benefits:Flavor Variety: Using Pit Boss pellets in your Traeger grill can provide a wider range of flavors to experiment with.
Are pellet or charcoal smokers better? ›
Because of their automation and versatility, pellet smokers are very easy to use. They serve a broad spectrum of customers, particularly those who value convenience. Charcoal smokers, on the other hand, provide consumers with more control over the smoking process and provide a more real, hands-on experience.
