Homemade smoked fish is quite a delicacy and you can do it on a regular charcoal BBQ grill. While I now own a charcoal smoker, I used to smoke fish on my charcoal BBQ grill (theoretically, you could probably do this on a gas grill too), here's how to do it:

What you will need:

• Cleaned or filleted fresh fish
• Charcoal grill
• Charcoal
• Wood for smoking (Mesquite, hickory, cherry, etc.)
• Soaker bowl
• Woodchip smoker box
• Water bowl (Pyrex can handle the heat)

What to do:

• Take wood chips and soak them in water for 20-30 minutes minimum
• Get your charcoal red hot
• Move the charcoal to the side or middle (Segregate them)
• Put the soaked wood chips in the box and place on the coals (Sometimes I skip the box and place them right on the coals)
• Soak more chips for later
• Place the grill surface down
• Put the bowl above the coals and box on the grill surface (You could skip this entirely, but the moisture is good for long smoking sessions)
• Place the fish on the on the grill, but not over the coals
• Let the indirect heat and smoke do the work (Could take 30 minutes for little fillets to three hours for whole fish or large steaked fish)
• Add coals, smoked wood chips, and water if needed
• Test the fish for flakiness until desired texture is achieved

The longer you smoke the fish, the more of a smoke ring will form on outside of the fish flesh. What you will get will blow you away . . . this is particulary good approach for rough, "trash/garbage" fish or panfish.

Granted, a dedicated smoker is an advantage, but it is still amazing what you can do without it. As for a dedicated smoker-- I got mine for about $35 dollars at one of the big box stores-- if you decide you like smoked food, it is worth buying one.

Thank you for visiting the Self Reliance Workshop and come back soon for more . . . follow me on Twitter at SelfRelianceWS, DvrcdDadFrglDad, and Surfcasting2Day.

Like this post? Check out the related posts for more information.  You can also get email notification of new posts in your email by subscribing.  Your email address won't be used for any other purpose than to send you notification of a new post.

Related Posts:
Cooking From Scratch: Marinade and Seasoning Ideas  
Cooking From Scratch: How to Make Your Own Homemade BBQ Sauce  
Cooking From Scratch: How to Make Your Own Homemade Cola BBQ Sauce  
Cooking From Scratch: How to Make Your Own Homemade BBQ Dry Rub 

_______________________________________

DDFD believes that self reliance and self sufficiency are the roads to individual freedom.  He is dedicated to living a quality life through frugality, personal growth and productivity, and defensive entrepreneurship.  He also enjoys cooking from scratch and fishing.