Smokinlicious chunk size

[Srego909]

Hi newbie here!  Just got my 1/4 box mix (alder, maple, cherry) in.  The double fillet is 1-1/2 x 3-1/2”.  Should I cut these in half?  Wasn’t sure if there too large for my Model #1

 

[old sarge]

When I started out with an electric, I ignored some sage advice on the Cookshack forum about using the wood sparingly. I over smoked a butt, turned it ugly bitter with a black sticky coating. Every time the smoke died out, I added more wood till I used 3/4 lb.  So I started weighing the wood and cutting into roughly 1, 2, and 3 ounce chunks.  For large cuts like a butt or whole packer brisket, i use 5 to 6 ounces.  For baby back ribs, 3 ounces and St. Louis style 4 to 5 ounces.  An inexpensive digital scale works fine.  I am now to the point where I just give a good estimate of the weight and don't normally weigh the wood.  I still weigh the chunks when I get a shipment just so I know the average weight of each piece.  Hope this helps.

 

[Meatball]

I would highly recommend a digital scale for weighing wood. If not mistaken there was a discussion a ways back on scales that was very helpful.

 

[barelfly]

Two great posts above, that is all the info you need. It will set you up for great smoked meat!

 

[Lonzinomaker]

I go by weight also, but I use any chunk that lets the door to the smoke box close. If the door doesn't close, I chop enough of an edge off so it will close.
I find the wood burns to fast if the door doesn't sit flat on the box.

 

[Meatball]

https://www.amazon.com/Ozeri-Professional-Digital-Kitchen-Tempered/dp/B003MSZBSI/ref=sr_1_8?crid=ZNX4QUODNF0O&keywords=ozeri+scales+digital+weight&qid=1576356610&sprefix=ozari+scales%2Caps%2C321&sr=8-8
I have had very good results with this model.

 

[Norwester]

In my #1 I generally use 2 oz for ribs and 3-3 1/2 oz for shoulders and butts.

 

[tostitobandito]

Agree with everyone who says to weigh it.  Get a cheap digital kitchen scale.  That said, the smokinlicious chunk size seems fine to me (assuming my model 3 firebox is the same size inside).  Most chunks are anywhere between about 2.5 and 4 ounces, so I didn't have a problem finding two adding up to around 7-7.5 ounces for my brisket.  For shorter cooks I'd just use a single chunk of the appropriate weight.  If I absolutely needed to I could grab a hatchet and split some of the chunks, but I don't forsee needing to do that.  As long as they fit in the firebox and it fully closes you're fine.  Even the biggest chunks fit fine in my model 3 firebox.