Smoking

• All models have a water pan that should be filled with warm water before smoking. If using a charcoal model, the charcoal should be sprinkled with lighter fluid and allowed to burn until it is covered in gray ash. Electric models should be set to "high" for smoking. The distinctive smoky aroma and flavor comes from wood chips or chunks, which should be placed on top of the charcoal or around the electric coils. Dry wood will burn instead of smoking, so green or wet wood is best. The food is placed on a cooking grid above the heat and smoke source. Smoking takes longer than many other forms of cooking, so you should allow sufficient time and always check meat with a meat thermometer to ensure it is fully cooked.
  
  

Barbecuing

• You can use a charcoal smoker to barbecue food by placing the charcoal pan on the lower cooking grid, which is higher than the charcoal pan bracket. Light the charcoal as you would for smoking and place the food on the higher cooking grid. Do not fill the water pan with water. Wood can still be placed on top of the charcoal for a combination of faster barbecue cooking and smoky flavor.
  
  

Roasting

• To roast food in a charcoal model, the charcoal should be lit as normal. For an electric model, the temperature should be set to "High." Do not fill the water pan and do not add any wood. This may be more suitable for larger food items such as whole chickens, as roasting food without water is much quicker than smoking it.