It’s nearly the time! Summer is coming, which means that it’s time for BBQ’ing in the backyard. You can use gas or charcoal to smoke your meat with wood chips, but this year you want to try something new.
Smoked meats offer you the pleasure of cooking and offer a variety other than only grilling hot dogs, burgers and steaks. This article seeks to provide you with all the information you need in your own backyard to begin smoking wooden chip meat – no smoker is needed! Wood smoking can be so simple.
How To Use Wood Chips On A Gas Grill
You might be in luck if you use a gas grill. A dedicated smoker box with its own burner is included with some models.
Simply toss in your damp wood chips and walk away! If your gas grill doesn’t come with one, you can buy a heavy-gauge stainless steel smoker box or use a foil pan covered in aluminum foil instead.
It’s worth noting that building your own smoker box with a gas grill works a little differently. Place the box in a corner, turn all of the burners to high, and when the smoke level is just right, turn the burners down and let the meat cook.
You won’t be able to add chips to this box like you would with a built-in or stainless steel box.
Then there’s the most contentious question of all when it comes to using wood chips to smoke meat: should you soak them or not?
How Long Do I Soak Wood Chips For Smoker
What’s the point of soaking your chips?
This is a topic that has sparked a lot of debate among smokers. Most people believe that soaking your chips is necessary because smoking involves not only burning the wood, but also allowing it to smolder and produce a long-lasting smoke that pervades the food without leaving a strong “burnt” flavor, but rather a rich, tasty hint of smoky flavor.
Some grilling experts believe that you can never soak wood chips long enough, and that the longer you plan to smoke a piece of meat, the longer you should soak them (for a steak, thirty minutes is great; for a Boston butt, soaking the chips for a day or more is more appropriate).
Others argue that you don’t need to soak your chips at all, and that even overnight soaking won’t completely saturate larger pieces of wood. However, I recommend soaking chips because you want smoldering wood, not completely burned wood.
How Often Do You Change Wood Chips In A Smoker
While there is no set rule for how often you should change your smoker’s chips, a good rule of thumb is every five to six hours.
Some people pile one or two cups of chips on top of the ones they’ve already eaten.
The most important thing to consider is the quality of the smoke you’re getting each time you light up.
Each time you smoke, I recommend using a cooking log to figure out what combination of chips, what flavor, and how often you add chips or change out the chip box, so that once you figure out the perfect combination, you’ll remember it and be able to use it again.
Check for mold on chips that have been used four or more times consecutively.
Aside from that, you can swap out your chips as often as you want. Thinner smoke is another sign that your current chips should be replaced. Memorial Day is approaching, which signals the start of grilling and smoking season. If you’re anything like me, you can’t wait to get the grill going!
Try something new this year and smoke your food on your grill! All you’ll need are an aluminum bag or tray, some tin foil, and your preferred the best wood chips.
I hope you enjoyed reading the list of wood chip uses, and I encourage you to leave your thoughts in the comments section below. Good luck with your smoking!
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.
