Soaking wood chips with tea bags

stcin · March 2013

I recently read two recipes calling for tea bags to be added with wood chips/chunks when soaking. I have two questions: First, does anyone know why tea bags would be a good idea? Second, opinions seem to vary on whether to soak or not to soak the wood chips/chunks. What do you think - Is tea a good idea? And, is soaking a good /bad or indifferent thing to do when cooking low and slow?

ChokeOnSmoke · March 2013

Soaking wood accomplishes nothing. Water will only penetrate the very outside of the wood and as soon as it hits the hot lump it evaporates in a few seconds and you're right back where you were before you soaked it. Just toss the chunks/chip on or in the lump. With the lid down, the wood will smolder, not light on fire.