Why, Dear Lord, Why?

[ecowper]

Every darn BBQ recipe I read (except for Meathead, of course) says to soak your wood chips in water. Why? Who came up with this idea? Why are they still allowed in the BBQ world?

[MBMorgan]

I've had a number of friends/acquaintances ask for advice over the years about how to add smoke (usually in a gasser ... but not always). I always carefully explain how to make a foil smoke pouch filled with dry chips. I then explain the problems with soaking ... and off they go to their next cook for family, friends, co-workers, etc. So far, 100% of the time I hear later from them that they really didn't get the smoke flavor they were hoping for and that temps ran too cool at first, then got too hot suddenly later (can you say "steam"?). I always ask about the dry chips and 100% of the time they tell me that their son, cousin, neighbor, pastor, etc., told them that soaked chips are the only way to go ... so they did. So much for seeking free advice then taking it ... perhaps I should start charging? Sigh ...

[Nate]

You came to me, you asked me for advice, didn't follow it, then complained that it didn't work... gotta love those people... same people that completely modify a recipe and then knock it because it didn't taste good... but it was your recipe they say.

[CurlingDog]

It's because they haven't read meatheads book. I've used his "soaked wood time bomb" idea and it works out great on the gasser. YMMV

[ecowper]

I was all excited ... a friend sent me a recipe for bbq chicken and a bacon-bourbon sauce. Sounds awesome. Got to the second line about soaking wood chips in water for at least 30 minutes ..... GRRRRRR

[FireMan]

Meathead said it best! HEY! They build boats out of wood! Duh! The hey & the duh were my interjections.

[DWCowles]

I was guilty of soaking wood chips until I enter Meathead's world.

[vandy]

Yep, me too! DUH!

[Lost in China]

It makes sense when you think about it. Wood makes more smoke when it smolders, not burns, and soaking in water makes things smolder. The whole world thought this until someone did some science. One of the things I like about this site is being 5 years ahead of the rest of the world on BBQ.

[Atalanta]

Yep. BF says I should soak the wood first, I said, let me try dry and see what happens.

[ecowper]

We forgive you, now that you've seen the light DWCowles

[Ribber]

It makes you want to pull your hair out in chunks, doesn't it? Or if you're bald you end up with a head that looks like a bowling ball! So ignorant bbq'ers give us genius bbg'ers a headache. Ugh

[Nate]

I swear it is like the enlightened pitmasters of AR vs the rest of culinary world, cookbook writers, backyard know-it-alls, etc......
sear first, soak wood chips, beer can chicken, temp by touch, smash burgers, boil ribs, and the list goes on

[ecowper]

My kids do, also DWCowles. So, I break down and make it for them every once in a while.

[Nate]

DWCowles , Your AR Pitmaster Membership Card has been revoked! LOL / JK
I get what you are saying. Part of my family prefers fall off the bone ribs... That being said I have a related thread I'm going to start one day about a similar topic.

[MBMorgan]

Hey guys ... DWCowles isn't alone in loving beer can chicken! I love it too ... It's at its best when the can never leaves my hand.

[DWCowles]

And we ALL are guilty of bbqing the wrong way at sometime before AR came along but surprisingly we are all still alive to talk about.

[Thunder77]

I think the original reasoning for soaking the chips is so that they would "smolder" instead of burning right up. But that doesn't hold any water. The chips won't even smoke until they dry out anyway, so just start with dry chips. Better yet, use chunks. At least for longer cooks, anyway. Sometimes I throw chips on during a short cook, for a quick burst of flavor.

[ecowper]

"doesn't hold any water" ... groan ....... yep, I agree. Use chunks for smoke. On shorter cooks, like grilled salmon, let's say, I toss on some wood chips just like you said.

[Thunder77]

Sorry, that pun was NOT intended! 😜

[ecowper]

That's too bad, it was pretty good

[Breadhead]

You can lead a Jackass to water but you can't make him drink...😡 Some people are beyond help!!!

[DWCowles]

No...some people just don't know better

[Tim E]

Pet peeve of mine too.
Some defend these ideas pretty strongly. I am a pretty laid-back individual and do not enjoy confrontation so.... other than the occasional comment from me stating that I beleive otherwise, and they should check out amazingribs.com, I let them continue on.