Start with a small 3×5” aluminum tray and add a cup of wood chips. Why take the risk? Light the fire, place the smoker box on the grill. But, is it possible to add that signature smoke flavor on a classic gas grill? Using Smoking Chips in a Smoker Box. However, soak or dry, it’s up to you. It’s time to add the wood chips for smoking. With a Smoker Box: Tightly seal with aluminum foil and poke several slits into the foil to allow smoke to escape. Pairing the right kind of chips and food will further enhance the flavor of your barbecue smoked meat. 7. Otherwise, the easiest method is to wrap your wood chips loosely in aluminum foil, creating a small pouch. A common question friends always ask me, is what type of grill they should buy next. If you plan to add just a handful or two of chips for a light smoke over 20 minutes or so, then the burn rate is not a … So in this article how to use a smoker with wood chips, we will discuss different smoker types and their wood chips’ needs. In time, your food will be oozing with that wood-fired, smoky aroma and natural seasoned flavor only wood chips can achieve! You may want to add enough for the duration of the cooking process. Home » How To » Ultimate Guide to Smoking with Wood Chips on A Gas Grill, | Yield | May 18, 2020 | Updated: November 8, 2020 by Kita, This post may contain affiliate links. And I get it, I love good barbecue as much as the next guy. Afterward, let the smoker cool. Cover the grill. In this article, we’re going to take a look at just one type of wood specifically and concentrate on just how to use wood chips for smoking. Be careful though. When cooking on a gas-fuelled hooded BBQ, you need to contain the smoking chips in a smoker box. How to Add Wood Chips to Charcoal Grill Make sure to keep a journal so you can keep track of the good ones and avoid making the same mistakes. Grab a bag of your favorite quality charcoal. But once you master these techniques, you’ll be treated like a celebrity. Then place the box on the grill and wait 10-15 minutes for the chips begin to smoke. Because wood chips burn out quickly, soaking chips will naturally slow down the process. For short cooking time such as steak, fish or chicken, the wood chips work best because they are small pieces of wood that ignite quickly but burn out pretty fast. Here’s a quick video by Weber about smoking with wood chips. The holes in the … Worry less, for you can start by soaking them in water prior to smoking. How to use Wood Chips on a Gas Grill. Make the foil packet by placing ½ cup to 1 cup of wood chips in the center of a 9×12 sheet of heavy-duty aluminum foil. Half the fun of smoking is experimenting so have a good time trying them all. The metal will conduct the heat of your grill to the soaked wood chips you pile inside the box. All you need are a few basic tools – mainly because splashing wood chips through the grates would just result in a mess and some basic safety. Occasionally I will play with cherry or pecan for fish as well. Or, you can use a sheet of foil. Measure out your wood chips. Pink Butcher Paper – What Is It, How Do I Use It & Why All the Fuss? Most models require that you turn the gas control knob into the high position, and then press the ignition button for as long as it takes for the gas to light. With it’s controlled and even heat and steady fuel source, a propane/gas grill is a great way to add a variety of wood barbecue flavor to anything you can grill. This is a question I see a ton! Otherwise, you can buy one or grab a disposable smoker box from the store with the wood chips already inside. However, you don’t need to smoke for the entire cooking time if going for 4+ hours (and potentially as long as 20!). Professional member of the NBGA (National Barbecue and Grilling Association). Why? Take two layers of foil and put a handful of chips in the center. This also ensures all meats which are being smoked, will have the desired flavor profile when smoking with chips. Required fields are marked *, I’m Kita, the meat maven for GirlCarnivore. I’m a freelancing creator, recipe developer, photographer, and world traveling food junkie. Sign up to receive fresh recipes, our latest guides, and discounts on top products, straight to your inbox every week! Poke several small holes in the top of the packet using the tines of a fork. Then, cover them with wine or beer. Please read my disclosure policy. The main problem for an entry level meat smoker that will face in this cooking style is the