Pellet smokers work a lot differently than electric smokers and the process is a bit complicated too.
Electric smoker wood chips vs pellets.
Pellets vs wood chips.
Wood chips burn faster than sawdust or pellets.
Soaking wood chips in water for about 30 minutes generates steam that adds moisture and heat to the smoking process.
In both cases the basic principle remains the same fire is applied to the fuel and smoke is produced.
Smoker pellets and wood chips are two of the most accessible and popular options for smoking food.
You might need to add a handful or two during grilling if the chips are getting used up too quickly this is when hinged cooking grates come in real handy just flip up the side and drop in more wood.
An electric smoker on the other hand requires electrical power to produce pretty much all of the heat.
Burnt wood chips will generate a bitter smoke.
For ignition there is a heating rod and it uses wood pellets as fuel.
The key with wood chips is to deny the wood of oxygen so it smolders and smokes.
They are two relatively modern twists on the use of smoke to preserve and flavor foods.
When it comes to smoking food in an electric smoker the two main wood choices are wood chips and pellets.
In most cases it is simply a matter of taste or more exactly a combination of smoker and personal preference.
Both smoking tools are great offer a naturally smoky flavor and are relatively inexpensive to purchase.
If you have an electric smoker just throw them in the tray.
From how wood pellets and wood chips are made to what their uses are to whether they are better for a grill or a smoker there s actually quite a fair bit to consider when you are trying to decide which is better for your purposes.
Without pellets and a pretty hearty supply you have no way to cook anything.
So while each requires making sure you ve got enough wood before starting a cook you only need a chunk or two for the electric to provide the best results.
Use chips one time pellets the next and then compare.
However there are a couple of important differences.
So the best advice in this case is try them out for yourself.
Others swear by pellets.
Wood chips burn relatively fast since they re small and thin.
But there are a handful of differences between the two tools that any smoker worth the name needs to be aware of.
A pellet smoker is going to use electricity to ignite the pellets but also a lot more wood than an electric.
This method also prolongs burning time.
The truth is there s a considerable amount of difference between wood pellets and wood chips.
This smoker combines all the features of an electric smoker and a propane one too.
If you want a quick burst of smoke and you re only grilling for a short time use wood chips in your smoker.