Soaking cherry woodchips?

[Jackomo]

I'm about to start my first smoke this morning (BRITU). I don't have cherry chunks, but so have chips. How much should I use? Should I soak them first?

Thanks for the expertise!

 

[Jim Pye]

I would soak them. Some say that soaking chunks doesnt make a difference, but with chips for them to last even for a little while, they would need to be damp. IMO.

 

[Kevin Taylor]

I agree with Jim...soak chips, not chunks. You will need to use several batches of chips. Throw one batch in and wait for them to burn, then throw another batch in. You can monitor their progress by peeking in the fire door....10 seconds of peeking won't hurt you.

You only need to do this for the first hour or so.

 

[Jackomo]

So you put the chips right on the coals (no foil)? I have soaked about 1 1/3 cups of chips, not really knowing how much I will need.

One thing I was wondering: if you do put them in foil, do you have to take them out, or leave them on for the whole cook?

Thanks guys!

 

[Tony Weisse]

When using chips I usually make foil "logs" out of them. Poke a couple holes in (not too many) and away you go.

However, don't know how this would work with the standard BRITU recipe that calls for some degree of pre-burning.