2 questions in one post

[LT72884]

First question. Is one fist sized wood chunk plenty of wood for one rack of loins or spares? Also, if the bag of chunks i purchased has small chunks as in no bigger than a dang golf ball, take it back and buy a better bag?

second question. How much smoke is produced from lump charcoal alone? main reason i ask. i have some awesome high quality mesquite lump that i want to smoke some ribs with but i need to know how much of the smoke proprieties of the wood are still around after it has been carbonized into charcoal. i want to use the mesquite lump to smoke with and it smells pretty dang clean when it is burning hot. i would not add any other wood chunks to the fire if i use mesquite lump. oh and it will be minion burn.

thanks

[superlazy]

I use 2 or 3 size fist size chunks in my WSM
http://www.fruitawoodchunks.com/

[bigabyte]

You can probably get by with one chunk, but I usually use 3 at least, spread out from each other of course.

My experience with mesquite lump is that it imparts a good flavor on it's own and doesn't need any added wood, although if you want a flavor other than just mesquite then you will need to add it. I love the flavor from just mesquite charcoal though.

[LT72884]

Thanks guys for the answers. Im bugged that my wood chunks are like way small. Gotta buy me some good stuff. Haha.

so your saying for one rack alone, 3 fist sized pieces of wood would be ok? just wanna make sure they aint to smokey for first timers. haha

Im gonna try mesquite as well this spring haha. 20$ for 50 lbs of high quality stuff. Average size is 7 in diameter and about a foot long haha.

[landarc]

I would keep the small golf ball sized chunks, they might end up being useful.

I use two or three chunks for most smokes. In my kettle, I prefer less wood, in my UDS, fist sized chunks is good.

I do not smoke with mesquite, it sure would be easier and mesquite lump is everywhere around here. I find that the hardwood lump I use gives a very light smoke flavor to meat without any added wood, but, not enough unless I am smoking something I want to be delicate.

[LT72884]

Originally Posted by landarc

I would keep the small golf ball sized chunks, they might end up being useful.

maybe for cold smoking then eh? What else could i use them for?

thanks

[Ron_L]

Ummm... Maybe I'm the only one who feels that this in important, but what are you cooking on? A fist sized chunk will be way to much for a small electric like a Masterbuilt, may be just right for a 18.5" WSM, a little light for a 22.5" WSM or UDS, and would be way too light for a large offset.

[LT72884]

Originally Posted by Ron_L

Ummm... Maybe I'm the only one who feels that this in important, but what are you cooking on? A fist sized chunk will be way to much for a small electric like a Masterbuilt, may be just right for a 18.5" WSM, a little light for a 22.5" WSM or UDS, and would be way too light for a large offset.

Hmm. I must have deleted what i was cookin on. Its a 22.5 kettle anf a uds.

Thanks for bringing this up