Using wood chips in an outdoor smoker is a great way to infuse your food with delicious smoky flavor. To get started, you'll want to soak your wood chips in water for at least 30 minutes before using them. This will help them smolder and create smoke, rather than catch on fire.
Once your wood chips are soaked, you can add them to the smoker. Most smokers have a designated compartment for wood chips, but if yours doesn't, you can make a small foil packet filled with wood chips and place it directly on the heat source.
As your smoker heats up, the wood chips will start to smoke, infusing your food with that signature smoky flavor. You can experiment with different types of wood chips to achieve different flavors - hickory, mesquite, apple, and cherry are all popular choices.
Remember to replenish your wood chips as needed throughout the smoking process to maintain a steady supply of smoke. With a little practice, you'll be able to use wood chips to elevate the flavor of all your outdoor smoking creations.
Best Outdoor Smokers of October 2024
1
Rating is 5 out of 5
Masterbuilt® 30-inch Digital Electric Vertical BBQ Smoker with Leg Kit, Side Wood Chip Loader and 710 Cooking Square Inches in Black, Model MB20070421
-
Vertical digital electric smoker with 710 square inches of cooking space
-
Digital controls to easily set cooking time and temperature up to 275°F
-
Four chrome-coated smoking racks
-
Removable water bowl to add moisture and catch food drippings
2
Rating is 4.9 out of 5
EAST OAK 30" Digital Electric Smoker, Outdoor Smoker with Glass Door and Meat Thermometer, 725 Sq Inches of Cooking with Remote, 4 Detachable Racks Smoker Grill for Party, Home BBQ, Night Blue
-
𝗕𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗺𝗼𝗸𝗲𝗿 𝗙𝗹𝗮𝘃𝗼𝗿: The smoker features a side wood chip loader for continuous smoking for 2-3 hours without opening the door and adding chips, preserving the internal heat, and locking in the smoked flavors
-
𝗧𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗝𝘂𝗶𝗰𝘆 𝗧𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲: The 800W power heating tube in the electric smoker creates consistent smoke from wood chips, guaranteeing tender, juicy meats through low and slow cooking. Follow EAST OAK's website for more delectable recipes
-
𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗢𝗯𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗙𝗼𝗼𝗱: The visual glass door allows you to directly observe the food in the smoker, and the internal light also aids in illumination. The meat probe detects food temperature and keeps track of smoking progress and heat in real-time
-
𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗗𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆: The digital smoker features a casing made of three layers of high-quality materials. Additionally, aluminum plating along the edges reduces deformation and damage, ensuring long-lasting durability for outdoor use
3
Rating is 4.8 out of 5
Ninja OG951 Woodfire Pro Connect Premium XL Outdoor Grill & Smoker, Bluetooth, App Enabled, 7-in-1 Master Grill, BBQ Smoker, Outdoor Air Fryer, Woodfire Technology, 2 Built-In Thermometers, Black
-
7-IN-1 FUNCTIONALITY: Grill, BBQ smoke, Air Fry, Roast, Bake, Broil, and Dehydrate with 100% real woodfire flavors all in one place.
-
WOODFIRE TECHNOLOGY: Powered by electricity, flavored by real wood burning pellets for all the flavor and none of the flame. Add woodfire flavor you can see and taste.
-
FOOLPROOF BBQ SMOKER: Authentic BBQ bark and flavor—fast and easy with just ½ cup of pellets.
-
DUAL THERMOMETER COOKING: Includes 2 built-in thermometers so you can cook 2 different protein types to 2 different doneness settings from rare to well.
4
Rating is 4.7 out of 5
Ninja OG701 7-in-1 Outdoor Electric Grill & Smoker - Grill, BBQ, Air Fry, Bake, Roast, Dehydrate & Broil - Uses Woodfire Pellets - Portable & Weather Resistant
-
MASTER GRILL, BBQ SMOKER, & AIR FRYER: All in one with 100% real smoky flavor..Voltage: 120 volts
-
MASTER GRILL: Get all the performance of a full-size propane grill with the same char and searing.
-
FOOLPROOF BBQ SMOKER: Create authentic BBQ bark and flavor fast and easy with just 1/2 cup of pellets.
-
OUTDOOR AIR FRYER: Add smoky flavor to your air fried favorites and cook all your side dishes outdoors.
-
WEATHER-RESISTANT: Cook and store outdoors year-round.
