Once the temperature outside starts to drop, it doesn’t take us long to start waxing nostalgic about the warmer days of grilling and outdoor smoking. But do we have to wait until next spring to infuse our food with good smoky flavor? Could an indoor smoker do just as good a job?
Gadget name: Camerons Stovetop Smoker
Price: $54.95
It looks like: A metal vessel fitted with a wire rack set over a trip tray and covered with a lid.
How we tested it: We used it to cook salmon fillets and whole chickens, then evaluated the smoker on the quality of the foods’ smoky flavor and how easy it was to use and clean.
How it actually works: The smoker performed admirably in cooking tests, producing moist, smoky salmon and chicken.
Drawbacks: Size, though a manageable obstacle, is the only category where this smoker comes up short. It fits just four fish fillets, and its flat lid prevents it from housing a whole bird (though we found that crimping aluminum foil over the chicken per the manufacturer’s instructions worked just fine).
Good to know: This gadget uses special fine wood chips, which are sold separately and don’t require soaking.
My favorite part: The smoker’s handles stayed cool on the stovetop and easily folded onto the sides of the smoker to fit in the oven or for storage. And the rack and large drip tray were easy to clean.
Overall: This smoker delivers results just as flavorful and moist as an outdoor model does, and it stores easily in your kitchen.
About the Author: Lisa McManus
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