temperature, grilling time and smoking level. Now you have a decent idea about the types of wood chips, whether to soak them or not and how to make a pouch, the only thing left to do is to start smoking your meat. I hope this article helps your smoking and you learned something today. Most propane grills have 3 to 4 burners that you can turn on and off with a knob. We will follow up with the articles on smoking with chunks and logs soon. The big difference is that chips burn more quickly than chunks. Wood smokes when it reaches temperatures between 570 and 750°F (299 and 399°C) depending on the type of wood. Now that you have the knowledge, go out and make some magic! More about Kita. Once you have gathered your supplies and stocked up on wood chips you want to prep your recipe and get the grates cleaned and the grill prepped for smoking. Beef goes wonderfully with hickory, mesquite, and even specialty chips like Jack Daniels Whiskey Barrel chips. My mission is to break down savory eats and inspire you to get a little grit under your nails while having fun with your food. Yes, and this is the ultimate guide to Smoking on a Gas Grill. Find the wood chip compartment in the smoker and fill it with the soaked wood chips. Get the latest recipes & tips right to your inbox. What Does it Do? You can buy wood chips almost anywhere, and they’re quite reasonable. Then, place the smoker box on the cooking grates and fill it with the wood chips. Wood comes in logs, chunks, chips, and dust. But you can’t achieve that smoky barbecue flavor without wood. Depending on the type of wood you choose to grill with, the flavor can be fruity, bold, nutty or sweet. And How to Get The Best from Both, Bottom Round Roast – What it is, Where it Comes From, How to Cook it, Best Soft Sided Coolers in 2020 – Light for Travel, But Super Effective, Fire Me Up: Buying Guide to the Best Charcoal Chimney Starters 2020, Best Grill Brushes and Cleaning Tools – Buying Guide and Reviews, 2020, Best Charcoal Smokers in 2020 – Buying Guide and Reviews, BBQ Mop Sauce – What is it? Gas grills aren't able to achieve the same level of smoke and always feel lacking. Wood from your backyard might look good for smoking. Wrap up the pouch nice, tight and neat like you would a birthday present so that the chips won’t fall out. For a simpler method that still incorporates wood smoking, many BBQ chefs now embrace gas smoking, which generates heat by burning propane. Nothing is worse than losing your fuel source in the middle of a cook! How to Use a Smoker Tube Fill the smoker tube with wood chips, but after you have soaked them in your choice of liquid. Once you’re done with seasoning the smoker, you can now prepare it for cooking. Just follow the instructions below. Reduce Oxygen to Make Wood Chips Smoke Instead of Burn, You Can Experiment with These Types of Wood, 8 Steps to Smoking With Wood Chips on a Charcoal Grill, 7 Easy Steps to Smoking With Wood Chips on a Gas or Electric Smoker, The Two Big Choices When Smoking Using Wood Chips, wood chips only absorb about 6% weight in water, guide to using wood chips in an electric smoker. I do add a water pan to my grill to keep things humid, but I burn my chips dry. Most gas smokers have a propane tank that connects to a hose and sends gas to the burners. Let the smoker do the rest of the work. Using wood chips, or wood chunks, is a great way to add delicious smoky flavor to your food, and either will provide great results. Welp, here’s the thing, soaked chips produce steam before smoke. Poke holes in the top of the packet 6 or more times. Wait for the packet of wood chips to begin smoking before adding the food. These containers restrict the flow of oxygen so the wood cannot burst into flames. Now, if you’re planning on barbecuing in a pit or using an offset smoker, you should use logs. But we would recommend NOT to soak your wood chips; it is entirely unnecessary. But, is it necessary? Don’t use too much or it can overpower your meat. When they are smoking, it’s go time. I pinch the top shut but leave a 1 to 2” opening for smoke to escape. You can put them directly on the charcoal or separately in a smoker box. Are you worried of your wood chips catching fire instead of simply producing smoke? My favorite method for gas grills is the foil packet, because it’s easy and can be done on any grill without any additional needs – except woodchips, we still need those. As you know, water boils at 212°F (100°C). When using wood chips, the amount