A wood chip tray lets you add smoky flavor to food on a gas grill without switching to a dedicated smoker. The best choice depends on how you want the chips to smolder, how often you want to refill the box, and where it will sit on your grill. These five stainless steel options all work with gas grills, but their vent designs, capacity, and access features differ.
Table of Contents
Quick Comparison
| Product | Standout feature | Best suited for |
|---|---|---|
| auisea Thickened Stainless Steel Smoker Box | Top-and-bottom vents, hinged lid, and included mini clip | Grillers who want controlled access and a clip for handling chips |
| Grillaholics XL Stainless Steel Smoker Box | Extra-large capacity and thick stamped stainless steel | Longer cooks with fewer refills |
| Stanbroil Double V-Shape Smoker Box | V-shaped design with front and side holes | Grillers looking for flexible placement |
| GRILLART Grill Smoker Box | Thicker stainless steel and a flip-top lid | Simple refilling and versatile grill use |
| KEISSCO Stainless Steel Smoker Box | Multiple vents and a hinged lid | Grillers who want airflow and room for wood chips |
Our Picks: Best Wood Chip Tray For Gas Grill reviews
auisea Thickened Stainless Steel Smoker Box: Best for Controlled Smoke
The auisea smoker box is a stainless steel tray with a hinged lid, top-and-bottom ventilation, and a 7-inch mini clip for handling wood chips. Its 9.1-by-3.5-by-1.7-inch size gives you a clear idea of how much grill space it will take up before you buy.
Unlike boxes with side vents, this model directs its openings through the top and bottom. Its design is intended to slow the chips’ burn compared with a box that has side holes, which may suit cooks who want a steadier smolder. Actual smoke output will still depend on your grill, heat setting, and wood chips.
The hinged lid makes it easier to access the chips without lifting off a loose cover. The included clip is a useful extra for stirring or adding chips, though you should still use care around hot grill parts. The box is described as suitable for gas, charcoal, and pellet grills.
A potential trade-off is that the no-side-holes design favors a different airflow pattern than vented models like the Stanbroil and KEISSCO. Choose this one if controlled access and its included clip matter more to you than a design with vents around the sides.
Pros:
- Top-and-bottom vent design intended for a longer, steadier smolder
- Hinged lid stays attached while you access the chips
- Includes a 7-inch clip for handling wood chips
- Stated dimensions help with grill-space planning
Cons:
- Its airflow design differs from boxes with side vents, so it may not suit every grilling preference
- It still takes up space on or near the grill’s heat source
Verdict: Choose the auisea if you want a clearly sized box with a hinged lid, a chip-handling clip, and a vent design intended to support a slower smolder.
Grillaholics XL Smoker Box: Best for Larger Chip Loads
The Grillaholics is an extra-large stainless steel smoker box designed to hold more wood chips than a standard-size box. That added capacity is useful when you would rather spend less time refilling during a cook. The trade-off is that a larger box may need more room on your grill, so check the available space around the burners and grates.
Its thick stamped stainless steel construction is intended to withstand grill heat, and the hinged lid gives you access to the chips when it is time to refill. The product information recommends using grill gloves when opening it, a sensible precaution since the box sits in a hot cooking area.
Compared with the auisea, this model focuses on capacity rather than including a separate chip-handling clip or listing specific dimensions. It is a practical fit if you want a straightforward, roomy box and can accommodate its XL design.
Pros:
- Extra-large capacity means fewer chip refills may be needed
- Thick stamped stainless steel construction
- Hinged lid provides access to the chips
- Designed for gas and charcoal grills
Cons:
- Its XL size may be harder to place on grills with limited space
- No dimensions are provided in the product information
Verdict: The Grillaholics is a good option if chip capacity is your priority and you have enough room on your grill for an XL box.
Stanbroil Double V-Shape Smoker Box: Best for Flexible Placement
The Stanbroil smoker box has a double V-shape intended to sit on flame deflector bars or a grill grate. Its product information also describes placement directly on charcoal, making this a versatile design for different grill setups.
Front and side holes help smoke escape, and the product description says this venting makes the wood chips smoke more quickly. That can appeal to grillers who want visible smoke sooner, though faster chip burn may also mean checking the box more often than you would with a design meant to smolder longer.
The listed instructions recommend soaking the chips for 30 to 45 minutes and using a medium burner setting or roughly 225–250°F. Treat those as the manufacturer’s starting suggestions, not a guarantee of the same results on every grill. Unlike the auisea and Grillaholics, the provided product details do not call out a hinged lid.
Pros:
- Double V-shape can fit on flame deflector bars or a grill grate
- Front and side vents provide several routes for smoke to escape
- Product information includes starting guidance for heat and chip preparation
- Designed for gas grilling and other cookout setups
Cons:
- Its vent design is intended to make chips smoke more quickly, which may call for closer attention
- No dimensions or hinged lid are specified in the supplied product details
Verdict: Consider the Stanbroil if its V-shape matches your grill layout and you prefer a vented box designed to produce smoke quickly.
GRILLART Grill Smoker Box: Best for Simple Refilling
The GRILLART smoker box is a stainless steel tray with an attached flip-top lid. Keeping the lid attached makes it easier to open and refill the box without setting a separate cover aside. The product is described as suitable for gas, charcoal, and pellet grills.
GRILLART describes its steel as thicker and food-grade, with resistance to heat, rust, and water. Those are manufacturer claims rather than a promise that the box will never wear or discolor. As with any metal accessory used over a burner, handle it carefully when hot.
The product information suggests placing the box on a corner of the grates. That offers a simple setup, but grill layouts differ, so confirm there is room and that the box sits securely before heating it. Compared with the Stanbroil, it has a simpler tray form rather than a V-shaped design; compared with the auisea, it does not include a chip clip.
