Learning to use wood chips in a Masterbuilt electric smoker is part art, part science, and all fun! Practice makes perfect, so dive into your favorite smoked recipe with these helpful tips for using wood chips the right way.
In time, your food will be oozing with that wood-fired, smoky aroma and naturally seasoned different flavors only wood chips can achieve!
*This post includes my affiliate links
How To Use Wood Chips In Your Masterbuilt Electric Smoker
Step 1
For best results, before starting your electric smoker, check to make sure there are no obstructions to the ventilation or leaks in the door.
Wear and tear from being stored outdoors causes metal and rubbers to warp over time. A worn seal on your smoker door will leak valuable smoke, and poor ventilation will prevent the necessary combustion for generating smoke.
Investing in a smoker cover is the best way to preserve the life of your electric smoker. You might also want to check out some of the most popular smokers, known for durability and amazing smoked masterpieces!
The type of smoker certainly makes a world of difference in the amount of smoke and smoky flavor that you will get. So be sure to find a quality smoker like Masterbuilt.
Step 2
Load 1 cup of wood chips into the wood chip tray or loader (there are so many different types of wood chips you can use).
Side-loading units such as the MES 130 B Digital Smoker or the Masterbuilt 30” inch have a slide-out loader. You can remove the loader and fill it to capacity.
Step 3
Reinsert the loader or wood chip tray into the smoker and turn the handle to the “Unload” position. This will cause the wood chips to fall neatly into the wood chip tray, positioned just above the unit’s heating element.
Step 4
Turn your smoker on and set your desired cooking temperature. Don’t add your food to the smoker until your smoker has had a chance to heat up.
The preheating stage should take 20 – 30 minutes, depending on the climate and how high the temperature you are aiming for.
If you’ve been storing your electric smoker for a long time in a cold, uninsulated garage, preheating with the digital control will allow your smoker time to generate a sufficient, stable cooking temperature.
Step 5
After 20 – 30 minutes have passed, check the internal temperature of your smoker. There may be a variance of +/- 20 degrees, depending on external factors such as windiness.
Strong winds can blow through the smokestack or chimney as well as the ventilation, cooling the internal temperature, or in some cases fueling combustion for wild temperature swings.
These smokers are engineered to perform even in subzero temperatures, but it’s a good idea to use an external oven-friendly thermometer, in addition to the temperature gauge on your digital electric smoker.
You’ll have greater accuracy at gauging the cooking temperature so you don’t overcook your expensive type of meat. Ever tried baking with an electric smoker? You might be interested in these smoke-flavored Baked Recipe Ideas For Your Electric Smoker.
If you’re satisfied with the temperature, it’s time to add your meat! Your cooking racks should be greased beforehand to make cleanup easier. Or you can use outdoor grill mats or aluminum foil to help make clean up a cinch!
Generally, 1 cup of wood chips will last 4 -5 hours. Continue to monitor your smoke levels without opening the smoker door to ensure there is enough smoke. Add a handful of wood chips every 4 hours or so until the amount of time it has been cooking is completed.
Can I use Wood Chunks or Pellets In My Masterbuilt Smoker?
Using wood chunks for fuel in your smoker box is not a good idea. When it comes to producing a smoky aroma that your meat will absorb, the right kind of wood is just as important as the right temperature setting. The wrong kind of wood produces too much smoke, leaving behind creosote residue that’s unhealthy for consumption.
Avoid using wood chunks, electric smoker pellets, or wood chips with the bark still on them. Bark makes great fuel for a campfire but not for smoking meat.
Pellets are specifically designed for use in pellet smokers and can cause wild variances in temperature if used in your Masterbuilt electric smoker.
Nervous about using the wrong kind of wood in your smoker? You might find “How To Choose The Right Wood Chips For Your Electric Smoker useful.
Is Thick White Smoke A Good Sign?
Billowing thick white smoke from your smokestack chimney means the wood chips are burning too quickly. The ventilation in your smoker is designed to support low and slow cooking for a long time.
The most desirable smoke color when using an electric smoker is almost invisible with a blue tint. Most people who use a smoker know this and aim to achieve the blue-tinted smoke as that usually means your meat is on the right path to cooking perfectly.
Hey, if smoking meat with wood chips in an electric smoker was easy, everybody would be doing it, right? Seriously, though, there’s nothing more rewarding for a pellet grills lover or aspiring pitmaster than achieving that elusive balance of smoke and wood in a tender cut of brisket, or moist pulled pork dripping in bbq sauce.
Some Helpful Tips For Perfectly Cooked Meat
Below are some helpful tips and a great way to get that perfectly cooked/smoked meat you have been craving:
*Season Your Meat to your personal preference
*Cooking process: Bring Smoker to Temperature (temperature control)
*Add Water to the water pan and Wood
*Add Meat to Smoker
*Baste Your Meat to Prevent Drying Out
*Apply Finishing Sauce
(More) Helpful Tips To Remember!
*You don’t actually need a lot of smoke to achieve the flavor you want. You can easily overrun the flavor of your meat if you have it too smoky (though some might like that!).
*If you want MORE smoke: To generate more smoke in your electric smoker, you can adjust the vent by opening it. This allows the heating element to stay on for a longer duration. It’s important to note that the smoker will not produce smoke unless the heating element is operating at its maximum capacity.
What Is A Masterbuilt Electric Smoker?
The Masterbuilt Smoker stands out as one of the top brands in outdoor smoking. Utilizing indirect heat and smoke, it excels at slowly cooking a variety of foods, including meats, vegetables, and more.
Renowned for its exceptional temperature control, Masterbuilt smokers consistently deliver precise cooking results. With a Masterbuilt smoker, you can confidently create delicious smoked dishes that are sure to impress.
If you are looking for an AWESOME recipe for your Masterbuilt Electric Smoker, then you NEED to grab the recipe for these delicious smoked jalapeno poppers! YUM!
How To Smoke Brisket Video
You can also check out the below video for smoked brisket on the smoker!
Good luck with your next smoked recipe (try the smoked brisket or my jalapeno poppers recipe!!), and have fun experimenting with your smoker!
I hope these tips on wood chips in a Masterbuilt electric smoker help you! Grilling and smoking any day of the year is the absolute BEST!
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Are you going to be doing any outdoor entertaining this summer? We will definitely be doing some smoking! How about you???
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