When smoking with wood?

[dexter]

I am trying to find out the basics for smoking meat with wood. Do I light all the wood first and let it burn off. I have pretty much used charcoal for all of my bar-b-cue. I want to try some with wood for the 4th. I really need to know how to start it off. This is a first for me. Thanks!!

 

[lucc]

What type of smoker do you have?

 

[wanbli]

Greetings Dexter, What kind of rig are you going to smoke in , and what are you cooking ? I have a small off-set Brinkmann and a verticle smoker that I use charcoal to bring up to temp then I put wood on top of it to smoke and take over the heating as well. I don't want a big fire in either one. Depends on what you're cooking as to how much heat you want from your fire. The main forums page has sections on different kinds of smokers ( gas, wood or charcoal ) and also different meats. Good luck and be safe on the 4th. Peace, Wanbli

 

[dexter]

I am using a char broiler (off set fire box) I am going to be smoking chicken and links. Thanks for the responses.

 

[harrylips]

Hi Dexter. I typically use charcoal in my offset and throw a few 3-4 unlit chunks on the coal and replenish every few hours as needed. Works great for me and gives my meat awesome flavor and a kick s$$ smoke ring.

Good luck!

 

[ibsmoking]

Hello Dexter, welcome!!

Remember you want thin blue smoke, not white billowing smoke, if you can smell it your smoking.

 

[kingudaroad]

Get a nice hot bed of charcoal going and you can put small pieces of wood right on top.

 

[rickw]

Fire Management . This thread helped me a bunch when I first got my Horizon off set.

 

[oldschoolbbq]

regardless of the type of cooker you hve, you need to pre-burn some to embers first. Do this in a chimney or another grill, but go till they are all glowing; then keep a few (if you have chunks)splits(with a machete or chisel or so)on top of the firebox or next ti the heat source and when heat starts tg o drop 5to10*F , add a piece or two. you'll use a bit more,but the differencd id worht it.IMHO...;}-