Should You Soak Wood Chips Before Smoking. In theory, the idea is to prevent premature combustion of the wood chips and to encourage the chips to produce smoke. You might have heard that you should soak your wood chips for at least 30 minutes before you put them on your smoker.
The only reason you should consider soaking wood chips, is if you’re wanting to infuse a flavor in a liquid into the wood chips themselves, such as using whiskey or bourbon. In theory, the idea is to prevent premature combustion of the wood chips and to encourage the chips to produce smoke. For example, if you’re using hickory, one of the best woods for smoking ribs , you could infuse whiskey before use to add a depth in flavor to the smoke, which imparts on the ribs.
The Only Reason You Should Consider Soaking Wood Chips, Is If You’re Wanting To Infuse A Flavor In A Liquid Into The Wood Chips Themselves, Such As Using Whiskey Or Bourbon.
For example, if you’re using hickory, one of the best woods for smoking ribs , you could infuse whiskey before use to add a depth in flavor to the smoke, which imparts on the ribs. In theory, the idea is to prevent premature combustion of the wood chips and to encourage the chips to produce smoke. You might have heard that you should soak your wood chips for at least 30 minutes before you put them on your smoker.