Doing a chicken tonight, when to add wood chunks?

derka123

Doing a fast spatchcock raised direct at 400 tonight. I plan on placing one small chunk of cherry wood in with my lump. Do you guys normally place the wood chunk near the area you light the lump before letting the temp stabilize, or do you get your temps stable first then add the wood? or should I get it stable, add the wood, then wait a while before adding the meat?

cookingdude555

To me, spatchcock equals a higher heat cook, around 350-450 depending on who you are. I would put the chunk on the lit lump just before adding your bird. 

pgprescott

I Would Not add it, but it would have to be close enough to the lit coal to smolder. 

ColtsFan

Chicken picks up smoke well. If it were me, I would add it when I lit the egg. I would want most of it to be burnt up by the time the chicken went on.

Just a kiss of smoke is best when it comes to chicken... For me anyway 

shtgunal3

I’m with @cookingdude555 I add it to the lit lump just before adding the chick.

derka123

thanks guys, i think I'll add right before i put the chicken on. and i'll do a small handful of chips rather than a chunk

shtgunal3

I’d stay with the chunk