Can You Use Wood Chips In A Smoker Tube
So, can you use wood chips in a smoker tube? Yes you can!
But there are some drawbacks.
Using some wood chips, it only took 90 minutes to cook.
The excess smoke from a pellet grill be increasingly problematic,..
…then you’ll be forced to keep a close eye on it.
As a result, you’d had to constantly watch it to ensure it didn’t catch fire.
This is the problem that Lydia faced.
My husband has been into smoking meat for some time now.
He’ll invite his friends over almost every week, to smoke whatever meat he has.
I’m okay with it, actually. I have fun with their wives too,..
…having a ladies’ weekend out while they’re partying at home.
However, it wasn’t the same fun for our neighbours.
Some complaints started to come to me.
They’re worried because the smoke is super big, and they’re afraid it’ll start a fire.
I’m considering gifting my husband a smoker tube, but he’s dead set on using wood chips.
Can we use wood chips in a smoker tube?
Yes, you absolutely can!
So, using wood chips in a smoker tube is an alternative way for you to try.
In this blog, we also have an article about best smoke tube that you might want to read about it.
A simple smoke tube and any grill will do. For twenty dollars you can transform you food.”
smokingmeatgeeks.com
What is a smoker tube
A smoke tube or smoker tube is a metal container…
…where the smoking pellets are kept.
In other words, you can say, it’s a smoke generator.
Once you put your pellets into the tube and light it, it will…
…produce a decent flame to burn whatever you want it to burn.
A smoke tube is perfect to be used in any smoker or grill.
And it is also appropriate for cold and hot smoking.
So, let me take this opportunity to tell you more about smoking tubes.
The Wood Chips
Wood chips, on the other hand, are simply pieces of hardwood…
…that have been run through a wood chipper.
Unlike pellets, they are not uniform in shape or size…
…and are rough and jagged around the edges.
Wood chips are typically wrapped in a foil packet before…
…being added to the grill, which is then punctured with…
…holes to allow the smoke to escape.
Wood chips do not produce the same consistent, continuous smoke as pellets.
Instead, they quickly ignite and burn, emitting small,..
…intense bursts of smoky flavor.
Some home chefs soak the chips in water to prevent them…
…from catching fire too quickly, but this practice provides very little benefit.
When using chips, you can also select from a variety of wood types.
However, the intensity of this cooking style makes it easy to overpower the meat.
If you’re going to be cooking for an extended period of time,…
…stick with milder wood flavors.
If you want to add more flavor, add a packet of hickory…
…or mesquite near the end of the cooking time.
It is critical to allow wood chips to smoulder gently rather than…
….bursting into flames.
If they burn too quickly and too hot, they will impart a bitter…
…flavor rather than the desired mellow smoky flavor.
How do you know if you need a smoke tube?
When you start smoking, it’s always best to have some kind of device…
…that will help you achieve the ultimate flavor from smoked food.
The smoke tube is one such device that serves the purpose well.
It helps you get an even heat with a steady supply of smoke.
Also, it gives you easy access to the meat so that you can…
…add seasonings and spices without having to go inside the cooker.
All these features make it a must-have piece of equipment for every home cook.
A pellet tube smoker can help you do just that and get the full use out of your smoker or grill.”
Timothy Dale, author from bobvila.com
How Does a Smoker Tube Work?
To begin producing smoke, fill the smoker tube with…
…your preferred pellets and light them.
You can use the same pellets as in the pellet hopper or mix them together.
The combination of apple and cherry is always a winner.
When you have a nice flame with a clean burn,..
…blow it out and the pellets will begin to smolder, producing a lot of smoke.
They keep smoking until all of the pellets have run their course,..
…which takes about 5 to 6 hours in a 12″ smoke tube.
This will fill your cooking chamber with a steady stream of..
…clean smoke, infusing your food with more flavor than the grill alone.
When to Use It
You can use a smoke tube to add smoky flavor to your food at any time.
Though it’s ideal for low-and-slow BBQ on a pellet grill,…
…it’s also ideal for shorter cooks and even cold smoking.
If you’re grilling hot and fast steaks to medium rare but want…
…some woody flavor, add a smoke tube to your grill and…
…let it smoke while the steaks cook.
If you want to cold smoke cheese but don’t want it to melt,..
…use a smoke tube to generate smoke while keeping the temperature low.
If you don’t have a designated smoker or want to add more…
….smoke flavor to your food, this is a great option.
Pros and Cons of Smoker Tubes
| Pros | Cons | ||
| A low-cost way to add smoke flavor to your foods | The metal wears easily in long-term use | ||
| Easy to carry for travels and campings | Must be refilled every five to six hours | ||
| Perfect for mix and matching wood types and flavors | |||
| Longer burns | |||
| Easy to clean up |
So, what makes a smoker tube good?
