Instructions

1. Choose wood chips based on the flavor you want for your hamburgers. Common wood flavors for smoking meat include hickory, mesquite, oak and applewood. Soak your wood chips in a bowl with water for about 30 minutes.

2. Make your hamburger patties by seasoning ground beef with salt, pepper and any other seasonings you prefer and form the beef into equal-sized patties with your hands. Avoid overmixing the ground beef or it will turn out tough when you cook it.

3. Pour water into the water pan in your smoker to the line indicated. Add charcoal to the smoker and light it, bringing it to about 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Use the smoker vents to adjust the temperature. Once the coals have started to ashen, add the soaked wood chips on top.

4. Place the hamburger patties on an aluminum pan, and place in the smoker. Close the lid, and let the burgers cook for 15 to 30 minutes, until they have reached an internal temperature of 160 F for safe consumption. Use a meat thermometer to check the temperature, and remove from the smoker as soon as they are done.