7 Important Nutrients in Smoked Lamb Meat

Out of all the choices at the local butcher shop, you might not immediately consider lamb meat for your smoker. But the truth is, smoked lamb is delicious and easy to make! Furthermore, lamb meat is a delicious protein option that is highly versatile in terms of flavor, preparation, cuts, aging, and more. It offers a rich, earthy flavor profile, making it a terrific choice for any dinner occasion, casual or formal.

But wait; it gets better!

Lamb meat is actually very good for you, and a healthier alternative to beef. It is loaded with essential vitamins and nutrients, which all work toward improving and protecting our personal health. Some of the most important nutrients in lamb meat include protein, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B-6, Vitamin B12, Calcium, Phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, iron, and Selenium. Continue reading to learn more about each.

Smoked Meat Dinners in Carmel 317-688-7290

Smoked Meat Dinners in Carmel 317-688-7290

Protein

Lamb meat is meat, after all, so it is no surprise that is a protein. However, compared to other kinds of meat, lamb has a substantially higher amount of protein per serving. It is loaded with protein, ranging from 12 to 17 grams per serving. Protein is important because it gives us strength and energy, builds muscle mass, improves digestion, and more.

Vitamin B1

Vitamin B1 helps lamb meat and people both. Not only does it assist the oxidation process in lamb meat, it helps increase energy levels, support endurance, and much more. Although it occurs in relatively small amounts, it is still a positive contribution to your health.

Riboflavin

Also known as Vitamin B2, lamb meat provides an adequate amount. Vitamin B2, or riboflavin, encourages physical endurance, promotes stronger immunity, supports nerve health, and maintains healthy eyes and eyesight. It can even help manage chapped lips and canker sores.

Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 is important for a number of reasons. Also known as cobalamin, Vitamin B12 encourages nerve health, supports physical health, increases endurance, and boosts the immune system. Furthermore, it assists in red blood cell formation, which successively, also helps to prevent anemia. One serving can contain up to 36% of your daily value.

Calcium and Phosphorous

Lamb meat also contains a high amount of calcium. There are several benefits of calcium, and our bodies require it for bone health and more. Since calcium works well to strengthen our bones, it also promotes healthy teeth and nails. Phosphorous is very good for your body. Just like calcium, the phosphorous in lamb meat also promotes healthy bones, and can even help prevent bone abnormalities and conditions, like osteoporosis.

Potassium

Potassium is an essential element to our health. It is an electrolyte that counteracts the effects of sodium. Not only does this contribute to maintaining consistent and healthy blood pressure, it also helps control the balance between acids and bases within the body. On average, there is 264 mg of potassium in one standard serving of lamb meat.

Smoked Lamb Recipe Tips

Smoked lamb is a delicious dish to try in your smoker grill. Pair your legs, racks, or chops with a fruit wood, such as apple, maple, oak, pecan, alder, cherry, or hickory, for excellent flavor profiles. Cook it according to its size and cut. Then once the internal temperature reaches 130 degrees Fahrenheit, you have yourself a perfectly prepared smoked lamb leg! In fact, why don’t you Try This Easy Smoked Leg of Lamb Recipe for a great result!

Now You’re Craving Delicious Smoked Meats?

Rackz BBQ Carmel, IN 317-688-7290

Rackz BBQ
317-688-7290

Rackz BBQ offers a wide selection of delicious smoked meats and southern comfort foods that are sure to please the entire family. If you don’t have time to sit down at our Carmel BBQ restaurant, place a takeout order for a hot and fresh meal on the go! Contact us at 317-688-7290 to place a call ahead order, or to learn more about our menu selections, prices, and specials.

How to Clean a Barbecue Smoker

If you really love to barbecue and smoke meat, it is safe to say that your most valuable tool is your smoker. Smokers are designed to last, making them appear resilient and steadfast; but without proper cleaning and care, your smoker will not continue to perform as it should. More importantly, a dirty smoker can pose health and safety risks. Because smokers seem so durable and resistant to damage, it can be easy to forgo a cleaning use after use. Nonetheless, the chore is important and imminent.

