First Butt Question - Smoke chips

mb99zz

Hi Guys,

Doing my first butt today and first real cook on a LBGE.  I have Western brand Apple and Miesquite chips.  I am thinking of using just the apple chips today.  Here are my questions for the eggsperts:

1).  For a 8lbs butt how many chips would you use to give it enough smoke flavor but not too much?  

2).  Given my two types (Apple and Mesquite) would you recommend just the apple or mixing the two? 

3).  Do you recommend having the smoke chips on the first part of the cook only (e.g. the first few hours)? 

Thanks!

SteveWPBFL

Just the apple mixed in to smoke throughout the cook.

Badong

Just mix in a bunch of chips with the lump when you set up the egg.  You''ll want to experiment with different types of wood to decide what flavor you want.  If you want smoke for the whole cook, which I recommend, you should use wood chunks and not just chips.

henapple

Mesquite is, IMO pretty strong for pork but to each his own. +1 on the just mix in some chips. Most use chunks. Good luck, don't sweat it and have fun.

U_tarded

Here is a good chart on wood flavors I snagged off this forum. Great descriptions of flavors, and pairings of wood to meat. Some or a little skewed IMHO but its a good guideline none the less. Remember also 1fist full of chips=1 fist sized chunk. They all burn at the same rate in a controlled air environment (the egg)

http://www.deejayssmokepit.net/Downloads_files/SmokingFlavorChart.pdf

lousubcap

+1 with apple and I would use around 3-4 handfuls of chips mixed throughout the lump load.  Where there's fire there's smoke.  And as mentioned above-there are no right or wrong answers-just experiment and find out what works for you.  Enjoy the journey-

mb99zz

Thanks all!!!!!!   And thanks, U_t for the link!

cortguitarman

I'd go with the Apple. I also recommend doing pork butts with cherry. I used cherry for the first time a few weeks ago and it was my favorite flavor profile so far.

BizGreenEgg

When mixing chips in with the lump, do you soak them first or are you putting them in dry?

nolaegghead

BizGreenEgg said:

When mixing chips in with the lump, do you soak them first or are you putting them in dry?

dry