-
1760-WATT ELECTRIC POWER: No charcoal, propane, or flareups. Balcony & apartment friendly.
5
Rating is 4.6 out of 5
Cuisinart COS-244 Vertical Propane Smoker with Temperature & Smoke Control, Four Removable Shelves, 36", Black
-
Product Dimensions: 19.3" L x 18.1" W x 38.6" H | Weight: 69.5 lb
-
FOUR 14 X 14-INCH REMOVABLE STAINLESS STEEL SHELVES: Four stainless steel racks can be easily removed for smoking whole birds or large cuts of meat. Racks are dishwasher safe, making cleanup easy.
-
BUILT-IN THERMOMETER: Features easy-to-read thermometer on the front door for accessible monitoring of the internal temperature.
-
SEAL-TIGHT TWIST-LOCK DOOR AND HANDLE: The door stays tightly sealed with a twist of the handle.
6
Rating is 4.5 out of 5
Masterbuilt® 40-inch ThermoTemp Propane Gas Vertical BBQ Smoker with Analog Temperature Control and 960 Cooking Square Inches in Black, Model MB20051316
-
Vertical propane smoker with 960 square inches of cooking space
-
Ignition button to easily light fuel with the push of a button
-
Four chrome-coated smoking racks
-
Woodchip tray to add delicious smoky-flavor to food
-
Adjustable air damper for smoke control
7
Rating is 4.4 out of 5
Royal Gourmet SE2805 28-Inch Analog Electric Smoker with 3 Cooking Grates, 454 sq inches Cooking Area in Total, 1350W Output, Outdoor BBQ Smoker with Adjustable Temperature Control, Black
-
Better Smoked Flavor: The bottom heating tube works with a removable stainless steel water pan and a chip box to add smoked flavor and make it more tender.
-
Outstanding Heating Performance: 1350-watt heating power and an insulated chamber provide an even and consistent heating experience.
8
Rating is 4.3 out of 5
Vertical Propane Smoker with Temperature Control, BBQ Smoker Grill Outdoor Heavy Duty Three Removable Smoking Shelves, Black
-
With its simple design and a large smoking chamber, this vertical gas Smoker is the perfect choice for any enthusiast of smoked food, its compact design fits nicely on most patios or decks.
-
Incredibly solid and well-built, this sturdy smoker’s door seals in the smoke. The extra wide racks allow for ample airflow around the meat. Both the water bowl and wood chip tray are easy to access.
-
Smokers with wider racks to allow for larger-format smoking or big cuts of meat. The door of the cooking chamber can seal tightly shut, to trap smoke inside with minimal leaks.
9
Rating is 4.2 out of 5
Masterbuilt® 30-inch Electric Vertical BBQ Smoker with Analog Temperature Control, Chrome Smoking Racks and 535 Cooking Square Inches in Black, Model MB20070210
-
SPACIOUS VERTICLE DESIGN with 535 cooking square inches that fits up to 3 chickens, 2 turkeys or 3 racks of ribs
-
REMOVABLE WOOD CHIP TRAY – Add rich smoky flavor to your food and experiment with different wood chip types.
-
THREE chrome coated smoking racks included
What is the best wood chip for smoking vegetables?
Fruit woods like apple, cherry, and pecan are commonly recommended for smoking vegetables as they impart a mild and slightly sweet flavor that complements the natural taste of the vegetables without overpowering them. Oak and hickory are also good options for a more robust flavor. Ultimately, the best wood chip for smoking vegetables depends on personal preference and the specific vegetables being cooked.
What is the ideal size of wood chips for smoking?
The ideal size of wood chips for smoking typically ranges from 1/4 to 1/2 inch in size. Wood chips of this size provide a good balance of surface area for smoking while also allowing for good airflow and combustion. These smaller wood chips are able to ignite quickly and produce a consistent smoke flavor throughout the smoking process. Ultimately, the size of the wood chips may vary depending on personal preference and the type of smoker or grill being used.
What is the smoking time for meats using wood chips in a smoker?
The smoking time for meats using wood chips in a smoker can vary depending on the type of meat being cooked and the desired level of doneness. In general, smoking times can range from 1-2 hours for smaller cuts of meat like chicken or ribs, to 4-6 hours for larger cuts like brisket or pork shoulder. It is important to monitor the internal temperature of the meat using a meat thermometer and adjust the cooking time accordingly.
