Cold Smoking with a Smoking Gun

A smoking gun is a handheld device that burns small amounts of wood chips and pumps the resulting smoke through a tube into a sealed container. Unlike hot smoking, which also cooks the food, cold smoking with a smoking gun adds deep smoky flavor without adding any heat, making it perfect for delicate ingredients like ceviche, butter, cheese, cocktails, or already-cooked proteins. To use one at home, place your ingredient in a bowl, cover it with plastic wrap with a small gap, insert the tube, and fill the space with smoke. Seal it and let the smoke infuse for one to three minutes before serving. Different wood chips, such as walnut, applewood, or cherry, each create distinct flavor profiles.