How often do you add wood?

[dsskid]

Should I be periodically adding wood during a smoke, or is it best to just put wood in at the start and keep the door shut?

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[Pork Belly]

Please read this posting http://smokinitforums.com/index.php?topic=2078.0

In there you will learn about having and using a scale. The only reason I would have for loading more wood is when I am doing a long low temp smoke like jerky. I think chip give more low temp smoke that blocks or dowels. I I see my chips have burned out I pull the box with pliers and load more. That is on low temp smokes so I m not loosing box heat to open the smoker and replenish.   

If someone could link the wood guide it would be helpful, I'm not sure where we put it. I think it should be in its own topic next to basics for beginners.

[dsskid]

Thank you.

I'm not sure that I'll be doing jerky anytime soon, but perhaps cheeses (as requested by the wife, I ordered the cold smoke plate), so that is useful and I will keep that in mind. 

So for most smokes, blocks and dowels is preferred, and just add in the beginning, and am good to go for the entire smoke.

I love this forum already.

[Pork Belly]

You don't have to quote the entire posting you can just do a line or two for clarification.

Yes load it in the beginning and don't worry about it. I find that placing the block completely in the back of the box gives me the quickest and most efficient burn.

[NDKoze]

Here is the link to the smoking woods/times doc.

http://smokinitforums.com/index.php?topic=2151.0

Hopefully this helps you.

[dsskid]

Thank you both.  PS, edited my post above.

[es1025]

John

Once you add your wood in ounces, You are done, that easy.

[DivotMaker]

John

Once you add in your ounces of wood.  You are done, that easy.

+1!

[mike.bryant]

Once you add your wood in ounces, You are done, that easy.

That's a big difference from smokers that use chips.  I have a friend with a MasterBuilt Electric Smoker who adds chips every half hour for many hours.  Load up the Smokin-It once at the beginning and never touch it again until done.  Resist the urge to use more wood than you need.  Just a few ounces goes a LONG way!

[bigbassnutt]

Don't be afraid to buy the bags of wood chips at walmart. I know some guys say they aren't as good but I have had really good luck with them. I pretty much have stuck with hickory and cherry for most of my smokes. I use 2 ounces of cherry on my ribs and they turn out great!

[dsskid]

Thanks for the replies Guys.