Author Topic: How much wood do you add to charcoal?  (Read 2131 times)

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Offline SteelerFanInTexas

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How much wood do you add to charcoal?
« Reply #-1 on: January 14, 2018, 09:52:11 AM »
I'm still in the learning/experimenting phase.  I've been using various types of wood chips, but have to admit that I don't taste much flavor that I can attribute directly to the type of wood being used.  I've been using somewhere between a cup and two cups of wood chips, and I'm wondering if I should up that.  And, if so, by how much?

I know I can experiment...and I will.  But I don't want to add too much and kill my ribs this evening.  So I'm just curious how much other people use.

Thanks,
Chris

Offline teesquare

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Re: How much wood do you add to charcoal?
« on: January 14, 2018, 09:58:54 AM »
What you are seeking is really a "personal taste" issue...but - for me...I like a high quality lump charcoal to start with. Then - occasionally - I will add 1 fist size chunk of preferably pecan, or cherry - or both if I have it.

I do not find that chips or pellets do what we want when cooking with charcoal. They burn too quickly. And they can produce that ugly white smoke that produces an acrid, creosote like flavor that nobody likes....
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Offline SteelerFanInTexas

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Re: How much wood do you add to charcoal?
« Reply #1 on: January 14, 2018, 10:12:11 AM »
Thanks teesquare.  Do you soak the wood chunk(s) or just put them in dry?

Offline Pappymn

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How much wood do you add to charcoal?
« Reply #2 on: January 14, 2018, 10:32:13 AM »
Thanks teesquare.  Do you soak the wood chunk(s) or just put them in dry?
No soaking. And if you can swing it, don't buy the wood chunks sold in bags in big box stores. Usually old and dry. I buy mine from fruitawood.com. great quality


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Offline teesquare

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Re: How much wood do you add to charcoal?
« Reply #3 on: January 14, 2018, 11:30:17 AM »
I only use dry wood...when you soak wood...the fire has to expend more BTUs to evaporate the water - before it can begin to smoke.
So what you get from wet wood is stinky "wet wood steam"...then it smokes. No added benefit from wetting wood - other than it taking more time to get the smoke you want....  ;D
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Offline smokeasaurus

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Re: How much wood do you add to charcoal?
« Reply #4 on: January 14, 2018, 12:16:08 PM »
I do not add wood to my PBC. If I did, I would use good quality chunks...no more than two and try to set them in the charcoal basket where the food will not be hanging directly over them. The drippings would hinder the burn and cause the chunks to smolder.....you do not want wood to smolder....you get dirty smoke.

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Offline psousa781

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How much wood do you add to charcoal?
« Reply #5 on: January 14, 2018, 04:22:51 PM »
I use one or two chunks depending on how long of a cook it’ll be.  I’ve used hickory and apple so far.  Hickory gives a stronger straightforward smoke flavor whereas apple has a more distinct flavor (you should definitely notice it).


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Offline viscera912

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Re: How much wood do you add to charcoal?
« Reply #6 on: January 16, 2018, 05:50:53 PM »
for longer cooks i use 2-3 chunk and i place mine bottom of the basket

i used to do chips but like as mentioned above they burn out quickly

Offline 1Bigg_ER

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Re: How much wood do you add to charcoal?
« Reply #7 on: January 16, 2018, 06:04:01 PM »
You really don't need additional wood in the PBC.
The rare times that I did, I buried a chunk or 2 in the coals.
I found that if I just tossed it on top of the burning coals, the wood didn't do much but catch fire.
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Offline Pit Barrel Cooker Co.

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Re: How much wood do you add to charcoal?
« Reply #8 on: February 07, 2018, 03:07:11 PM »
We recommend a handful of wood chips be added to the charcoal right before the food goes into the Pit Barrel Cooker and there is no need to soak the wood chips. We don't recommend wood chunks as chunks increase barrel temperatures. If you do use wood chunks, just be mindful that the cook will be hotter and faster and results will vary. Please contact our office anytime with questions or concerns at 502.228.1222.