Wood chip question.

  • Some of the links on this forum allow SMF, at no cost to you, to earn a small commission when you click through and make a purchase. Let me know if you have any questions about this.
SMF is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

jh45gun

Newbie
Original poster
Dec 4, 2015
8
10
Can you use wood chips and chunks in those smoking tubes and trays they sell? Or are they pellet only.
 
The A-Maze-N smokers are generally pellet only. You can also do the fine "dust" chips in the maze smoker (AMNPS) but the tubes (AMNTS) only works with pellets.

Just as a note I had TRIED to do chips in the maze once, just to see, and no it for sure doesn't work with chips
 
Ok thank. Any one have a suggestion for using chips and hunks in a homemade wood box cold smoker. I know about using a hot plate. Was wondering about other methods that won't cost an arm and leg.
 
Depends...

What sort of smoker are you using? Also Amaze products are having a 20% off and free shipping sale on their site right now. As far as pellets go you can get a 20lb bag on amazon for just $20. The AMNPS and AMNTS (better for high elevation) are probably your best and cheapest bet no matter how you spin it IMHO.

A really cheap "ghetto" method I used for years until I got an AMNTS, is to stick a cheap soldering iron into a mug filled with chips. this actually generates a good amount of smoke, but it can sometimes pull the temps up in a small chamber. should be okay in a grill or a 30" or bigger chamber.

Ive had the rim of the soldering iron melt a couple of times so you can either pre-melt it off with a torch, or you can wrap it in a silicone hot pad/ trivet to protect it from the heat.  
 
yup.. a cheap (new. not one that's been used for soldering already) soldering iron... I used a big soup can.. drilled a hole in the side at the bottom for the tip of the iron to go in.. filled with chips... put a cover of aluminum foil, with holes poked in it, over the top (this seem to make them last longer)... I used a big cardboard box set down over the top of stackable racks and the cold smoker... put a vent in the box at bottom on one side and top of the other side.... worked great for cold smoking (cheese, eggs, etc.).... I still have the set up too...

That's the only way I know of to be able to use chips for cold smoking...
 
Well know a pan and a hotplate works too. That soldering pencil sounds interesting.
 
yup.. a cheap (new. not one that's been used for soldering already) soldering iron... I used a big soup can.. drilled a hole in the side at the bottom for the tip of the iron to go in.. filled with chips... put a cover of aluminum foil, with holes poked in it, over the top (this seem to make them last longer)... I used a big cardboard box set down over the top of stackable racks and the cold smoker... put a vent in the box at bottom on one side and top of the other side.... worked great for cold smoking (cheese, eggs, etc.).... I still have the set up too...

That's the only way I know of to be able to use chips for cold smoking...
Never thought of using a can like that... That's a great idea to keep the handle from melting, I actually use a stainless canister like they use at restaurants/ buffets to hold silverware in, I think ill go ahead and drill a side in that and try that, as I can usually only get 3-5 smokes out of one iron before it is unusable due to the handle melting off. As mentioned I do use an AMNTS now myself, but still like to have other options in the arsenal. Good note on the soldering iron being new, didn't think to mention that!
 
SmokingMeatForums.com is reader supported and as an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases.

Latest posts

Hot Threads

Clicky