To soak chips or not

[newbie2 smoker]

Do I just read an article that soaking chips is a bad idea. Which is contrary to what I was taught. What is the thinking from the experts?

 

[clifish]

Do I just read an article that soaking chips is a bad idea. Which is contrary to what I was taught. What is the thinking from the experts?

no soak on the chips, they will just steam and you want smoke.

 

[DougE]

Really of no benefit. The chips have to dry out before they start producing smoke.

 

[Smokin Okie]

Not

 

[DougE]

Starving them for air by wrapping in foil packets with a few holes poked in them is a better idea. Back in the days when I was using my cheap electric brinkmann, I would take an empty vegetable or soup can (after burning the lining out), fill it with chips, cover with foil with a few holes poked in it, and place it close to the heating element in the bottom. I kept several ready to go for longer smokes and just switched them out as they quit making smoke.

This was in the days before pellet tubes or trays were invented.

 

[JLinza]

As above, don't soak

 

[forktender]

Starving them for air by wrapping in foil packets with a few holes poked in them is a better idea. Back in the days when I was using my cheap electric brinkmann, I would take an empty vegetable or soup can (after burning the lining out), fill it with chips, cover with foil with a few holes poked in it, and place it close to the heating element in the bottom. I kept several ready to go for longer smokes and just switched them out as they quit making smoke.

This was in the days before pellet tubes or trays were invented.

I still do it when I'm using my gas grill, I call them smoke bombs, I've turned a bunch of people on too it as well.

 

[chef k-dude]

You dont tell us what smoker you are using, so I can only assume it's an electric smoker designed to burn chips. I am a believer in generally following the manual that came with the device, in this case a smoker. Unless you built your own smoker there's likely a manual that came with it, even if you bought a smoker second hand there is likely a manual online somewhere for it.

In my manual for the MES30 it states:
"You may use dry or pre-soaked wood chips in your smoker. Dry chips will burn faster and produce more intense smoke. Chips pre-soaked in water (for approximately 30 minutes) will burn slower and produce a less intense smoke."

I soaked chips when I first bought it. Seemed like thats what people were doing. I dont smoke much lately but when I do, I dont soak them.

I first started smoking on a gas grill using different wood containment devices over one of the burners on low. Soaking was the only way to keep chips from burning up quickly. I eventually went to a solid piece of split wood on a custom rack I made to sit above the third burner but not on it. I would soak that piece for a couple days in a bucket of water before doing the cook.

So, context and knowing what method of smoking you are doing is important for advice/opinions on something like this.

 

[millerbuilds]

Agreed with above. No need to soak. The only time I do is on my gasser, the smoke box is flame fired and the chips burn up way to fast. Even then, I typically use wine or juice to add better flavor.

- Jason