DIY Hack: How To Use Your Oven As A Smoker

The hack: Make your own smoker.

How to do it: Cover a cast-iron skillet or baking pan with tinfoil and fill it halfway with wood chips. Light the wood chips and let the flames die down slightly until the pan is safe enough to handle. Carefully place the vessel into the oven on the lowest rack. Place whatever you want to infuse with a smoky flavor on the top rack and let it hang out for about 10 minutes.

Why it's worth it: People are always impressed by dishes that have been smoked in-house. Get the flavor without investing in an actual smoker.

Tip: This trick is perfect for the usual fish or meat suspects, but it can also add an extra depth of flavor to your next batch of beans, lentils or roasted vegetables.