One of the most frequently asked questions by BBQ beginners is how much smoking wood you actually need. Too little smoking wood gives little flavor, but too much smoke can cause a bitter taste.
Fortunately, using smoking wood is quite simple once you know the basic rules.
How many wood chips to use?
Wood chips produce smoke quickly. Therefore, you usually only need a small amount.
For most BBQ sessions, one handful of wood chips is enough to create a nice smoky flavor.
Are you using a smoker box or smoke tube? Partially fill it with chips so they can smolder slowly.
Also check out our wood chip collection if you want to try different types of wood.
How many smoke chunks to use?
Smoke chunks are larger and produce smoke for longer. Therefore, you usually need fewer of them.
For most BBQ sessions, 1 to 2 smoke chunks are sufficient.
Place the chunks between the glowing coals so they slowly begin to smolder. During longer BBQ sessions, you can add another chunk later if necessary.
You can read more about this on our smoke chunk collection page.
Avoiding too much smoke
Many beginner BBQ enthusiasts think that more smoke automatically means more flavor. In reality, too much smoke can actually give a bitter taste.
Good smoke development is often characterized by thin, light blue smoke. This means the wood is smoldering well and producing clean smoke.
Experimenting with smoking wood
Every BBQ and every type of wood works a little differently. Therefore, it's smart to experiment with different types of wood and quantities.
Fruity woods like apple or cherry, for example, give a milder smoke than more powerful woods like hickory.
Do you want to discover different flavors? Then also check out our smoking wood sample packs.
Conclusion
For most BBQ sessions, a simple guideline applies:
-
approximately 1 handful of wood chips
-
1 to 2 smoke chunks
By starting with small amounts, you can easily control the smoky flavor and prevent your dish from becoming too smoky.