Are you looking to infuse mouthwatering tastes in your barbecue?
You do not need to have a smoker to create an irresistible aroma in your cuisine. Wood chips are an inexpensive and straightforward way of adding smoky flavors to your foods.
But smoking foods is an art and an individual needs to master some skills and put them into practice for better results. No doubt, the initial stages of learning to smoke might not reach the desired perfection.
The article explains different types of smoking chips and how to use wood chips for smoking on a gas or charcoal grill. Take the time to read through for more insights.
Can You Use Any Wood Chips for Smoking?
Smoke is an incredible component for barbecuing apart from heat and time. It is crucial for adding flavors to the steak and making your culinary skills get more praise.
But you do not need any wood chips in the grill. A good smoke should have low resin and provide an irresistible aroma.
You need to experiment with several types of hardwood chips and find out which one works best for you. The tastes and preferences of people are quite different.
Applewood chips provide mellow flavors, but it is not suitable for those people looking to cook for some time. Mesquite wood chips add smoky flavors that become bitter after a short period.
Understanding the flavor of each wood is quite crucial. It is going to determine the flavor of your cuisine in the long run. We recommend getting wood chips from your favorite fruits.
It would be best to look at some of the daunting questions regarding smoking before learning how to use wood chips for smoking on a charcoal or gas grill.
How Long Should I Soak Wood Chips for a Smoker?
Soaking wood chips is a debatable thing among many barbecue gurus. Some smoking veterans feel it is okay, while others argue that it depends on personal preferences.
The smoking process does not involve burning up the wood. But it allows smoldering and production of smoke essence that permeates the cuisine without leaving a strong burnt taste.
So, how long should I soak wood chips for a smoker? It is quite difficult to estimate the exact period since it depends on the smoker’s temperature and personal tastes.
Keep in mind that soaking the wood chips for long will drip water in the charcoal and make them wet. Ignition of dripping water coal is quite challenging and daunting.
We recommend experimenting with either soaked or dry wood chips on your grill. It would be best to consider the option that works best for you and your family or friends.
How Often Should I Change Wood Chips in a Smoker?
The good news is that there is no rule on how often to change wood chips in a smoker. But the golden rule is to change the smoking chips after every four to six hours.
Keep in mind that the quality of smoke production and the number of wood chips will also determine how often you can make some changes in a smoker.
We recommend monitoring the progress of your barbecue smoking after every one hour. The emission of thin smoke is an indicator to add more wood chips to the smoker.
Meanwhile, the hardwood used to generate the wood chips are quite different. Some hardwoods tend to burn out faster than others. Consider hardwood chips that burn slowly for cost-effectiveness.
How to Use Wood Chips for Smoking on a Charcoal Grill
Using wood chips on a charcoal grill is quite easier and faster. Here are some of the steps to consider when smoking on a charcoal grill with wood chips:
- Select wood chips with smoke flavors of your choice (mellow, mesquite, cherry, or hickory)
- Soak the wood chips for about 30-40 minutes
- Grab a bag of your favorite briquettes and put it in the chimney
- Light the chimney and add soaked wood chips rolled in a poked aluminum foil
- The holes on the aluminum foil allow smoke to escape and let oxygen in to enhance combustion
- Pour the burning coal on the charcoal grill and start cooking. If you are looking for fast cooking, then place the food directly with wood chips. Otherwise, the slow cooking process involves placing the charcoal on one side and a pouch of wood chips on top of it.
- Put the cooking grate over the fire and followed by the steak
- Cover the grill and open the lid gap. The aim is to avoid damping the grill since it will increase the chances of making the charcoal wet.
How to Use Wood Chips for Smoking on a Gas or Electric Smoker
Most gas grills have a dedicated smoker box with its burner. The design of the electric smoker makes it easier and straightforward to smoke your food.
Here are some steps to consider:
- Buy wood chips that compliment your favorite tastes.
- Damp one or two handfuls of wood chips and put in a pouch
- Place the wood chips pouch in the smoker box. You can purchase a heavy gauge stainless steel smoker box if your gas grill is not equipped.
- Light the fire and place the smoker box on the gas or electric grill
- Give the wood chips sometimes to start producing smoke.
- Put the meat on the grill and cover it.
- You can either opt for direct or indirect cooking methodology.
- Try to lift the grill as little as possible to prevent damping.
Final Thoughts from Smoking Gurus
Smoking meat is both exciting and daunting. The smokers have to make crucial decisions regarding the flavors and whether to use soak or dry wood chips.
The good news is that there are plenty of wood flavors to consider. It would be best to choose those wood flavors that compliment your favorite tastes.
Experiments and regular practice is the only way to become a successful smoker. Remember to keep track of every cooking methodology to avoid the occurrence of similar mistakes.
We hope this in-depth article about wood chips and smoking was helpful. Let us know if we missed mentioning something crucial in the comment section.