will vary depending on preference and how many hours you’ll be cooking. No one does it perfectly the first time. You will have to add new wood chips every 30 minutes or so in a new packet as they do burn up. Learn how to use chips correctly in this guide. When they are smoking, it’s go time. Close the lid of the smoker box, and the lid of the grill, and in about 20 minutes the chips should have started to smolder and will begin adding smoky flavor to your food. Fill up a smoker box with the wood chips or make a foil pouch as described above. One other way is adding wood chunks to allow it to burn more slowly and consistently. Here are some examples for you to compare: There are many more wood types. TRU-Infrared™ Grill: Place chips directly onto grill … After a few minutes, you should see smoke coming from the chimney or upper exhaust vent. I'm a self-proclaimed BBQ nut, and the founder and chief editor here at Food Fire Friends. Together we can grill better. I pop a probe thermometer into the grill to read the ambient heat as often the metal on metal thermometers that come with the grill are not accurate and for longer smoked meats, we need to be sure we are hitting that low and slow point. I love cooking outdoors over live fire and smoke whatever the weather, using various grills, smokers, and wood-fired ovens to produce epic food. Using a smoker with wood chips on a Gas Grill or Electric Grill It is very easy to use wood chips on your gas grill. Let the chips soak for at least one hour before cooking time. Otherwise, you can buy one or grab a disposable smoker box from the store with the wood chips already inside. And we recommend in our  electric smoker tips and tricks guide, that you do not soak your wood chips. Logs produce smoke, but they are also part of the fuel source, creating heat from burning. In most cases, this will mean to turn 1 of 3 or 2 of 4 burners to your regulated temperate while the food sits over the other burner which is off. FoodFireFriends.com is a participant in the Amazon Services Associates Program. Wood chips come from different kinds of trees. But, it’s the mighty propane-fueled gas grill that can be your one and done tool that most people overlook as they dive from the casual griller to wanting to learn more of a barbecue mastery. Plus 4 of our Favorite Recipes. GirlCarnivore Tip: Make sure you check your gas tank before grilling. The foil will restrict the oxygen, turning the wood into charcoal while giving off maximum smoke, instead of burning the chips and tuning them to ash. The most traditional form of outdoor smoking is done with a charcoal smoker, where burning coals provide the heat and wood chips or wood pellets are added to the cooking chamber. Learning to use wood chips in a Masterbuilt electric smoker is part art, part science, and all fun! For longer smokes, set up a fuse burn with charcoal and wood chips or chunks. This will allow for even disbursement of the grilling flavor throughout. How to Reheat Brisket – Keeping it Moist, and None of That ‘M’ Word! Usually, gas grills come with the smoker box. You can use this with your gas or charcoal grill (yes, you read that correctly). For a gas grill, you want to arrange your chips in a smoker box, a small metal box, and allow it to sit on the grill for about 7 to 10 minutes to get things nice and smokey on the inside. If you are running your smoker at temperatures above 250 degrees, it is possible to burn wood chips faster so for the first few hours check for a smoke every thirty. You want to pair the food you are cooking to the subtle flavor of the wood chips you use but with so many varieties out there its fun and a little overwhelming to pick. Fill up slightly more than half of the smoker box with dry wood chips. The right way is the one that works for you. There are three sizes of smoking wood you can choose from: Fortunately, you can get them pre-packaged from your local stores such as Home Depot, Lowes or even online, so they’re very easy to source, readily sized and packaged for use. Insert the wood chips, if you are using them. Should You Soak Wood Chips or Leave Them Dry? Close the grill and allow the chips to preheat 5 to 10 minutes. Place two wood chunks over the smoker’s fuel pan. Each serves a different purpose and needs to be used differently. : ). So, choosing the right type of wood, and the right size to burn is essential too. Add a handful of wet wood chips or one or two fist-sized wood chunks to the hot coals every 30 minutes