New - How much wood?

[smokerlover]

Hello,
I have a Char Broil electric vertical smoker. I want to do a turkey for some friends on Super Sunday. All I can get are hickory and mesquite chips in my area. I know I need apple but I don't have a choice. Also, how many chips should I normallly use. I tried making jerky once ( the 1st and only time I've ever used one) with mesquite chips and used 2 handfuls directly on the heating element. What is a normal amount of wood chips?

 

[gunslinger]

Welcome to SMF.
I don't think you NEED apple. I usually just brine my poultry and smoke with oak and hickory. Apple is good, cherry is better, but not needed.
I don't know about an electric smoker, as I've never owned one. But when I used an ECB, I'd wrap chunks or chips loosely in foil and poke some holes. With this type of smoker, all you want with the wood is flavor. You don't need to utilize the fuel properties of the wood. So you want the wood to smolder on not catch fire.

 

[smokerlover]

Thanks for the help!
Should I soak the chips or just wrap them dry?

 

[gunslinger]

I always soaked mine per the instruction manual, but some say it's not needed.

 

[deejaydebi]

Smokerlover-

Welcome! Smoking turkey with Hickory amd mesquite is just fine! that all I ever have and it's still a great smoke.
I do not have an electric smoker I use charcol and I tend to put just a few small pieces at a time near the edges farthest from the heat.

Remember you want to lightly smoke the turkey slowly not asphyxiate it!

 

[cheech]

Welcome aboard any other questions that you have for fellow smoke lovers?

 

[ultramag]

Welcome to SMF smokerlover!!!

 

[msmith]

Welcome to the forum smokerlover.