sandraven,I used to use jack daniel's chips all the time in all of my smokers,I love them.they seem to make the smoke penetrate the meat,not just lay on it.but since I got my CS 009 all I have used is wood chunks.from what I have read in the owners manual & on the forum you need to use chunks & not chips.I have thought about soaking some chunks for a period of time with some jack daniel's & see how that would do,but that just might be a sin too,to soak instead of sip,ha-ha