Do you soak your wood chips?

GBC · February 3

Do you soak your wood chips before you grill with them and if so for how long?

gerhardk · February 3

No. Gerhard

brianwdmn · February 3

Never. It is absolutely not necessary.

AleBrewer · February 3

Nope....as the others guys already said, its not needed, and just wastes time.

hornhonk · February 3

No, nae, never!

berndcrisp · February 3

No! Soaking chips or chunks delutes the woods flavor. This is apparent by the coloration of the water.

Alton · February 3

Nope

SmokinDAWG82 · February 3

No, don't need the steam

Mickey · February 3

Not at all.

freduc2 · February 3

Nope. I use pellets, but never did with chips or chunks either.

DMurf · February 3

Used to then I took the advise from the forum and stopped will not go back...

MrCookingNurse · February 3

No. See a pattern :-?

freduc2 · February 4

Chacahoula_Tiger said:

Nope. I use pellets, but never did with chips or chunks either.
How do you use pellets? Throw them on the lump?

Mix them up with the lump before lighting. Then if I open the lid for any reason I throw a handful in.

Skiddymarker · February 4

Mix, stirred not shaken - just the opposite of 007's Martini.... and never soaked.

J_Que · February 4

Never.

scaryangel · February 4

Never

RLeeper · February 4

Based on the number of responses and the enthusiasm I am sure I am setting myself up it here it goes.... I soak my chips for half how to an hour before throwing them on because I was under the impression that the chips burn more slowly when soaked.....

AleBrewer · February 4

Common misconception

Tjcoley · February 4

Wet wood will give you steam until dry, then smoke. No need to soak.

RLeeper · February 4

I know I don't but does anyone have any scientific basis for confirming or denying this?

Fred19Flintstone · February 4

I'm also in the no soak camp. @RLeeper Your reluctance to take the advice of forum members at face value because it conflicts with your method (unless somebody can produce scientific confirmation) is silly. When twenty people tell you it's raining, you don't need to confirm it. Look for an umbrella instead.

RLeeper · February 4

It's not about my method and I'm not saying I don't take the advice of forum members. I simply asked a question about scientific basis versus opinion. My entire life is science as well as my career. No need for attacking because I posed a question @Fred19Flinstone.

MrCookingNurse · February 4

Yes @RLeeper there is scientific evidence. That is why no one does it. I'll find it real quick. Hold on.

MrCookingNurse · February 4

@RLeeper
It is a good point that everyone said no, but here is your science. There is more out there. Man, where's stike when you need him.

http://amazingribs.com/tips_and_technique/mythbusting_soaking_wood.html

Tjcoley said:
Wet wood will give you steam until dry, then smoke. No need to soak.

Chacahoula_Tiger said:
Actually, water does not penetrate wood very much anyway.

These are truths.

Charlie tuna · February 4

I use chunk, not chips, but i always soak them first, ALWAYS..

MrCookingNurse · February 4

Charlie tuna said:
I use chunk, not chips, but i always soak them first, ALWAYS..

Sarcasm?? Not sure. I use chunks as well sir. Uh oh. We've started another debate. Chunks or chips¿¿ is the world flat?

Eggcelsior · February 4

I don't know if it's sarcasm. I posted a video in another thread to him showing how soaking is ALWAYS pointless as it only soaks in a couple millimeters.

gerhardk · February 4

If it makes you happy to soak your wood I applaud you but I haven't done it for a year and get as good or better smoke flavor than I got when I did soak.

Fred19Flintstone · February 4

RLeeper said:
It's not about my method and I'm not saying I don't take the advice of forum members. I simply asked a question about scientific basis versus opinion. My entire life is science as well as my career. No need for attacking because I posed a question @Fred19Flinstone.

Saying you are being silly is attacking? Are we so wussified that its come to that?

Skiddymarker · February 4

Soaking is a required step in a smoker box when using the far from restricted air flow of a gas grill or Weber Kettle vs the more moisture retaining interior of a kamado, like the BGE.

I always soaked in my gasser to keep all of the chips/chunks from going off at once, I'd mix some overnight soakers with some dry fresh out of the bag.

Fact is in the BGE, soaking is not needed, but if you like to do it, do it. Steaming is good and is a recognized method of cooking. Much like adding liquid to a drip pan, soaking is just not needed.

bodski · February 4

I did for years, until I heard that its unnecessary on this forum. I was skeptical at first to go dry, but now I do nearly all the time. Occasionally, on a longer cook, I'll soak a small portion to delay their smoking.

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Do you soak your wood chips?

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