If you want to get the most out of your backyard grill, then outdoor smoking is simply a must. One of the easiest ways to take advantage of your outdoor space is with an outdoor smoker. Basically, an outdoor smoker is a box that you put all your grilling essentials—like meat, veggies, and even fish—in before firing up the grill. Once everything’s been marinated in smoke for a while, the smell will permeate through your house and give you and your family some much-needed relaxation time after a long day outside. Here are some tips on how to choose the right wood chip for your smoker so that you have optimal results when using it.
What are wood chips?
Wood chips are made from the small pieces of wood that have been shavings, cuttings or trimmings from trees ranging from oak, mesquite and apple wood. These wood chips are often found in wood pellet stoves, but they are also used for smoking. Wood chips come in many different forms, including chips, pellets, shavings, dust, or shredded wood. Each type is made from a different kind of wood and has a certain flavor that can make your food taste better. There are also a variety of other factors to consider, like whether or not the wood chips are organic.
Different Types of Smoking Wood Chips
Mesquite Wood Chips – Mesquite is a type of wood that’s found in the Southwest of the US. It has a strong smoky flavor that can give any dish a more robust taste. Apple Wood Chips – Apple wood chips are great if you’re looking for something mild that won’t overwhelm your food’s taste. It is arguably the best wood for smoking ribs. It also goes well with pork, poultry, fish, and vegetables. Cherry Wood Chips – Cherry wood chips are another mild wood option that’s great for fish, vegetables, and even some meats. It’s an ideal wood for smoking desserts too. Hickory Wood Chips – Hickory is a type of wood that’s known for its strong, warm flavor that’s great for adding some additional heat to your dish. It pairs well with beef, pork, and even fish.
Shredded Wood Chips for Smoker
Wood chips can be a bit messy and hard to store, especially if you’re using them for outdoor smoking. Shredded wood chips are easily stored and take up a fraction of the space that fresh wood chips do. They’re also great for outdoor smokers because they don’t absorb as much smoke flavor as fresh wood chips do. Shredded wood chips usually come in a shaker can, where you just have to shake it and dump the contents into your smoker. There are a few things to keep in mind when using shredded wood chips. First, they’re usually an 80/20 mix of hardwood and softwood. This means that they have an intense flavor, but they also have a tendency to go out quickly.
Dried Woods for Smoker
Dried woods are like shredded wood, but they’re much more expensive. They’re a great choice for outdoor smokers because, like shredded wood, they don’t take up much room and don’t absorb as much smoke. Dried woods are great for adding flavor to meats and vegetables, but they can also be used for smoking desserts. They come in a wide variety of flavors, including apple, apricot, cherry, peach, and almond. There are a few things to keep in mind when using dried woods for smoking. First, they tend to go out faster than fresh wood, so you need to be ready to add more wood chips. Second, they’re usually not organic, which can be a big deal depending on where you live.
Which Type of Wood Chips Should You Use?
When choosing which type of wood chips to use, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, the type of wood you use is going to affect the flavor of your food. For example, mesquite has a stronger, more smoky flavor, so you might want to use it for dishes that need extra flavor. Second, the type of smoker you have will affect your smoking experience. If you’re using a kettle or electric smoker, then fresh wood chips are best. If you’re using a charcoal smoker, then you can use fresh or dried wood chips. If you’re using a wood pellet stove, then you want to use fresh wood chips. This is because wood chips that have been sitting in the can for too long will clog up the stove and cause it to malfunction.
Conclusion
There are many different wood chips available on the market. Choose the best chips depending on what you’re planning to cook that day. Different cuts of meat pair well with different types of chips. In some scenarios you’ll want to soak your chips in water so that they do not fizzle out too quickly and can provide steam to help your meat cook.
