The Best Smoke

[joe645]

What is the consensus about using just wood chips in an electric smoker against wood and charcoal mix or wood on lava rocks?

 

[jarjarchef]

I have only used a MES, so not sure about the other types of electric smokers.

I only use wood chips. Have not purchased an APNPS yet.
Don't know what benifet the charcole would give you. The chips give you the smoke and the heat element will give you the heat. Besides they are not designed for that type of heat source or usage. Very thin metal and lots of wires between the panels. I would not recommend doing this, you run all kinds of chances of either a fire or screwing up your smoker. Just me and my thoughts....

The lava rocks you could maybe use in the water pan, sort of like the playground sand, as a heat mass for heat recovery. But again if you use the APNPS you are almost set it and forget it. I would not put the lava rocks on the heat element, I see an issue of over heating the lower area and messing up the hidden wires.

 

[diggingdogfarm]

There is no consensus, it's a matter of personal preference, you're going to get a gazillon different opinions.
I prefer charcoal or a stick burner for bbq because of the superior flavor and an electric for sausage making and meat curing for the superior temperature control.

~Martin

 

[joe645]

Thanks guys. The MasterForge Electric smoker I got from Lowes and Wed will be its baptism. The small amount of lava rocks came with the unit and sit underneath the element. I will go with wood chips on top of those and let you know my results. Doing Ribs and Tenderloin.