Accompanying your meat dishes with a perfect baked potato will make you feel like you’re eating at a fancy steakhouse. Some people wonder if potatoes are suitable for the smoker and if they are worth the extra time and effort and the answer is simply, yes!
Potatoes are perfect for smoking. Seasoned with kosher salt, pepper, garlic, and smoked paprika and slow-cooked in the smoker they are a perfect side dish that you can easily make without having to leave your home. Smoked potatoes go deliciously with smoked pork, steak, or chicken.
Eating smoked potatoes in a restaurant is one thing but trying to make this side dish for your meats at home is quite another. You may be intimidated by the idea, but the reality is that with a little patience, it’s a simple way to cook potatoes. In this guide, we explain how long it takes to smoke some tasty potatoes at 225˚F.
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Why Smoked Potatoes?
We all know that there is no better combination than meat and potatoes and this method takes your baked potato recipes to the next level. Smoking potatoes is extremely easy with a smoker. If you maintain a temperature of 225˚F in your smoker, you will see just how easy it can be. You can use any type of flavored or fruit tree wood of your choice for smoking.
A smoked potato allows you to enjoy the soft, fluffy interior characteristic of a baked potato with a crispy, golden coating. Just season your potatoes with salt, pepper, and garlic and add that magical flavor to your plate.
Why Smoke Potatoes at 225˚F ?
Preparing potatoes at 225º may seem like an odd temperature and a little low. However, for many items, such as brisket or pulled pork 225º is a preferred temperature.
When breaking down connective tissue on a large hunk of meat low and slow is the only way to go. Cooking other items along with your preferred meat can make your cook much simpler and be convenient.
When you have a bit of practice smoking your large cuts of meat you can estimate when they will be done and ready to rest. Then the knowledge of how long potatoes take to smoke at 225º will prove invaluable.
How Long to Smoke Potatoes at 225˚F
An average-sized potato will take three hours to smoke at 225˚F. Small potatoes can be fork tender in just over two hours, split in half, and mixed with onions they make a great side dish.
Larger potatoes like russet bakers will take around 3-1/2 at 225˚F. However, 225˚F is not a good temperature for russets because the starch in the potatoes will not fully activate unless they are cooked above 250˚F.
We recommend sticking with medium-sized potatoes or increasing your temperature. A larger baked potato at 250˚F should take roughly three hours.
Finally, potatoes are very forgiving as long as you don’t undercook them. You can leave a potato in your smoker for an extra thirty minutes and the texture should still be great.
How to Smoke Potatoes at 225˚F in 6 Easy Steps
Step 1. Set your smoker to a temperature of 225˚F.
Step 2. Make a mixture of garlic powder, black pepper, smoked paprika, and salt to taste. Mix well so the spices are perfectly integrated.
Step 3. Scrub the potatoes in warm water, then dry them thoroughly.
Step 4. Brush the potatoes with a little olive oil, then dip them in the spice mixture until they are perfectly coated.
Step 5. Place the potatoes in the smoker at 225º F. Smoke for three hours for a medium-size potato or until they are tender on the inside and golden brown and crispy on the outside.
Step 6. Find the perfect toppings like butter, green onion, sour cream, or bacon bits to compliment your smoked potatoes or serve as is.
For easier cleaning of your smoker, we recommend wrapping the potatoes in foil and piercing the packet to allow that smoky flavor to flow into your potatoes.
What Do I Need to Smoke Potatoes?
Smoked potatoes are indeed a delicious accompaniment to your meat dishes. If this is the first time you are going to prepare your own smoked potatoes at home, you may be wondering what you need.
Here we have provided you with a simple guide where we show you everything you need to make perfectly smoked potatoes (as well as your smoked meats.)
Smoker
If you don’t have a smoker, you should consider investing in one. Remember that you will find different brands and types on the market so do a little research and find one that suits your needs. There are specialized stores where you can choose from several options, or you can buy one online.
We recommend you to be well informed about the features offered by each type and brand of smoker and perform a comparison to choose the best one for you. A smoker that is great for a large piece of beef and potatoes might not be the best smoker for jerky or fish.
When you buy your ideal smoker always remember to wear gloves and clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty when smoking your food.
Wood Chips
Some smokers require specific wood chips, and you can usually get them at the same place where you buy your smoker. Wood chips are available in a variety of flavors. The most common are cherry or applewood chips, which give sweet and nutty flavors to your food.
Maple is a very subtle wood that is perfect if you are not yet used to a smoky flavor in your foods. While mesquite, walnut, and oak woods add a stronger, more powerful flavor to smoked foods.
If you are new to the art of smoking, you can buy a package with several types of wood and try them all to determine the one you like the most.
Also, wood chunks are a great way to add smoky flavor to a charcoal smoker or grill. When adding chunks of wood to your charcoal smoker try to spread them out so they don’t touch. We have a saying “when in dought get the pecan out”, start with pecan and you will not be disappointed.
Thermometer
When cooking any type of meat on a grill or in a smoker, you should have a meat thermometer. Cooking barbecue or any meat without a thermometer is like walking blind.
Although many smokers have a thermometer included, you can’t rely on it completely. It is best to avoid a bad smoking experience and buy a good thermometer. The thermometer you choose will also help you monitor the temperature of other foods such as potatoes.
Don’t Be Afraid to Experiment
Now that you have a guide on how to smoke your potatoes and for how long, you just have to experiment with ingredients and flavors. There is a world of texture and flavor combinations you can test. Potatoes are such a versatile food that you can prepare them to accompany a delicious cut of meat, or even eat them stuffed as a main dish.
In addition to the ingredients used, you can also try different types of wood that will give a new twist to the flavor of your potatoes. The most important thing is that you find your favorite flavors and combinations to enjoy. If you are just starting out with smoking foods, you are about to discover a new world where you will experience new takes on the foods you have always eaten.
