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  • Soaking wood chips

    OK I see the cooking shows and they all soak their wood chips. How many of you smokers soak your chips? I never have. Should I be soaking? If so can I use wine to soak or is that a waste of wine. Thanks for the help.
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  • #2
    I used to soak mine for the vault but all they really did was produce some steam before they start to smolder. I have since stopped that. If the chips are burning up too fast I either adjust air flow or switch to chunks.

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    • #3
      As an MES Wattburner, I don't soak chips & also no water in the pan. It doesn't work.

      However when I used to (6 years ago), whether it was Water, Wine, Beer, or Apple Juice made no difference.


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      • #4
        If you're burning/smoldering wood chips for smoke it kinda defeats the purpose to add water to the mix. The chips won't rise above the boiling point of water to smolder. All the energy gets used up in the evaporation process until the water is gone before as rise in temp happens.

        I've never understood that soaking concept since this is basic science stuff regarding phase change that was taught in high school.
        Bored Guy Blog

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        • #5
          Never understood the soaking concept. No. Not necessary. Make real smoke, not steam. Burning wet wood is not conducive to a good flow of quality smoke.


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          • #6
            I soak mine -- in air.

            Originally posted by frog1369 View Post
            If the chips are burning up too fast I either adjust air flow or switch to chunks.
            Excellent advice right there.

            Dave
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            • #7
              I switched to chucks years ago.

              However during the transition process i did wrap my chips in foil and puncture holes to control the rate of smoke.
              Island of Misfit Smokers Member #92

              How to heal the world. Love people and feed them tasty food.

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              • #8
                Soaking them helps control Burn Speed. They will burn slower as the thicker part of the wood dries out slower than the thinner portions so it smokes longer

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                • #9
                  Originally posted by norman_brown View Post
                  Soaking them helps control Burn Speed. They will burn slower as the thicker part of the wood dries out slower than the thinner portions so it smokes longer
                  It helps them steam longer. It’s at best a poor solution to the problem of not being able to limit airflow and combustion properly. The excess moisture can also cause creosote formation and deposits.
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                  • #10
                    Originally posted by norman_brown View Post
                    Soaking them helps control Burn Speed. They will burn slower as the thicker part of the wood dries out slower than the thinner portions so it smokes longer
                    Best way to control the "burn speed" is to adjust the proximity of the chips/chunks to the heat source if possible. Essentially you are adjusting the temperature being applied to the wood.

                    Soaking doesn't make them smoke longer. It just takes longer for them to dry out first so that they can start smoking.
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                    • #11
                      The thinner parts of the wood dry quicker than the thick part. The thinner Parts burn and produce smoke as the thicker Parts continue to dry dry which extends the length of time that it burns.

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                      • #12
                        Originally posted by Richtee View Post
                        It helps them steam longer. It’s at best a poor solution to the problem of not being able to limit airflow and combustion properly. The excess moisture can also cause creosote formation and deposits.
                        I wish there was a like function on this board as this post would be getting several.
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                        • #13
                          NEVER soak your wood!!! This is cooking related guys.
                          Rich nailed it. Creosote formation... Nasties. Ya' gotta learn air flow. Period.


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                          • #14
                            Originally posted by HawgHeaven View Post
                            NEVER soak your wood!!! This is cooking related guys.
                            Rich nailed it. Creosote formation... Nasties. Ya' gotta learn air flow. Period.
                            Unless you have some cheap azz bourbon you need to get rid of...
                            Besides, nobody likes flaccid wood...
                            .

                            Not to mention the occasional campfire

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                            • #15
                              Originally posted by THE ICEMAN View Post
                              Unless you have some cheap azz bourbon you need to get rid of...
                              Besides, nobody likes flaccid wood...
                              Can you use flaccid and wood in the same sentence?


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