When you start BBQing with smoking wood, it sometimes feels like you've suddenly started a new education. Chunks, chips, long cook, airflow... and you stand there with your tongs as if you have to take an exam. But it's not that bad at all. You just need to know the difference between smoking chunks and wood chips and when to use which.
And believe me, afterwards you'll think: oh... that was it?
What exactly are wood chips?
Wood chips are simply small pieces of wood that produce smoke super quickly. They are the fast movers of the bunch. You throw them on and within a few seconds, your whole garden smells like you're by a campfire somewhere in the Alps.
You mainly use chips when:
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Your dish is ready within an hour
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You have a gas BBQ
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You want a light, quick smoky flavor
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You want to quickly upgrade your food
Think of salmon, chicken breast, vegetable skewers.
Just a handful of chips and boom... your dish tastes like you put three hours of work into it. While you were just casually waiting with a drink.
And smoking chunks?
Chunks are the larger blocks. They burn long, quietly, and give a deep, stable smoky flavor. They are like the slow cookers among smoking wood. No rush, no stress, just hours of flavor release.
You mainly use chunks for:
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Pulled pork
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Spare ribs
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Brisket
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Whole chicken
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Large cuts of meat
If you have a dish that stays on your BBQ for longer than an hour, you definitely want to use chunks.
Chips would have long disappeared by then... probably even before you opened your beer.
The easiest rule ever
Here it is:
Chips for short.
Chunks for long.
That's all you really need to remember.
Seriously. This is the entire theory.
But does it taste different?
Chips give a quick burst of flavor.
Chunks go for more depth.
But the real flavor enhancer is, of course, the type of wood itself.
Click here for our flavor guide.
To be fair: you just need both
Most BBQers eventually end up with both types of smoking wood at home.
Chips for weekdays, chunks for the weekend.
Just like sportswear. You have something for quick and something for long.
Fortunately, you never have to wash smoking wood.
Want to discover what suits you?
Click here and view all our types, test them, and you'll immediately know what makes your BBQ happy.