How to Use Wood Chips in a Gas Grill

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(Yes, It’s Totally Possible!)

With a little know-how and a handful of wood chips, your gas grill can deliver that deep, smoky taste too.
Yes, you can absolutely use wood chips in a gas grill, and once you try it, you might not go back.

Let me walk you through how to do it, step by step.

Why Add Wood Chips to a Gas Grill?

Gas grills are amazing for their consistency and speed, but they don’t naturally create that smoke that brings barbecue to life. That’s where wood chips come in.

By adding wood chips to your grill, you’re introducing real smoke to your cooking process. It’s how you get that savory flavor that clings to ribs, seeps into burgers, and makes grilled veggies taste like something from a campfire feast.

Choose the Right Wood Chips

Before we jump into the “how,” let’s talk about what wood to use. Different types of wood chips bring different flavors:

Hickory – Bold, smoky, great with pork and beef.
Mesquite – Strong and earthy, perfect for steaks.
Applewood – Sweet and mild, great for chicken or pork.
Cherry – Slightly sweet and fruity, pairs well with poultry.
Oak – Versatile, medium smoke flavor, great all-rounder.

I like to mix woods sometimes. A little hickory with apple? Game-changer for pork chops.

Step-by-Step: How to Use Wood Chips in Your Gas Grill

I’ve tested a few methods over the years, and this one works reliably every time. You’ll need:

Wood chips (dry or soaked)
A smoker box or aluminum foil
Tongs or heat-proof gloves

Step 1: Soak (or Don’t Soak) the Wood Chips

Soaking wood chips in water for 30 minutes is a classic technique. The idea is that it slows the burn and creates more smoke.

I often skip this step. Dry chips light faster and produce smoke sooner. If you’re doing a quick cook, like burgers or wings, dry chips are perfect.

If you’re going for a longer cook, soaking can help stretch out the smoke. Try both ways and see what works best for you.

Step 2: Prepare the Smoker Box

If your grill doesn’t have a built-in smoker box, no problem. You can use a stainless steel smoker box or make your own with aluminum foil.

Here’s how:

Take a generous handful of chips and wrap them in a foil pouch.
Poke a few holes in the top with a fork or knife, this lets smoke escape.
For extra smoke, make two pouches and place one on each side of the grill.

Step 3: Preheat the Grill

Turn on your grill and preheat it on high. If you’re using a smoker box, place it directly over one of the burners.

Let the grill heat up until you see smoke starting to curl out of the smoker box or foil pouch. This usually takes 10-15 minutes.

Once it’s smoking, reduce the heat to your cooking temperature.

Step 4: Indirect Heat Is Best

For the best smoke flavor, use indirect heat. That means turning off the burner directly under the food and cooking it with heat from the surrounding burners.

Place your meat or veggies on the unlit side of the grill, close the lid, and let the smoke do its thing.

Step 5: Keep That Lid Closed

It’s tempting to check your food every few minutes, but try to resist. Every time you open the lid, smoke escapes. Keep it closed as much as possible to trap that flavor.

Set a timer and only open it when you need to flip or baste.

A Few Extra Tips

Don’t overdo it: A little smoke goes a long way. If the chips are burning too fast or the smoke smells harsh, reduce the number or lower the heat.
Keep extras on hand: If you’re doing a long cook, have another foil pouch ready. Swap it in when the first one stops smoking.
Use a thermometer: Smoking adds flavor, but it can mess with cook times. A meat thermometer ensures you hit the right temp every time.

What Foods Work Best With Wood Chips?

Here are a few of my go-to smoky grill recipes:

Smoked burgers – Hickory makes them unforgettable.
BBQ chicken thighs – Applewood or cherry adds amazing depth.
Cedar plank salmon – Add a mesquite pouch to intensify the smoke.
Pork tenderloin – Try a mix of oak and applewood.

Vegetables, tofu, even grilled cheese sandwiches, yes, I’ve smoked them all. The wood chip method opens up so many delicious possibilities.

Final Thoughts: Make Your Gas Grill Work Harder

It’s easy, it’s cheap, and it makes a massive difference in taste. Whether you’re cooking for a crowd or just spicing up a one night dinner, adding wood chips is one of the simplest ways to upgrade your grilling game.

Give it a shot this weekend, just don’t be surprised when your neighbors come sniffing around asking what you’re cooking.