Should you Smoke with Wood Chips or Chunks?

Last Updated:
September 11, 2024

Often the size of the wood you can use is dictated by your smoker.

SmokerWood Chips or Chunks or Both
Weber Kettle GrillBoth
Weber Smokey MountainBoth
Kamado GrillsBoth
Charcoal Drum SmokersBoth
Electric SmokersWood chips
Gas GrillsWood chips via a smoker tube or smoker box
Vertical Gas SmokerWood chips (it’s possible to use chunks in some of these smokers)
Pellet SmokerPellets and wood chips via a smoker tube or smoker box. Sometimes chunks*.

*Some pellet smokers like the Camp Chef Woodwind Pro have added places for you to add wood chunks near the firebox.

Similarly Pitts & Spitts have a smoke cage for adding wood chunks.

It’s Mainly About How Long they Can Generate Smoke

Depending on the size of the wood chunk, they can smolder for several hours where-as wood chips will smolder for 45-60 minutes at most.

a wood chunk next to a wood chip

Meaning, what you’re cooking matters:

Wood chips are typically reserved for shorter cooks:

  • Fish
  • Poultry

Longer cooks work better with wood chunks, so:

  • Brisket
  • Beef ribs
  • Pork butt
  • Pork ribs

Some people like to add a few wood chips when they’re charcoal grilling too – just to give a kiss of smoke.

In an article I tested how long wood chips “smoke” for – it’s roughly 45-60 minutes.

You also don’t need to soak them, that’s a complete and utter waste of time.

I can tell you from experience, most wood chunks will last 60+ minutes.

When they stop generating smoke, add a new one.

For Practical Purposes is there Any Other Differences?

Nope; Wood is wood.

Whatever species you buy can be sold as chips, chunks, and splits.

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Dylan Clay
Dylan Clay is a pitmaster based in New Hampshire, with over 17 years of experience in grilling, smoking, and dehydrating meat. Throughout this time, he has worked with nearly every cut of meat. In 2019, he launched the Barbecue FAQ website to share his extensive knowledge about all things meat, aiming to assist others in making better barbecue at home.

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