The main characteristics of a good smoke tube include:
- It provides sufficient air circulation around the food so that you don’t end up with burnt food.
- You won’t have to open the lid too often because it will stay on its own after being lit.
- You can easily see the burning fire which is very helpful while cooking.
- The smoke tube has a built-in thermometer to check the temperature of the food before you begin cooking.
- This would give you a better idea whether you should adjust the heat level according to the taste of your meat.
Also, smoke tubes are available in different sizes and shapes to suit all types of smokers and grills.
Is it worth buying a smoker tube at all?
If you are looking for a way to enhance the flavor of..
…your foods then yes, buying a smoke tube is definitely worthwhile.
You may find them expensive but there is nothing like spending…
…money on quality things rather than on cheaper alternatives.
They come with lots of benefits, especially when you think about…
…how much time you save and how tasty your food tastes.
So, buy yourself a smoke tube, try it out and enjoy the difference!
Can I use a charcoal chimney when using smoker tubes?
Yes, you can use a charcoal chimney as well.
It works perfectly fine but it’s recommended to use a separate…
…chimney because you cannot control the amount of smoke coming out.
Why Choose Smoker Tube Over Conventional Methods?
Smoke Tube is known to be the most efficient alternative…
…to traditional methods when it comes to smoking food.
Not only does it provide a steady stream of smoke, it also allows…
…you to monitor the cooking process closely and thus,..
…adjust the heat accordingly.
Apart from this, it is also cost effective because it doesn’t require any fuel to function.
Wood Pellets vs Wood Chips
Smoke tubes are intended for use with wood pellets,..
…but they also work well with wood chips.
The advantage of using pellets is that they last longer…
…and produce consistent smoke, whereas wood chips…
…burn quickly and must be replenished.
Check with the manufacturer to ensure that any warranties…
…are still valid if wood chips are used instead of pellets.
If you’d like to compare and see how pellet grills perform,..
…check out our pellet grills article.
Sum Up
Using wood chips in a smoker tube can be a great way to flavor your smoked food.
Especially if you’re one to get creative with your smoked food flavor…
…a smoker tube can make it easier for you to mix and match wood chips.
Conclusion
Have you tried using wood chips in a smoker tube?
Share your stories with the world in the comment box below.
Frequently Asked Questions Around Wood Chips in a Smoker Tube
What can you put in a smoker tube?
There’s a lot you can put in smoker tubes, but…
…some of the most popular items include beef, chicken, pork chops,..
…vegetables (such as onions and potatoes), fish (salmon or trout are two favorites),..
…and even fruit.
Make sure to lineup your ingredients so that they cook…
….evenly and produce delicious smoked meats every time.
And don’t forget about liquids; adding water or other favorite…
…condiments will help to create moist smokey dishes.
Can I use wood chips instead of pellets?
While there are some benefits to using wood chips…
…instead of pellets, it is important to do your research first.
Some of the most common concerns with using wood chips…
…include emissions and appearance.
Pellet smokers produce a lot of smoke and this may…
…affect the environment negatively.
Additionally, if you want an indoor pellet smoker that looks good,..
…then wood chips probably won’t be your best option.
When it comes to performance, both types of grills perform…
…similarly in terms of heat generation and temperature control.
However, when it comes to flavor or consistency, pellets seem to…
…outperform Wood Chips based on customer feedback.
How do you use a smoker tube?
A smoker tube is a device used to smoke food in an oven, stovetop, or microwave.
It consists of two parts – a water-filled chamber and a smoking compartment.
The chamber becomes wet as smoke from the smoking…
…compartment permeates it and cooks the food inside.
This allows you to cook foods such as meats, vegetables, desserts, etc.
How long does a smoker tube last?
When it comes to smoking tubes, there is no one-size-fits-all answer.
However, a typical tube will last around 1/2 hour or less.
So if you’re planning on using them for an extended period of time,..
….be sure to purchase additional tubes as needed.
Additionally, make sure that you clean your smoker…
…and tubes regularly in order to ensure optimal performance.
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Hi there! I’m a food enthusiast and journalist, and I have a real passion for food that goes beyond the kitchen. I love my dream job and I’m lucky enough to be able to share my knowledge with readers of several large media outlets. My specialty is writing engaging food-related content, and I take pride in being able to connect with my audience. I’m known for my creativity in the kitchen, and I’m confident that I can be the perfect guide for anyone looking to take their culinary journey to the next level.
