New Smoker HERE!

[minx boy]

Hey guys, first time in the forum, and new smoker here. I am super stoked, cause I've been grilling on propane for about 4 years now, and I just found out that my dad has a new brunsfel water smoker. It is a tall tower, with an off-set heat source. I have used it to smoke some meat about 5 times now, and every time it has turned out amazing. I have also used just the grill party to cook some chicken and the works, and that also has be amazing.  

What my question is, Ive just been using charcoal as my heat source, and put soaked wood chips on the coals when im ready to smoke. This has worked great, but I want to use wood as my heat source. It makes me feel like a true smoker. I've used just wood to grill chicken and the works, and it always turns out ten times better than just charcoal and a little wood chips for grilling. So I have looked everywhere to find a correct answer for this question.

If I am using wood as my heat source, do I still need to put wet wood chips on the coals, or does the wood coals (NO CHARCOAL) produce smoke for the smoking process, or do I need to still use the wet wood chips even if I am using wood as my heat source? 

Next question is, if I want to just grill with wood, then do I use logs, or chunks so it dosent take as long to burn to coals? 

My next question is, why do some people use charcoal and then just place logs on top of them? Is this for smoking or grilling? Do the whole logs produce smoke for a smoking, or do they catch on fire to use with the coals for a grilling?

Next question is, IF I do use charcoal as my heat source for smoking, is it better to use wood chips or wood chunks?

And my last question is, why do people use charcoal over wood to smoke/grill anyway?

Thank you guys for all your help and input. I really have found a new love for grilling with wood, and smoking. I would really appreciate as many if not all these questions answered for me! THANKS AGAIN FOR THE HELP :)

 

[eman]

#1. You don't need chips or chunks if using wood as a heat source.

#2 If you are going to grill i would just use coals w/ maybe a chunk or two for smoke flavor

#3 Most use a base of coals to get the fire started , then feed it w/ splits or small logs.

 This is for smoking usually. The logs will produce both smoke and heat.

#4 Chips burn up faster so you need to replace them more often, I would use chunks if using just coals as a heat source.

 #5 Charcoal is used to grill because in grilling you are looking for a higher heat w/ a shorter burn time.  If you are going to grill for a whole bunch of folks where you need higher heat for a longer time then you would want to start w/ coals and add splits as needed to keep your heat up.

BTW .Welcome to SMF!!!

 

[minx boy]

Thanks so much for the help, but as to my last question, you said if im grilling use the charcoal and add log splits if im wanting a longer burn with higher heat correct? What about smoking, the same thing? Also you said dont use just wood to grill, use charcoal, and a few wood chunks. Can I use just wood if I want , because I did it before and it was perfect...?

 

[SmokinAl]

    Glad to have you with us!

 

[minx boy]

Thanks for the warm welcome guys, and for the help! :D

 

[pineywoods]

I would suggest cutting the logs into small splits this way you can control the heat better. The other thing you can do is start a wood fire in a pit or drum then just shovel coals into the firebox or grill as needed this would control the heat even better

 

[raymo76]

Sound advice from everyone who replied before me, good luck and welcome to the forum

 

[bluebombersfan]

 

[mballi3011]

First off welcome Minx to SMF. You'll like this place for there are alot of folks here that would just love to help you with just about anything to do with smoking meat. You will find alot of good recipes and techniques here also. so with all that said:

Welcome to your new Addiction.

 

[rowdyrawhide]

Thanks so much for the help, but as to my last question, you said if im grilling use the charcoal and add log splits if im wanting a longer burn with higher heat correct? What about smoking, the same thing? Also you said dont use just wood to grill, use charcoal, and a few wood chunks. Can I use just wood if I want , because I did it before and it was perfect...?

You can use wood it will just take a little bit longer to get a good bed of coals.

 

[minx boy]

Thanks again everyone for all the help!

 

[oldschoolbbq]

Minxboy,take a read at my WIKI on woodburning101

 ,that's at the top of this page;scroll through the instructionals and you'll find it-if you have questions,PM me

I enjoy helping with wood burners

Here's my woodburner:

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and my only source of fuel...

 

[minx boy]

thats awesome oldschhol, thanks for the help. Yeah I found that using just wood is the best, dont even worry bout charcoal. lol but my mom just picked me up a 20 pound bag of mesquite charcoal lumps so I cant let that go to waste lol