can I use charcoal or wood chips to increase flavor? If so where do I put them?
1317176
It is my understanding that wood chips cannot be used with an electric grill.
1773932
I soak the wood chips ahead of time and then put some directly on the hot coals. The char baskets go on each side of the drip pan. What ever you are smoking goes directly over the drip pan.
1673655
Sorry for the late response but they will add a small amount of flavor, if you really want more smoke then check out a smoke daddy or what I actually prefer the AMNTS it is EXTREMELY easy to use and much cheaper and you don't have to modify your grill in any way. Check out the AMNTS and that will give you all of the smoke flavor that you truly seek! I can tell you that it will be hard to tell if it came from an offset smoker or a pellet grill, the flavor will be amazing!!!!
869222
Yes you can use charcoal. We used a combo of a few briquettes and a few small pieces of hickory or Apple wood.
1953878
don't soak them in anything, the heating element doesn't get hot enough to dry them and allow them to smoke. i've read the bag of smoking chips (as char broil doesn't give any instructions on smoking) it suggested and it worked much better for me to get the unit ready to go, add dry chips to pan, set heat to high to bring unit to heat up and then, after chips start to smoke, lower the temp to your setting. type of chip depends on amount of smoking you like along with the type of meat. fruit woods (apple, cherry etc.) are better for lighter smoking. hickory ,mesquite are a stronger smoke flavor used for ribs, brisket, pulled pork. don't soak them in anything, the heating element doesn't get hot enough to dry them and allow them to smoke. i've read the bag of smoking chips (as char broil doesn't give any instructions on smoking) it suggested and it worked much better for me to get the unit ready to go, add dry chips to pan, set heat to high to bring unit to heat up and then, after chips start to smoke, lower the temp to your setting. type of chip depends on amount of smoking you like along with the type of meat. fruit woods (apple, cherry etc.) are better for lighter smoking. hickory ,mesquite are a stronger smoke... » Read More don't soak them in anything, the heating element doesn't get hot enough to dry them and allow them to smoke. i've read the bag of smoking chips (as char broil doesn't give any instructions on smoking) it suggested and it worked much better for me to get the unit ready to go, add dry chips to pan, set heat to high to bring unit to heat up and then, after chips start to smoke, lower the temp to your setting. type of chip depends on amount of smoking you like along with the type of meat. fruit woods (apple, cherry etc.) are better for lighter smoking. hickory ,mesquite are a stronger smoke flavor used for ribs, brisket, pulled pork. « Show Less
99606
You don't need wood chips. The flavor is in your seasoning. Smoke is an option.
1919367
No. Wood-based chips would give you a smoky flavor. Charcoal-based briquettes could give you an odor. But this is ceramic material and it is neutral in terms of emitting any odor or flavor whatsoever. It's main purpose is to more evenly distribute heat and mitigate flame flareups.
1677466
You can use any kind of charcoal you want. I use the cheapest stuff they sell with lighter fluid because the fumes never touch the meat.
1613042
Their website answers a similar question thus: Q: Can I add wood chips for flavor? A: Absolutely, even though people are blown away by the results of only using Kingsford Original you can add wood chips/smoke blocks to add additional smoke. Q: Do I have to use Kingsford Briquets? A: For the best results and to have all the guess work taken out we recommend Kingsford Original Briquets (blue & white bag). We advise against using Matchlight Briquets reason being that you want the briquets to slowly burn from the top to the bottom. Q: Can I use lump charcoal or other brands of charcoal in the PBC? A: To achieve consistent and outstanding results every time we recommend using Kingsford Original (blue & white bag), lump charcoal will burn much hotter and cook times will vary.
1170111
Charcoal will NEVER overpower the flavor of wood. Charcoal in an offset smoker is simply there to apply heat. All the flavor that comes through an offset smoker is the smoke from the wood. Charcoal does not smoke after the initial burn. It just creates lots of heat. The heat and the smoke from the wood are carried in to the meat chamber. Hence, thanks to our good friend physics, all you are left with is delicious smoke flavored deliciousness.
379334
no it does not have the charbroil taste, because like you said, there isn't charcoal being used. you do, on the other hand, get the charbroil look with nice criss cross patterning.
232601
I use a few large pieces (6-8) of wood chunks, such as hickory, mesquite, cherry, or apple mixed in with the charcoal (Kingsford). The more wood mixed with the briquettes the deeper the smoked-in flavor becomes. Wood is for flavor and the charcoal is for sustaining heat, so you don't want to overdue the wood, but don't use wood chips as it burns off too fast, with the chucks you don't need to add more. Good luck and enjoy your Pit Barrel Cooker. Jerry Z.
1771386
I didn't use any fire rope on mine. Sure, I had some smoke leakage around the doors, but it's not enough for me to worry over. I also think you only need to use wood chips for the first 2-3 hours to get the flavor. If you pour on the chips for 6-8 hours, I think it gets too smoky. Once you have the initial burn on the chips, the amount of smoke produced by the embers is minimal.
1919366
The bricks are ceramic ......so I would say there is no flavor enhancement like you would get cooking over a wood fire. However, when you lay out the bricks evenly, it made for a more even spreading out of the heat......like them a lot and would highly recommend.
983900
Yes, we have used hardwood lump charcoal and have added soaked hardwood for smoking, both with excellent results.
2008252
Absolutely! Use like a regular BBQ. Smoke depends on fuel you use. I use mesquite chips for extra flavor! Enjoy!
2013533
Put your wood chips in the box and rest the box on the burner plate under the grate. It helps to let the grille get hot longer to heat up wood chips so the flavor comes out more.