If you have never cleaned your barbecue smoker, or have only cleaned it once or twice since purchasing it years ago, it is highly likely that it is in need of a good cleansing. In fact, it is recommended to clean the insides of smokers every 6 to 12 months, and the outsides every other time it is used. Continue reading for some more important tips like these, including a quick guide to cleaning your smoker.

For Great Smoked Meats and BBQ, Call 317-688-7290!

For Great Smoked Meats and BBQ, Call
317-688-7290!

Rust and Grease

The biggest and most imminent threat to your smoker is rust. Although smokers are built with a protective coating, it does not last forever; eventually, rust will get through. Rust will deteriorate and corrode the inner and outer components of a smoker, which weakens its structural integrity overtime. At this rate, you can expect to replace your smoker before you should have to. A great way to protect your smoker from premature rust formation is to oil it after every use. Use a store-bought cooking spray, like Pam®, to lightly spray the surface when it cools to around 150 degrees Fahrenheit. You can also apply cooking spray to partly rusted surfaces.

Special Note: As an iron oxide, rust forms when iron, oxygen, and water (air moisture) combine. When these elements come into contact with one another, the iron loses electrons to oxygen atoms; a process called oxidation. Oxidation produces a chemical reaction that forms Fe203, or rust.

Aside from rust, grease is another major threat to both the structural and performance integrity of your smoker, as well as the health of those consuming the barbecued meats cooked in the smoker. Leftover food deposits, grease, and sludge can all accumulate at the bottom and on the cooking rates; Eventually, the sludge can begin to grow mold. Fortunately, a dirty, moldy, smoker can be cleaned with a few common supplies and a little labor.

How to Clean Smokers

What You Will Need:

Old Clothes (or protective apron)
Long Rubber Gloves
Small Shovel
Paper Towels
Scrubbing Brush
Large Bucket Lined With a Garbage Bag

Getting Started:

Cleaning a smoker is a dirty job, so be sure to don all of your protective gear and clothing. This includes old work clothes, long rubber gloves, and large aprons. Once you have all of your gear and supplies ready to go, you can get right to work!

First, remove the cooking grates from inside your smoker. Now you are ready to clean out the sludge and grease. Be very careful to not scrape the metal surface with your shovel. You do not need to scrape the sides. Only scrape from the bottom.

Use your small garden shovel to gently scrape the sludge out from the BOTTOM of the smoker, but do not remove all of the sludge. Leave behind a thin layer to keep the surface slightly oiled to prevent rust. Once you removed as much grease as needed, use paper towels to wipe out the pit. You will get dirty during this part, so be sure you are not wearing anything you care about salvaging, including jewelry.

Now it is time to clean the grates. Do not use soap. Soap is too harsh and will remove too much grease; grease that is needed to keep your grates from rusting. Instead of soap, heat your smoker up and then allow it to cool down. This makes it easier to remove the grease.

Once they are cooled enough to safely handle, wipe them clean with paper towel. For extra dirty grates, use a clean scrubbing brush to gently removed caked-on food debris and sludge. After the grates are wiped clean, give them a light coating of cooking spray to keep them nicely oiled.

Be sure to clean the ash out of the firebox to prevent rust formation. When ash mixes with water or moisture, it can create the reaction that causes rust to form. Ash absorb water overtime, so regularly cleaning it out of the firebox is highly beneficial.

After the inside is finished, it is time to clean the outside surface. Use damp paper towels to wipe the surface of your smoker. Repeat this step as many times as it takes until the paper towels are no longer brown after wiping. Once you are finished, you may choose to spot paint your smoker to make it look like new. Just be sure to use a heat-resistant paint.

Enjoy Smoked Barbecue Meals and More!

Rackz BBQ Carmel, IN 317-688-7290

Rackz BBQ
317-688-7290

Rackz BBQ is eager to impress you with our delicious smoked barbecue meals and barbecue cuisines. As a Carmel BBQ restaurant dedicated to quality and value, you can trust us for exceptional customer service, neighborhood prices, and most importantly, authentic barbecue fare that you will love. Contact us at 317-688-7290 to place a call ahead order, or to learn more about our menu selections, prices, and specials.