Pros:
- Attached flip-top lid is convenient for refilling
- Stainless steel construction is described as thick and food-grade
- Designed for gas, charcoal, and pellet grills
- Simple tray-style form is easy to understand and use
Cons:
- No dimensions or capacity are provided in the product information
- Does not include a chip-handling clip
Verdict: Pick the GRILLART if you want a basic stainless steel box with an attached lid and do not need a listed size or extra handling tool.
KEISSCO Stainless Steel Smoker Box: Best for a Vented Design
The KEISSCO is a stainless steel smoker box with multiple vent holes and a hinged lid. Its 8.8-by-3.6-by-1.7-inch dimensions make it easier to compare with the auisea, which is slightly longer. KEISSCO says the box can fit between flavorizer bars and grill grates or sit directly on charcoal.
The additional vents are intended to let more smoke escape. This is a useful design if you want an airflow-focused box, but more openings do not guarantee a specific smoke level or cooking result. Your burner setting, chip type, and grill design all matter.
The hinged lid makes it possible to change wood chips without handling a loose cover. Compared with the Stanbroil, the KEISSCO gives you a stated size and a hinged lid; compared with the auisea, it uses more vents rather than a top-and-bottom-only design.
Pros:
- Multiple vent holes are designed to let smoke escape
- Hinged lid allows access for changing chips
- Listed dimensions help you check grill fit
- Designed to sit between grill components or on charcoal
Cons:
- Its vented design differs from boxes intended to slow chip burning
- More smoke openings do not ensure a particular smoke intensity
Verdict: The KEISSCO is a practical pick if you want a hinged, vented box with specific dimensions and flexible placement options.
How to Choose a Wood Chip Tray for a Gas Grill
Check the Size and Placement
Measure the space where you expect to place the box, and consider how it will sit near your burners, flavorizer bars, or grates. A compact box may be easier to position, while an XL design can hold more chips but may take up more room. The auisea and KEISSCO list their dimensions; the other options do not provide specific measurements in the product information here. Always check the product listing and your grill layout before buying.
Choose a Vent Style for Your Cooking Preference
Vent holes let smoke escape, but the products use different layouts. The auisea has openings on the top and bottom with no side holes and is designed to support a slower smolder. The Stanbroil and KEISSCO have front and side or multiple vents intended to release smoke more quickly. No design can guarantee a particular flavor or smoke level, so think about whether you prefer a more controlled airflow pattern or more open venting.
Consider Capacity and How Often You Want to Refill
A larger chip capacity can reduce how often you need to open the grill and add more wood, but it may require more space. The Grillaholics is described as XL, and the KEISSCO and auisea list their dimensions. If you cook for a longer stretch, compare the box size with the room available on your grill instead of assuming that the largest model is the best fit.
Look for a Lid That Matches How You Cook
A hinged lid stays connected to the box when you open it, which can make refilling or checking the chips more convenient. The auisea, Grillaholics, GRILLART, and KEISSCO specify hinged or attached lids. The supplied Stanbroil details do not mention one. If you expect to change chips during a cook, an attached lid may be useful, but the box will still be hot and should be handled with care.
Compare the Material and Construction Claims
All five options are described as stainless steel. Some product descriptions emphasize thicker or heavy-duty construction, but the information provided does not give a shared measurement for comparing steel thickness. Consider those claims alongside the design, size, and access features you need rather than treating them as a guarantee of a specific lifespan.
Think About the Wood Chips and Heat
Wood type, burner setting, and grill setup can affect how quickly chips produce smoke. The Stanbroil product information suggests soaking chips for 30 to 45 minutes and starting with medium heat or roughly 225–250°F. Other products do not provide the same instructions, so follow the directions for your chosen box and use your grill’s manual as a guide. Avoid opening or moving a hot smoker box with bare hands.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you use a wood chip box on a gas grill?
Yes. Each of these products is described as compatible with gas grills. Follow the product’s placement guidance and your grill’s instructions, and make sure the box sits securely in a suitable spot.
Where should a smoker box go on a gas grill?
Placement depends on the box design and your grill. Product information suggests placing some boxes near the heat source or on the grates; the Stanbroil is also designed to fit on flame deflector bars. Check your grill layout and the manufacturer’s directions rather than assuming one spot works for every model.
Should you soak wood chips before using a smoker box?
The Stanbroil instructions recommend soaking chips for 30 to 45 minutes. The other supplied product details do not specify soaking. Follow the instructions for your chosen box and adjust based on how it behaves on your grill.
Do smoker boxes need a hinged lid?
No, but a hinged lid can make it easier to open the box without setting a loose cover aside. It is a convenience feature, not a requirement for adding smoke to grilled food.
Which smoker box is best for a small gas grill?
Check the smoker box dimensions against the usable space around your grill’s burners and grates. The auisea and KEISSCO provide measurements in their product descriptions. The Grillaholics is labeled XL, so it may be less suitable if your grill has limited room.
Can a smoker box be used on a charcoal grill too?
Several options are described for use with charcoal grills as well as gas grills. Check the individual product details for placement guidance before using one on charcoal.
Final Recommendation
For a well-specified all-around option, the auisea combines listed dimensions, a hinged lid, and an included clip, with a vent design intended to support a steadier smolder. Choose the Grillaholics if you want an extra-large chip capacity, the Stanbroil if its V-shape suits your grill and you want open venting, the GRILLART for a simple flip-top design, or the KEISSCO for multiple vents and clearly stated dimensions. Before ordering, compare the box size and placement style with your grill.
