What Kind of Wood Chips to Use in An Electric Smoker

This article has links to products that we may make commission from.

Whether you’re hosting a backyard celebration or just casual gathering with friends, the smoked meat you make on your electric smoker will be the star of the show.

If you’ve ever smoked meats before, then you know that the kind of wood chips you use in your electric smoker can make a massive difference, not just to the flavor of the meat but to the efficiency of your smoke.

wood chips for smoking

Not only will the right wood chips add depth of flavor and create a juicier finished product, they will also burn slower and more efficiently. If done correctly, your electric smoker won’t need frequent refills throughout the smoking process and you won’t burn through more chips than is necessary.

In this article, we’ll take a look at what kind of wood chips to use in an electric smoker and how they can help create some juicy and delicious results every time.

Our Recommended Electric Smoker

30-inch Digital Electric Smoker, Black

Masterbuilt 30-inch Digital Electric Smoker

  • 711 sq. in. of smoking space
  • Four chrome-coated smoking racks
  • Temperature control for even, consistent smoking, up to 275 degrees F
  • Electric, corded smoker that uses wood chips

» You might also like Electric Smokers vs Pellet Smokers: An In-Depth Comparison.

Why is Wood Chip Selection Important?

When it comes to cooking with an electric smoker, choosing the right wood chips can make all the difference! Not only will the proper wood chip selection provide a unique flavor for your meat, but it will also ensure that your electric smoker runs at maximum efficiency.

Knowing what kinds of wood chips to use and how much to use is crucial for creating a wonderfully tasty dish with your electric smoker.

What Kind of Wood Chips Are Available

When it comes to using wood chips in an electric smoker, there are a wide variety of types to choose from. You can find different varieties at your local barbecue store or on the internet. I buy a lot of my wood chips on Amazon because of the fast and free shipping. No need to lug home a heavy bag of chips.

Ultimately, the choice boils down to personal preference – so try out each flavor to discover which suits you best. I’ve probably tried 2-3 dozen different types and combinations and I’ve chosen about 4 that I use again and again.

Mr. Bar-B-Q Smoker Wood Chips Bundle of 3 Flavors - Apple, Mesquite, and Hickory Wood Chips for Smokers | Smoke Wood Chips for Grilling, Cooking, and Camping (3 x 1.6 Pound Bags)
Mr. Bar-B-Q 05011Z Wood Smoker Chips (Hickory) | Smoky & Fruity Flavor | Made from 100% Hardwood | All Natural Hickory Wood Chips | 1.6 Pound Bag 179 Cu. In | Works with Smokers, Gas & Electric Grills

Hickory

Hickory is one of the most popular hardwoods for smoking, as it has a strong, sweet, and savory flavor that pairs well with a wide range of meats.

» See on Amazon

Fire & Flavor Premium All Natural Wood Chips for Smoker - Wood Chips for Smoking - Smoker Wood Chips - Smoker Accessories Gifts for Men and Women - Mesquite - 2lbs

Mesquite

Mesquite is another popular hardwood for smoking, known for its bold and earthy flavor. It is especially well-suited for beef and other red meats.

» See on Amazon

Oklahoma Joe's Apple Wood Smoker Chips, 2-Pound Bag

Apple

Apple wood chips have a mild, sweet, and fruity flavor that is well-suited for pork, chicken, and fish.

» See on Amazon

Oklahoma Joe's Cherry Wood Smoker Chips, 1 pack

Cherry

Cherry wood chips have a mild and slightly sweet flavor that is similar to apple, but with a slightly more robust and fruity taste.

» See on Amazon

Camerons Products Alder Wood Smoker Chips ~ (2lb. Coarse), 260 cu. in. - 100% All Natural, Coarse Wood Smoking and Barbecue Chips, Packaging May Vary

Alder

Alder wood chips have a mild and slightly sweet flavor that is well-suited for fish and other seafood, as well as poultry and pork.

» See on Amazon

Camerons All Natural Oak Wood Chips for Smoker - 260 Cu. in. Bag, Approx 2 Pounds - Kiln Dried Coarse Cut BBQ Grill Wood Chips for Smoking Meats - Barbecue Smoker Accessories - Grilling Gifts for Men

Oak

Oak wood chips have a strong and smoky flavor that is well-suited for beef, pork, and game meats.

» See on Amazon

Weber Pecan Wood Chips, for Grilling and Smoking, 2 lb.

Pecan

Pecan wood chips have a mild and nutty flavor that is well-suited for poultry, pork, and beef.

» See on Amazon

These are just a few examples of the many types of hardwood chips that can be used in an electric smoker. Experimenting with different woods can help you discover new flavor combinations and enhance the taste of your smoked meats and other dishes.

Tips For Choosing

I know, it can be overwhelming choosing the right wood chips, especially if you’re just getting started. I can only say that you need to try them all so you can make a decision based on your personal preference. However, there are a few general guidelines I like to follow that might help.

  • Hickory and mesquite are two common options that can add a good depth of flavor to beef, pork, and poultry.
  • Pecan and applewood give a milder flavor that is great for tuna and salmon, and also can be good for longer smokes, like brisket and pulled pork.
  • As a general rule of thumb, you’ll want to use hardwoods such as hickory, mesquite and oak, in order to provide the strongest smoke flavor.
  • Softwoods such as cedar are not recommended because they don’t last long and create too much of an acrid smoke.
side wood chip loader
Side Wood Chip Loader

How Much You’ll Need

You’ll need to plan ahead for how much wood chips you need for your smoking project in order to get adequate flavor. You definitely don’t want to run out of chips halfway through your smoking and have to run out to get more.