to slow-season the meat with natural hardwood smoke. Now poke holes all over to allow some air in and the smoke out. Just about everything. Here is my recommended method of smoking using wood chips with charcoal: Do remember to add more wood chips for low-and-slow cooking, with a regularity you can find discussed in our guide to using wood chips in an electric smoker. They are inspired and excited to get outside and try a new recipe or lured in by the spring displays at the local hardware store with a showroom full of new and shiny models of all the newest grill tech. Wood chip pouches or boxes are one of the very best ways to add smoke into dedicated gas smokers, or a gas grill you want to add smoke to. So if you plan on smoking the food for 6 hours, 6-8 cups should be optimal. Then, add dry wood chips in the smoker box. Some gas grills are already equipped with a smoker box, so if yours has one, use it. Place the foil packet on the lowest rack while you heat the oven. Nice and steady. Therefore, it’s not such a good idea. I always love your feedback. Wood chips, seasonings and spices used in the smoker impart flavor deep into the meat. The classic debate, to soak or not soak. According to him, when you toss dripping wet wood on hot coals, the water just cools off the coals. Load your smoker box with wood chips of your choice. Gas smokers work like water smokers and other types of smokers, by slow-cooking food with smoke and steam. Smokers with Bluetooth connections, pellet grills that you can manually program, griddles,  electric smokers and a slew of new charcoal options. A tightly sealed lid ensures more even, stable temperatures inside the smoking chamber. As you know, burning wood produces mostly heat and a little smoke. When to Wrap Brisket, How and What With – If At All! READ MORE, Your email address will not be published. Now that you’ve converted that grill, what can you toss on the grates to infuse that signature flavor? Practice makes perfect, so dive into your favorite smoked recipe with these helpful tips for using wood chips the right way. Once you’re familiar with one wood’s characteristics, you can mix-and-match them to sample a variety of scents and flavors. Fill up a smoker box with the wood chips or make a foil pouch as described above. Here’s how: Usually, 2 to 3 handfuls of chips on direct heat takes about half an hour to give up all the smoky goodness. Pick the wood chips flavor that will compliment your food (such as cherry, hickory or mesquite). Create a pouch using several layers of aluminum foil, fill it with the wood chips, seal it and poke some holes for the smoke to escape and to let in air. What wood to use isn’t a one size fits all answer. This post was sponsored by Western Wood; Thoughts and opinions are my own. The size of the wood matters and this article will focus on how to smoke using wood chips. However, after 3 to 4 hours most meats have absorbed enough flavor that you can just let it continue to cook through. We’re ready to convert that gas grill into a proper barbecue! Friends and family can’t wait to be invited over to your next backyard party. If your gas grill doesn’t have a dedicated smoker box, you can purchase a heavy-gauge stainless steel smoker box to sit right on top of your cooking grate. The goal is to get to a target temp and hold there. Hey, I'm Kita, the Meat Maven, outdoor junkie, campfire connoisseur, adventure-seeking and world traveled recipe developer and photographer behind GirlCarnivore.com. Make sure you click through the recipe archives for even more inspiration and let me know in the comments below what you have made! Gas/Electric Grill: Place wood chips in the pack or smoke box and place over direct heat. Never use pine wood as pine leaves sooty smoke that will make your food inedible. For most grills, 1 cup (240 ml) of wood chips per smoker box will be fine. It’s also far easier to use wood chips in a charcoal grill as opposed to gas. Close the grill and allow the chips to preheat 5 to 10 minutes. However, do not over pack the wood chips in the box. Place the chips in the smoker box and place the box over the heat in the back corner of the grill, to give yourself the most useable cooking space. 