wood smoke

[scottfish1]

How long should wood chips or chunks soak before you plan to use them in your smoker.I've heard from 15 minutes to one hour.How long is a good soak? scottfish1

 

[bb53chevpro]

I peronally don't soak the chips or chunks. My opinion, why put water into the wood when it will take longer before the wood smokes. That's my 2 cents worth.
But there are some here that due soak.
Andy.

 

[travcoman45]

I don't soak mine, If they tend to want to flare up, I cover the pan with some aluminum foil and poke a couple holes in it. Works for me.

 

[richtee]

Be sure to make a Roll Call forum post. and next search "preburn". Welcome to SMF.

 

[desertlites]

yup roll call! introduce yourself proper. we like to get aquainted with our smokin bros-than we can help in a mo better way.I go both ways-soak and no-join in and I tell ya why.

 

[jaynik]

I don't soak my wood. It was keeping my temps down and didn't produce the right kind of smoke. I keep my wood chunks on the outer edge of the coal pan and it gets them smoking without flaming too awful much.

 

[walking dude]

wow.........like this subject hasnt' been debated for years...........

 

[desertlites]

YES dude and it will be for many more-deep breath.

 

[mossymo]

WD..... I agree; but I have a big mouth and will go against the grain and add my 2 cents.

I am a man that likes to soak my wood (soaking your wood is a good thing, right?); always.

After I have presoaked my wood, I drain the water and then put the wood into ziplock bags and freeze (wood is always ready on demand and please do not bring up freezer burn !!!)

I feel soaked wood adds humidity (moisture) to the product being smoked and prevents flare ups. In a nutshell, it has become a habit that works for me...... and yes, I like to soak my wood.

 

[geob]

Instead of a soak, use green wood. Oil up the ole chain saw and get to it.

Smoking

 

[capt dan]

I wouldn't recommend green wood. It causes alot of creosote, and that makes food bitter.

 

[mossymo]

My thoughts are green is green. I have never used fresh wood for smoking, but my thoughts are that it will add creosote to the product you are smoking.....

Very much would like to here other thoughts or experiences with green wood.

 

[domn8_ion]

I've always heard that green wood give off creosote that could make you sick.

 

[earache_my_eye]

I occasionally toss a few chunks of green cherry limbs on the charcoal when grilling Iowa chops. 2 or 3 pieces about 1" dia. x 3" long is plenty. Just lay them around the edge of the charcoal and they have just enough time to get smoking when it's time to pull the chops off. I think it gives a nice light smoke flavor for a quick-grilled dinner.......

 

[desertlites]

grrrrr- I hope he was not talking bout useing green wood to smoke-don't go there!and please be careful whats said to the new people that might not know better-they just might take u up on it.sure don't want anybody getting sick from a Ill remark!

 

[adb551]

I have been around some bad BBQ when green wood was used.

And as for moisture, wet wood may add humidity to the air inside the smoker, slowing the process of evaporation of moisture from the meat, but it is impossible to add moisture to the meat itself. Unless you pound it full of holes and soak IT.

 

[richtee]

A couple things on this First, there's ALOT more air available for combustion when grilling, not to mention moving the smoke OUT of the grill. Second the temps that you cook at are MUCH higher. The meat is never "smoked" this way, and it's only on the grill for what 15-20 min. as opposed to 2-4 hours.

Don't use green wood in a smoker.

 

[jaynik]

Food network highlights BBQ joints a lot and I've heard several of them say they use green wood. Do you think they're shamming or is their larger chamber more conducive to using green wood?

 

[travcoman45]

No green wood here, only nicely seasoned stuff goes in my smokers! Green wood can create creosote, ya know the stuff you see on railroad ties, so your meats can look and taste like that with the green stuff. Just my opinion.

 

[richtee]

I have never heard that, but that don't mean it ain't true. The firebox would be the thing that would allow this I'd say. Think the smaller bro of a blast furnace.