Any Health Risks Associated with Hot-Smoking?

I don't have a clue, but there are a lot of people out there that think, "if it tastes good, it has to be bad for you."

I'm not one and if it happens, there are worse ways to die.

Nope, nothing proven.

Now, California (isn't it always California) has all wood labeled as dangerous if used in a smoker, but nothing specifically proven for low and slow cooking.

Now, start making good Q and the one danger is gaining weight, that does happen all the time.

I am in disagreement on the weight gain issue. But, it does screw up your wardrobe. I called the dryer guy out to the house as my shirts and pants were getting snug and he said the dryer was fine. So, the smoker is next on list to troubleshoot..it must be the culprit screwing up my clothes and shrinking them up...

In all seriousness, I would just do a Google search with some keywords. I think we may be too passionate to give you an unbiased answer. that said, I do not think it is that bad for you...

If all you're eating is smoked meats then ill affects of smoke are the least of your worries. But if you eat smoked meats in moderation and still eat plenty of fresh veggies and whole grains--and get some exercise now again--it's nothing to worry about.

I read some where that meat cooked over high heat is more of a problem with carcingens than smoking the meat. I also read that coving the meat with EVOO or other oil base will help prevent the carcingens when grilling. Now I know were talking about smoking low and slow, but if you think about it, people have been doing it that way for 100's to 1000 of years. Of course that doesn't mean its right. Personally, I can't eat smoked meat that often, I get tired of it, maybe once every 45 days.

dan

I agree with Dennis.

Now, if I would just get the exercise......

There are likely some theoretical risks to eating a diet high in smoked meats. However, I've never stumbled across anything that would suggest there is any real world danger.

If you find anything that suggests that eating smoked meats causes disease or premature death let me know.

Most of the references you might find about smoked meats are lumped into a bigger category of processed meats and there is evidence that increasing consumption of processed meats increases your chance of stomach cancer.......(which is not high on the list of things most likely to get you) Even there it is not clear what it actually is that causes this increased risk.

Drive safely and wear your seatbelt. Control your weight and blood pressure. Eat smoked meat!

Richard

Gail

An interesting question. I don't know if it carries over to "low and slow" smoked foods, but it is very well established that liquid smoke does contain carcinogens. I personally don't use LS cause I think it tastes bad compared to the real smoked food. I doubt anyone who uses LS uses a large enough quantity to worry about the carcinogens.

Thanks to all of you who responded to my question. I appreciate your input!

Im more worried about e-coli from vegetables lately than smoked foods. Heck my wife and I wont even go to restraunts. In my little city there have been like 5 restraunts that have poisoned over a thousand people in the last 3 months. When I cook at home I know nobody is going to get e-coli or other awesome bugs from the food that we prepare. Comerically prepared foods contain more poisons/additives than we probably realize.
Just my 2 cents here.

Mike

Unfortunately, Mike, most of the highly-publicized e-coli outbreaks in the past few months have been caused by commonly used vegetables, such as spinach, romaine lettuce, and scallions.

No matter how careful all of us are in our own homes, all it takes is one package of affected produce purchased in our local grocery to have the potential to poison us.

Scary, isn't it?

Gail

I wonder if all this e-coli is a plot against vegans?????????

Either way, I'm just glad to be an overweight beer drinkin' red meat eater!