Smoking is an old, very American way of cooking, and a pretty delicious one at that.
Think pulled pork, as in North Carolina barbecue, or brisket, as in the stuff Texans boast about. If you're new to smoking or uncertain about making a lifetime commitment to it, you might want to start with a water smoker. Water smokers, costing about one hundred dollars, are either charcoal-fired or electric. With the charcoal type, look for one with an easily accessible fuel box, flues that allow you to adjust the heat, and a built-in thermometer. Now, if you want to make smoking a full-time sport, you're moving toward a wood smoker that eats wood chunks or logs.