Question: I am looking to smoke some meat for my chili, but the problem is, I have no smoker. I understand there are products like liquid smoke, however, this didn't create the taste I wanted or really much of one for that matter (I used a good 1/4 of the bottle too). Is there a way to get your own wood chips and smoke something in a propane grill or even an outdoor firepit? Are there wood solutions or chips you can throw into a crock for chili to provide a smoked flavor? Any help would be appreciated!

EDIT: Found a link that mentions the possibility of [using real wood chips in a crockpot to smoke the meat](http://www.ayearofslowcooking.com/2008/08/you-can-use-your-crockpot-as-smoker.html). I am a little skeptical of this. Would this be a possible method?

Answer: 
I see chefs using "smoking guns" on food network competitions all the time. It's a tiny "gun" with a heating element. When a small amount of wood is placed in it and it is turned on, the smoke will exit a tube at the end. If food is placed in a plastic bag and twist tied around the tube the smoke can cold-smoke the food.
There are several ways to smoke your meat without a dedicated smoker.

1. **Buy a wood chips box**. This is a cast iron box, where you place on top of your ordinary grill, and place smoking chips inside.
2. Some **electric turkey roasters** have integrated smoking chip compartments. I once owned one by Oster.
3. Use a **charcoal grill**. Setting up the coals in a snake formation, can effectively smoke delicious meat.
4. If used in moderation, **liquid smoke** can do the job when none of these other methods are available.