Question about chips

[Jtexans4]

So far I've been using nothing but the bags of large wood chips in my smoke hollow electric smoker. My girlfriend picked me up a sampler pack of 4 different wood chips,but they are in the small containers that almost look/feel like sawdust. Will I have any issues using these in my electric smoker? If not, how much should I use? Wanting to some some chicken tomorrow!

Thanks!

 

[SonnyE]

You don't say what Smoke Hollow smoker you have.
But, my MES 30 said to use about 1/4 cup per load. (Chip loader)
That done, it didn't work for shi .. nola.
So I made my version of a 'mailbox mod', finally got an AMNPS, and I'm sm00king with pellets.

Experiment with some to see how it burns in your smokerbox. Have fun with it! You may find a new flavor of wood you like more. ;) She means well getting you some variety to try. :D
For example: I was always partial to Hickory. But I tried some Alder for some Salmon and I really liked how that tasted. Milder, kind of sweeter.
Some like fruit woods, Apple, Cherry. Lighter, milder smoke flavors.

My last smoke, I used about 1/3 of Hickory pellets, covered with Alder 'dust'. The Alder dust was from some left over Bradley pucks that I smushed up with a 2 pound hammer (gently).
The pellets made a nice fuse to keep things moving along, and the smoke had a really nice aroma. My Salmon came out delicious.
But I'm working towards a bit less smoke, because I think I over smoke things.
Lots of trial and error finding our way we like what we taste.

 

[Jtexans4]

Thanks for the reply! This is the smoker I use:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Smoke-H...BEgJoDPD_BwE&dclid=CJz-mL_P0NkCFdNsAQodv08GUg

I have been using hickory just because I bought a big bag of it when I bought the smoker a few months ago. I used a small bag of apple chips for chicken as well. This sampler came with hickory, cherry, alder and apple. I may end up buying another bag of larger wood chips to throw in the smoke box and then covering those with the dust rather than using 100% dust. I feel like the dust might burn up too fast by itself with this electric unit.

 

[gmc2003]

So far I've been using nothing but the bags of large wood chips in my smoke hollow electric smoker. My girlfriend picked me up a sampler pack of 4 different wood chips,but they are in the small containers that almost look/feel like sawdust. Will I have any issues using these in my electric smoker? If not, how much should I use? Wanting to some some chicken tomorrow!

Thanks!

I'm not familiar the SHES, but I do know chicken takes on smoke really quick. With that said, dust does burn cleaner then chips or pellets. If you have them try a fruit wood until you know what to expect. I like cherry or apple. Also depending on how hot your planning on cooking the chicken you may need to finish it on a grill or oven to avoid rubbery skin.

Good luck and let us know how it turns out.
Chris

 

[SonnyE]

Thanks for the reply! This is the smoker I use:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Smoke-Hollow-26-in-Vertical-Electric-Smoker-26142E/205423748?cm_mmc=Shopping|THD|google|&mid=sG8eBDkW7|dc_mtid_890338a25189_pcrid_140426713082_pkw__pmt__product_205423748_slid_&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_d2_vM_Q2QIVTbnACh2DeQn5EAYYAyABEgJoDPD_BwE&dclid=CJz-mL_P0NkCFdNsAQodv08GUg

I have been using hickory just because I bought a big bag of it when I bought the smoker a few months ago. I used a small bag of apple chips for chicken as well. This sampler came with hickory, cherry, alder and apple. I may end up buying another bag of larger wood chips to throw in the smoke box and then covering those with the dust rather than using 100% dust. I feel like the dust might burn up too fast by itself with this electric unit.

I like it! A nice, no nonsense smoker. If you ever think you might want a more digital temperature control, a simple plug connected PID rated for over 1500 watts will easily do for you. One example.
Personally, I like the option of mixing my own, as I did with some Hickory and Alder. But last night I drove across town to get a bag of blended pellets because they were good and cheap. Probably last me forever. And if I don't like them, I can pawn them off on the Daughter and SIL. ;) But I'm pretty sure they'll be ok for me.
Experiment a bit, and enjoy!

I always eat my evidence. That way nobody ever knows if it was bad. :D:p

 

[Jtexans4]

I like it! A nice, no nonsense smoker. If you ever think you might want a more digital temperature control, a simple plug connected PID rated for over 1500 watts will easily do for you. One example.
Personally, I like the option of mixing my own, as I did with some Hickory and Alder. But last night I drove across town to get a bag of blended pellets because they were good and cheap. Probably last me forever. And if I don't like them, I can pawn them off on the Daughter and SIL. ;) But I'm pretty sure they'll be ok for me.
Experiment a bit, and enjoy!

I always eat my evidence. That way nobody ever knows if it was bad. :D:p

Thanks! I never thought about that really. I have a few Ink birds to control my kegerators and couldn't be happier with the quality so I may pick one up!

 

[daricksta]

So far I've been using nothing but the bags of large wood chips in my smoke hollow electric smoker. My girlfriend picked me up a sampler pack of 4 different wood chips,but they are in the small containers that almost look/feel like sawdust. Will I have any issues using these in my electric smoker? If not, how much should I use? Wanting to some some chicken tomorrow!

Thanks!

I use both pellets and Dust (sawdust for smoking), but mainly pellets for hot smokes. Dust is very popular for cold smokes since it seems to perform better at lower temps. You should look into A-MAZE-N pellet and Dust smoker trays since they are excellent products. Most of them will burn either pellets or Dust.

You should at least at oak and pecan pellets or Dust to your smoking arsenal, and perhaps mesquite. Cherry imparts a great flavor but I've read it's a difficult wood to remain lit because of it's a really hardwood. Many times it's blended with an easier burning wood to keep it going. I'm not a huge fan of alder although I have that too for smoking fish.

I mainly use hickory and oak. I use apple sometimes for cheeses, pork ribs and poultry just to switch off from hickory for a different flavor.