Does wood chunk size matter?

[alanfred]

As a newbie I may be sweating the small stuff, lets say the smoke calls for 4oz.

1 - 4oz chunk ?
2 - 2oz chunks ?
4 - 1oz chunks ?

My gut tells me, the more chunks the more surface area = more smoke, and what I've learned from reading many posts I don't want to over smoke.

It's taken me a long time in life to break away from my favorite motto, "If a little is good, a lot is better"

 

[LarryD]

My gut tells me, the more chunks the more surface area = more smoke, and what I've learned from reading many posts I don't want to over smoke.

Hmm...  just speculating as I've done no experiments.  I would start by modifying your "more surface area = more smoke"  to include "at one time, but not overall" because there is a finite amount of 'smoke' potential for a given mass of wood.

For short smoking sessions I tend to use more, smaller chunks to make sure they'll be used up before the end of the session and get the smoke rolling quickly.  For long smoking sessions I tend to use larger blocks to try to extend the the smoke period through the session.

 

[alanfred]

This forum is great, love it, thanks.

 

[BobM]

How much wood would a wood chunk be if a wood could chunk wood?

 

[Pork Belly]

You are thinking about it too much, toss a chunk in there and run it. Also if a recipe calls for ____ oz., think about what you like. If you like more smoke flavor then run a little bit more. I would make those adjustments in small amounts don't jump from 4oz to 9oz.