How to Use a Smoking Gun Cloche for Impressive Dinner Party Dishes
By Breville | Published: 2026-10-24
Category: How-to Guides
Learn how to use a smoking gun cloche to add dramatic smoky flavor to dinner party dishes, from meats to desserts, with simple steps and pro tips.
Quick Answer
To use a smoking gun cloche, place your dish inside the glass dome, insert the smoking gun's hose through the valve, fill the chamber with smoke, and let it rest for a few minutes to infuse flavor before lifting the cloche at the table.
Why Use a Cloche for Smoking?
A glass cloche isn't just a pretty dome—it creates a contained environment that traps smoke around your food, ensuring even flavor infusion without drying it out. Unlike open-smoking methods, the cloche allows you to smoke delicate items like cheese or desserts without overwhelming them.
The visual drama of lifting the cloche at the table releases a puff of aromatic smoke, turning a simple dish into a memorable presentation. It's a conversation starter that makes your dinner party feel special.
Choosing the Right Fuel and Wood Chips
The type of wood chips you use dramatically affects the flavor. Apple and cherry woods are mild and slightly sweet, ideal for poultry, pork, and even vegetables. Hickory and mesquite are stronger and better suited for beef or bold dishes. For desserts, consider using tea leaves or herbs like rosemary for a unique twist.
Always use fine, dry wood chips specifically designed for smoking guns. Wet or coarse chips can clog the gun or produce inconsistent smoke.
Step-by-Step: Smoking with a Cloche
- Prepare Your Dish: Place your food on a serving plate or board that fits under the cloche. Ensure the dish is at the desired serving temperature—smoking is cold-smoking, so it won't cook the food. Check that the cloche fits over the dish with room for the smoke to circulate.
- Set Up the Smoking Gun: Fill the smoking gun's chamber with wood chips, attach the hose, and position the hose under the cloche through the valve. Make sure the cloche sits flat on the board to prevent smoke from escaping. Common mistake: forgetting to seal the base—use a slightly damp towel around the edge if needed.
- Ignite and Pump Smoke: Turn on the smoking gun, let it produce smoke for about 30-60 seconds until the cloche is filled with a visible cloud. Then turn off the gun and leave the hose in place or remove it quickly, covering the valve hole. Don't overfill—too much smoke can make the dish bitter.
- Let It Infuse: Allow the smoke to infuse for 2-5 minutes, depending on the intensity you want. Delicate items like cheese or desserts need less time; meats can handle a few extra minutes. Check the color of the food—if it looks heavily tinted, it's probably too much.
- Present and Serve: Carry the cloche to the table, and with a dramatic flourish, lift it straight up to release the smoke. Serve immediately to enjoy the full aroma and flavor. Common mistake: lifting at an angle—it lets smoke escape sideways and reduces the effect.
Product Fact
- the Smoking Gun® Pro Glass Cloche: The Smoking Gun® Pro Glass Cloche is made of borosilicate glass handcrafted in Spain and features a BPA-free silicone one-way valve. Borosilicate glass is durable and temperature-resistant, and the one-way valve lets you pump smoke in without it escaping, making infusion efficient and mess-free.
the Smoking Gun® Pro Glass Cloche