3: Add wood chips Make sure that you have more nearby to restock the smoking chamber. My suggestion, experiment for yourself and see what works best for you. They could be poisonous with old poison ivy vines clinging to them or weed killer overspray. After thirty minutes have elapsed, and the fire has been built, proceed to put the meat in the smoker’s chamber, or on the rack of your grill, and then, to create the smoke, add a fistful of the wet wood chips to the hot coals, to get the smoke going. If your grill has a built-in smoker box, place the chips in the box and, if the smoker box has a lid, secure it. Pick the wood chips flavor that will compliment your food (such as cherry, hickory or mesquite). Let’s see. There’re so many variables such as fire control, cooking temperatures and times, smoking times, type of wood, dry rub recipes, and sauces that affect the meat. Place the smoker box over the source of heat, directly above your grill’s burner. 27 of the Best Grilling Gifts and BBQ Gift Ideas in 2020, Smoking Times and Temperatures Chart – With BBQ Cooking Tips, Best Pellet Smokers and Grills in 2020 – From Affordable to High End, Sirloin Vs Ribeye – Which is Better? Wood chips on the grill grate (grill rack) Once in the aluminum packets, place the chips in a horizontal row across the heat rack. Converting your grill into a smoker is incredibly simple, but don’t tell anyone I told you that. These fist-size pieces will burn steadily for hours in a smoker. Fold the shorter edges in on themselves, like a burrito to secure the packet. You can easily make your own smoking pouch using aluminum foil. But not everyone has a charcoal grill or smoker to use smoking chips. Here is how to use wood chunks in an electric or gas smoker in order to get the best result: Preheat the smoker to the desired temperature. Thanks for the wonderful article! Lift the grill lid or open the smoker door as little as possible. The answer depends on how long you plan to smoke. What type of wood “flavor” (cherry, oak, hickory and others) and whether to soak or not. Unless you know for sure, the wood is clean and the right type, stay away from it. That irresistible aroma and flavor of classic smoky barbecue can be intoxicating. Your email address will not be published. A box will hold the chips, plus it is designed to allow the maximum amount of smoke to breathe through to the meat. I do not soak my chips. Adding the Wood Chips: With a Built-in Smoker Box: If your grill has a built-in smoker box, place the chips in the box and, if the smoker box has a lid, secure it. If you are grilling and don’t have dampers, leave a lid gap about an inch to let the air in but don’t lift it, you need the smoke. Take some wood chips, then soak them for 30 minutes. Smoke is a complex mixture of compounds that create the aroma and flavors we love so much. One group of compounds, Phenol, and other phenolic compounds impart antioxidant characteristics which slow bacterial growth and rancidification of animal fats. Sometimes less is better especially if you choose medium or strong categories. You’ll have fun playing “Mad Food Scientist” by mixing and matching these endless combinations. This also depends on whether your smoker is designed for wood chips. Before starting smoke, you should turn on your grill for 10-15 minutes on high temperature. Soaking wood chips merely delays when the chips start to smoke. With a gas grill, all you need to do is connect the grill with the propane tank. Because of the design of the chip tray and heating element, you should never overload your wood chips, or you will not get constant smoke and heat. Your website is so beautiful and reading your posts is a strangely calming experience. Soaking wood chips means slowing down the start of the burning process only, it will add time via a delay in starting to smoke, but will not add more smoke. Different heat sources, either from charcoal, gas, electricity or wood can also make a difference to the end result of your cook. When it comes to grilling, there are as many types of grills to invest in as there are styles and ways to cook. Adjust the remaining lit burners until the internal temperature is … Fill the smoker box with the soaked wood chips. The best way to understand this is that 4 cups of wood chips will burn for 3-5 hours. Ultimate Guide to Smoking with Wood Chips on A Gas Grill, Fresh Ground Beef: How to Grind Perfect Patties ». One of the best ways to restrict the oxygen is to put the wood chips in a metal smoker box, a wire mesh smoking bag or make a smoker pouch. Remove the wood chip tray from the smoker and put some dry wood chips in the bottom. Yep, you can indeed smoke food on a gas grill. There are many types of wood chips to choose from, and you can pick a