So, you took the plunge and invested in a professional wood smoker - nice choice. Now, you're going to need more than just heat, wood, and meat for that thing. You'll need a good thermometer to check that your temperature is consistent, a pair of heatproof gloves for when it's time to take that brisket off the hot grill, shredders to turn that pork shoulder into pulled pork, and maybe a flavor injector to get just the right amount of tequila in your Tequila Lime Chicken. There are, in fact, dozens of different smoker accessories you should own, so which are the best for you? Tell you what: you invite us over for ribs and we'll tell you the best smoker accessories on the market. Well, alright, we'll tell you anyway, but man, do ribs sound good... Harbor 022 Meat Thermometer For Meat HeatFast, accurate, small, and durable, the Harbor 022 Meat Thermometer is the clear choice for gauging correct smoking temperatures.Best ThermometerFind on Amazon Perhaps the most important smoker accessory you’ll purchase is a meat thermometer. Ensuring that your meat has reached the perfect internal temperature can mean the difference between “medium rare” and “expensive dog food.” We like the Harbor 022 Meat Thermometer because it is quick and simple to use: turn it on, insert the probe, wait 5 seconds, get the temperature. The digital readout is accurate within 1.8 degrees Fahrenheit (1 degree Celsius), and with a 7-inch probe, you’re sure to get the correct reading from the center of your meat. Pros: Comes in 4 colors Max temperature: 572 degrees Fahrenheit Includes pocket-clip holder Cons: Cannot read smoker temperature Not backlit Bear Paws Shredder Claws Pulled Pork PullersWith their melt-proof construction and easy-grip handles, Bear Paws Shredder Claws make fast work of turning your smoked meats into individual servings.Best ShreddersFind on Amazon So, you’re staring down a 10-pound smoked pork shoulder, wondering how you’re going to shred this into pulled-pork sandwich meat? You could always take two forks from the utensil drawer and do it… it’ll only take an hour. Or, you can whip out your Bear Paws Shredder Claws and make easy work of it. Made from melt-proof, BPA-free nylon and featuring 6 sharpened claws on each handle, Bear Paws Shredder Claws shred through pork, brisket, and even chicken breast with ease. They’re dishwasher safe and easy on the hands as well. Pros: Made in the USA Heat resistant to 475 degrees Available in 4 colors Cons: Not for fine shredding or mincing Made for bigger hands Ofargo Marinade Injector Syringe A Flavor FavIt may look like an advanced medical instrument, but the Ofargo Marinade Injector Syringe is a chef's best friend when it comes to creating flavorful smoked meats.Best Flavor InjectorFind on Amazon A lot has changed since grandma used her clunky turkey baster back in the 1940s. Now, with the Ofargo Marinade Injector Syringe, you can inject marinades, butter, and herbs directly into all kinds of meat using the two enclosed syringes. This set includes an angled-cut needle for finely ground herbs and sauces and a small-hole needle for liquid puree. The needles screw on easily with an O-ring connector to prevent leaks, while the syringe is ergonomically-shaped to use with one hand. The needles even store inside the syringe so you don’t have tiny parts scattered throughout your drawer. Pros: Dishwasher safe Comes with User Manual and online eBook Includes a needle cleaner Cons: Thin plastic on the syringe Not for Cornish Game Hens Rapicca BBQ Gloves Glove At First SightRapicca BBQ Gloves protect your hands and arms from the high temperatures found inside meat smokers, making them indispensable smoker accessories.Best BBQ GlovesFind on Amazon It shouldn’t have to be said, but sticking your bare hands into a meat smoker to extract your brisket is a really bad idea. Instead, get a pair of Rapicca BBQ Gloves. Made with food-grade neoprene rubber and capable of withstanding up to a whopping 932 degrees, Rapicca BBQ Gloves are resistant to fire, grease, boiling water, and more. The texturized finger grips make it easy to carry food without dropping, while the double-layered soft cotton liner keeps them cool and comfortable. We especially like that they have a 14-inch sleeve length to protect your arms as well as your hands. Pros: Kevlar interior Available in 3 sizes Easy to clean Cons: Not for prolonged heat exposure Don’t expect great flexibility BBQr’s Delight Wood Smoking Chips Variety Pack Give Us WoodOne of the best parts of smoking meat is discovering your favorite flavor of wood. BBQr's Delight Wood Smoking Chips Variety Pack lets you experiment with a wide assortment of tastes.Best Wood Pellet SamplesFind on Amazon After a marinade or a rub, the biggest contributor to your meat’s flavor is the wood you use to smoke it. If you’re still experimenting to find the flavors that work on your favorite dishes, get the BBQr’s Delight Wood Smoking Chips Variety Pack. Each pack includes a 1-pound bag of apple, mesquite, hickory, pecan, cherry, and Jack Daniel’s-flavored wood chips. Since only about 1/3-cup is needed, you get 10 uses per bag. you can even mix them up and use them like seasonings. They’re also safer than other woods: since the pellets were created from sawdust in a process involving heat, any contaminants in the wood are destroyed. Pros: Works with any type of outside grill Made in the USA No need for soaking Cons: Long smoke times require more than 1/3-cup Runs out fast Frequently Asked Questions Do Bluetooth thermometers tell the temperature of your meat or the temperature of your smoker? The best Bluetooth meat thermometers do both. Typically, they’ll have a probe for the meat (or sometimes two) and one for the temperature inside the smoker. Having both is really important: if the temperature goes down in your smoker, you’ll want to know immediately and adjust accordingly. If you’re cooking your meat solely based on time in the smoker, temperature fluctuations will affect the timing, so it’s better to have a temperature probe in the meat itself. I love using my smoker, but I smell like smoked meat for a day afterward. How do I get rid of this? Wood smoke is a powerful scent. Typically, just washing your clothes will get rid of it, but here are a few tips for when you get really smoked out. First, use hot water. Hot water is more effective at washing out smells. Secondly, add a cup of white vinegar to your wash cycle after you’ve added the detergent. If that doesn’t work, try half a cup of baking soda in the water as well. Is the smoke from my wood smoker harmful? The EPA advises that you limit your intake of smoke as much as possible. The health risk from smoke is from the particulate matter in the fine particles, also known as PM2.5. These microscopic particles can get into your respiratory system and your eyes, and subsequently trigger asthma symptoms or even asthma attacks. Fine particles can also cause strokes, trigger heart attacks, heart failure, or irregular heart rhythms, especially in people with pre-existing conditions. Thus, make sure your smoker is in a well-ventilated area and avoid breathing in the smoke.