The amount of wood chips you need to smoke a particular food, like a brisket, in an electric smoker will depend on several factors, including the size of your smoker, the type of wood chips you’re using, and how long you plan to smoke it.

As a general rule of thumb, you’ll need about 2-3 cups of wood chips for every 4-6 hours of smoking time. For a brisket, which takes around 8-12 hours to smoke, you’ll likely need around 4-6 cups of wood chips.

smoker

It’s important to note that you don’t need to continuously add wood chips throughout the entire smoking process. In fact, adding too many wood chips can cause the smoke to become too strong and overpower the flavor of the meat.

Instead, you can add a handful of wood chips every 45 minutes to an hour during the first few hours of smoking, and then let the meat cook for the remaining time without adding any additional chips. This will help to infuse the meat with a subtle smoke flavor without overwhelming it with smoke.

As you gain more experience smoking on your electric smoker, you may find that you prefer a stronger or more subtle smoke flavor, and can adjust the amount of wood chips accordingly.

Ultimately, the amount of wood chips you use will depend on your personal preferences and the type of smoking experience you’re looking for.

How to Get The Best Fuel Efficiency

To get the most fuel efficiency out of wood chips on an electric smoker, follow these tips:

  • Preheat your smoker: Preheating your smoker will ensure that the wood chips start smoking immediately when you add them, which will help reduce the amount of time and fuel required to smoke your food.
  • Soak your wood chips: Soaking your wood chips in water for at least 30 minutes before use will help them burn more slowly and evenly, which will maximize their fuel efficiency. However, be sure to drain excess water before adding the chips to your smoker. See the section below about soaking wood chips before proceeding.
  • Use small wood chips: Using small wood chips will help them burn more efficiently and reduce the amount of fuel required to smoke your food. Larger chips tend to burn slower and produce more ash, which can reduce the efficiency of your smoker.
  • Use a smoker box: Using a smoker box can help contain the wood chips and prevent them from burning too quickly, which can reduce their fuel efficiency. A smoker box also helps distribute the smoke evenly throughout the smoker, which can improve the flavor of your food.
  • Don’t overfill the smoker: Overfilling the smoker with wood chips can reduce their fuel efficiency and lead to excessive smoke, which can make your food taste bitter. Use only the amount of wood chips recommended by the manufacturer of your smoker.
  • Monitor the temperature: Monitoring the temperature of your smoker can help you adjust the fuel consumption as needed. If the temperature is too high, you may be burning through your wood chips too quickly, while a low temperature may indicate that you need to add more fuel.
electric smoker
Electric Smoker

How to Properly Prepare Wood Chips For Smoking

After picking your preferred flavor wood chip, the next step is properly preparing them for your electric smoker.

Do you need to smoke the wood chips before smoking?

Soaking wood chips for an electric smoker is not strictly necessary, but it can be helpful. Soaking the wood chips can help them to burn more slowly and produce more smoke, which can enhance the flavor of your food.

However, be aware that some electric smoker manufacturers may recommend against soaking the chips, as they can take longer to dry out and start producing smoke once they are added to the smoker.

If you do choose to soak your wood chips, it’s important to drain off any excess water before adding them to the smoker, as too much moisture can cause them to produce steam instead of smoke.

Ultimately, whether or not to soak your wood chips for an electric smoker is a matter of personal preference and experimentation, so feel free to try both methods and see which works best for you.

wood chips for smoking
pellets

Difference Between Wood Chips & Pellets

If you have an electric smoker, you likely already know the difference between wood chips and pellets, but if you’re still trying to decide which type of smoker you want, you might be wondering about this.

Wood chips for an electric smoker and pellets for a pellet smoker differ in several ways:

  1. Size and shape: Wood chips for an electric smoker are typically larger and irregularly shaped, while pellets for a pellet smoker are smaller and uniformly shaped.
  2. Composition: Wood chips are made from small pieces of hardwood that have been cut or chipped, while pellets are made from compressed sawdust or other wood waste materials.
  3. Burn time: Wood chips burn faster than pellets, so they need to be replenished more frequently. Pellets, on the other hand, can burn for several hours without needing to be refilled.
  4. Smoke flavor: Wood chips produce a more intense smoke flavor than pellets, as they burn more quickly and produce more smoke. Pellets produce a more subtle smoke flavor, as they burn more slowly and produce less smoke.
  5. Storage: Wood chips are typically sold in bags and need to be stored in a cool, dry place to prevent them from becoming moldy or rotting. Pellets are sold in bags or in bulk and can be stored in airtight containers without needing to worry about spoilage.

You do need to be sure you get the right kind of fuel for the type of smoker you have, and you can’t use them interchangeably.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there is no one single type of wood chips that is guaranteed to be the best for your electric smoker. You must consider the type and flavor of the meat you are smoking, as well as how hot and long you need warmth for it to be cooked.

Certain types of wood chips will work better for certain recipes, tastes, or needs. With a little experimentation and research, you can confidently select the best wood chips for your electric smoker which will result in delicious results.

Regardless of what type of wood chips you choose to use, just remember that proper prepping and maintenance will help ensure your journey with an electric smoker is enjoyable and stress-free!

Like this post? We’d love for you to share it on your Pinterest board! Click to follow our Pinterest boards so you can find all our recipes! 

Instagram it! If you try this recipe please tag #legendsofthegrill on Instagram or Twitter. We love to see your photos of our recipes! Also follow us on Facebook to keep up on what we’re cooking up.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *