How long are the smoking chips supposed to last?

[jacen]

Exactly how long are wood chips put into an electric smoker supposed to last? 

I soak the chips, put them on the lava rocks as directed and it seems like they "burn up" in about 10 minutes after they start. I even put them in a cast iron smoker box from my grill and they still didn't last very long. Am I just supposed to keep adding a little bit every 20-30 minutes or something? 

Oh, and I'm using a Brinkmann Electric Smoker. The ribs I just cooked in the unit came out fall off the bone tender, but didn't really have that much smoke flavor. Also, these results seem to be consistent between chips and the chunks I've tried.

 

[tis2fine]

Get a aluminum pie pan fill it up with soaked chips cover the top with HDF set it on top of the element. Put a few holes in the foil and you are good to go.

 

[daveomak]

Jacen, evening and welcome to the forum.....  Soaking the chips isn't really necessary.... they have to dry to smoke anyway...  A few chips at a time helps prevent too much smoke which makes food not taste so good....   Check into the http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/products/amaze-n-pellet-smoker

I works very well with electric smokers.....  Todd, on this forum designed and sells them....   It is a perfect match for your smoker....   

Please stop into "roll call" http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/f/133/roll-call

 and introduce yourself so we can give you a proper welcome.....  Dave

 

[frosty]

Welcome Jacen!

TONS of helpful people and knowledge available. 

Good luck!