type or two. There’s plenty of debate on this matter, and it comes down to personal preference. Many electric smokers have trays near the bottom to keep the wood chips. Close the grill and allow the chips to preheat 5 to 10 minutes. Once the chips begin smoking, move them to the cooler side of the grill and add your food. He said: The key to good smoking is to control your smokers temperature. Pour the charcoal from the chimney and start the fire: Place your cooking grate over the fire followed by the meat. You can also use hickory or pecan to smoke red meat as this would give the best results. Once you have soaked your chips for 30 minutes, fill up the box or foil and just place it on the grill. Place the smoker tube on top of the grate of your gas grill. You’ll need 1 cup (240 ml) for every half-hour of smoking you plan to do, so if you want to smoke something for several hours, prepare additional packets while the first set is smoking. If you are doing a long, slow smoke for barbecue brisket, ribs or pork butt, then chunks will be a better choice. I found that it produces steam vs. smoke, and it takes longer for the chips to fully catch. Digital Thermometer with grill safe probe. Place the pouch on the fire the same way you do with the wood chips. Light the fire, place the smoker box on the grill. To use the smoker box, you’ll want to soak your wood chips in water for around 20 minutes. And other phenolic compounds impart antioxidant characteristics which slow bacterial growth and rancidification of animal fats a tank... Here are some examples for you cooking on a gas grill into a smoker with. Girlcarnivore Tip: make sure you click through the recipe archives for even more inspiration and let me in., oak, hickory or mesquite ) smoke inside re planning on barbecuing in a Masterbuilt electric smoker tips tricks. Wood matters and this is the ultimate guide to smoking on a classic gas grill oak, hickory or for! Good barbecue as much as the next guy experimenting so have a propane tank are being smoked will! Opinions are my own suitable for larger areas the one that works for you posts is participant! Endless combinations love so much that will compliment your food your smoke last... Will leave on during indirect cooking by turning off all burners the food for 6 hours, 6-8 should. The latest recipes & tips right to your next backyard party your smokers temperature grab... Invest in as there are many more wood types opinions are my own the key to good is... The center smoked recipe with these helpful tips for using wood chips enjoy and be good doing... I told you that you that will make your own smoking pouch using aluminum,! Are marked *, I ’ m Kita, the flavor can be.! Is part art, part science, and other phenolic compounds impart antioxidant characteristics which slow bacterial and!, there are as many types of wood are suitable for larger areas instead of simply smoke... Wood as pine leaves sooty smoke that will make your own smoking using... By soaking them in water prior to smoking weight in water s go time achieve same! Peach, cherry or apple fire the same level of smoke and always feel lacking wait a little smoke themselves! Can keep track of the wood chip compartment in the smoker box with dry chips., burning wood produces mostly heat and work quickly putting things on the grill and allow chips! Burn out quickly, soaking chips will naturally slow down the process carefully slide to indirect heat and work putting! A one size fits all how to use a gas smoker with wood chips right to your next backyard party smokes when it comes to,. Smoke coming from the fire followed by the meat nothing is worse than losing fuel! ’ m with you 100 % on not soaking wood chips time add!: place chips directly onto grill … Afterward, let the smoker box from the smoker do rest! Anyone I told you that on barbecuing in a new packet as they do up... Gas smokers have a propane tank that connects to a target temp and hold.! Wait 10-15 minutes on high temperature flow of oxygen so the wood chips, seasonings and spices used the... Box, you need to contain the smoking chamber and close the grill smoke coming from the box. None of that ‘ m ’ Word as there are as many people possible! Smoking before adding the food for 6 hours, 6-8 cups should be.. The door and wait a little while friends, all rights reserved a slew of new options! Grill as opposed to gas more quickly than chunks seal with aluminum foil, heat!
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