Have you ever wondered how to use wood chips in an electric smoker?
If so, we will explain just how it is done in this guide.
Using wood chips in an electric smoker is a great way to add a smoky flavor to your meat. It’s easy, and with a little bit of practice, you can achieve that perfect smoky flavor every time.
I had to learn by the trial and error method. We didn’t have internet back in the day!
If you want to learn about using wood chips in electric smokers, just continue reading.
Contents
What is an electric smoker
If you’re new to smoking meat, you might be wondering what an electric smoker is and how it works.
An electric smoker is a cooking appliance that uses electricity to heat up and smoke meat, fish, or vegetables.
It’s an excellent option for those who want to smoke food without having to tend to a wood or charcoal fire.
How do electric smokers operate
An electric smoker has several components that work together to smoke food.
- The heating element is responsible for heating wood chips. It produces smoke that flavors the food.
- The wood tray is where you place the wood chips. It is positioned above the heating element.
- The water tray is located above the wood chip tray. This is where you add water to keep the meat moist during smoking.
- The smoking chamber is where you place the food. The smoke circulates within the smoking chamber to flavor the food.
- The ventilation system allows you to control the amount of smoke and air that circulates through the smoker.
Choosing the Right Wood Chips
Most grill and smoker owners know that choosing the right type of wood chips is crucial to getting the desired flavor for your meats. There are various types of wood chips available in the market, each with its unique flavor profile.
It is important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using wood chips in your electric smoker.
Some electric smokers require pre-soaking the wood chips, while others do not. Be sure to read the instructions carefully to ensure that you are using the wood chips correctly.
Types of Wood Chips
Only use hardwood chips during the smoking process. Here are some of the most popular types of wood chips used to create delicious smoke flavor:
- Hickory: This is a classic wood chip that is commonly used for smoking pork and beef. It has a strong, smoky flavor with a hint of sweetness.
- Oak: Oak is versatile and can be used for smoking different types of meat. It produces a mild smoky flavor that is not too overpowering.
- Apple: Apple wood chips are perfect for smoking poultry and pork. They produce a sweet, fruity flavor that is not too strong.
- Mesquite: Mesquite wood is ideal for smoking beef, lamb, and game meat. It produces a strong, smoky flavor that is slightly bitter.
- Cherry: Cherry wood chips are great for smoking poultry, pork, and beef. They produce a mild, sweet flavor that is not too overpowering.
- Peach: Peach wood is perfect for smoking pork and poultry. It produces a mild, sweet flavor with a hint of fruitiness.
- Alder: Alder wood chips are ideal for smoking fish and seafood. They produce a light, sweet flavor that is not too strong.
Preparing Wood Chips for Smoking
When it comes to using wood chips in an electric smoker, preparing them correctly is essential to get the best results. There are two common methods for preparing wood chips for smoking.
To Soak or Not to Soak Woodchips
One of the most common questions when it comes to preparing wood chips is whether or not to soak them.
Some people believe that soaking wood chips in water for a few hours before smoking helps them last longer and produce more smoke.
Others argue that soaking wood chips is unnecessary and can hinder the smoking process.
Ultimately, whether or not to soak your wood chips is a matter of personal preference. My experience is that it doesn’t matter. You’re gonna get the same results if the wood is wet or dry.
Methods for Using Wood Chips
There are a couple of methods that you can use to add wood chips to your smoker. We discuss some of the most popular methods below.
Make sure your smoker is clean and ready to go before using wood chips.
Wood Chip Tray Method
The wood chip tray method is the most common way to use wood chips in an electric smoker.
To use the wood chip tray method, follow the steps given below.
- Preheat your smoker.
- Fill the water tray with water.
- Load your favorite wood chips into the tray.
Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for your smoker to ensure that you are using the correct amount of wood chips.
Smoker Box Method
If your electric smoker does not come with a wood chip tray, you can use a smoker box instead.
A smoker box is a metal box that you fill with wood chips and place close to the heating element of your smoker. It has holes in it to allow for airflow.
Follow the steps below to use the smoker box method.
- Preheat your smoker
- Fill the water tray.
- Add chips to the box.
- Place the box over the heating element.
- Keep the smoker door closed.
If possible avoid direct contact with the heating element to reduce the chance of premature damage.
Foil Pouch Method
The foil pouch method is another popular way to use wood chips in an electric smoker. Using this method involves placing wood chips in aluminum foil.
If you want to use this method, follow the steps below.
- Preheat the smoker to your desired temperature.
- Put water in the water tray.
- Make a pouch with aluminum foil and your chosen wood chips.
- Poke holes in the top and place it on the heating element.
- Keep the smoker door closed.
Prepare extra pouches if you’re planning a long smoke session.
Alternative Techniques
If you don’t have a wood chip tray, smoker box, or aluminum foil, there are still other ways to use wood chips in your electric smoker.
For example, you can use a tin can to hold your wood chips and place it near the heating element. Just make sure the can that is made of non-toxic materials and is free from coatings or labels.
And make sure you drill holes in it to allow the smoke to escape.
Adding Wood Chips During Smoking
A good rule of thumb is to add wood chips to the smoker every 30 minutes or so.
You want to make sure that you add enough wood chips to keep the smoke production consistent. But you don’t want to add too much.
A lot of folks I know only use wood during the last third of the cooking time to prevent meat from becoming too smoky.
Final Thoughts on How to Use Wood Chips in an Electric Smoker
It’s a wrap. In this guide, we explained how to use wood chips in an electric smoker.
That means you are guaranteed some great-tasting barbecue the next time you fire up your smoker.
We also listed several types of wood to use based on the cuts of meat you are cooking – from brisket to pulled pork to smoked chicken!
So what are you waiting for? Let’s get smoking!
For more information on the best meats to smoke at home, read our related BBQ guide.
FAQs for How to Use Wood Chips in an Electric Smoker
What is the best type of wood chips to use in an electric smoker?
The best type of wood chips to use in an electric smoker depends on the flavor you want to achieve. Experiment with different types of wood chips to find the flavor that best suits your taste.
How do you properly add wood chips to a Masterbuilt electric smoker?
To properly add wood chips to a Masterbuilt electric smoker, remove the wood chip tray from the smoker and fill it with dry wood chips. Then, insert the tray back into the smoker and turn it on. The smoker will heat up and start producing smoke as the wood chips begin to burn.
At what point during the preheating process should you add wood chips to the smoker?
You should add wood chips to the smoker after it has finished preheating and is at the desired temperature. This ensures that the wood chips will start producing smoke immediately and won’t burn up too quickly.
