no takes very little chips trust me. haven't done jerky yet its one of the very few things i have the meat locker do along with brats, sausage, and a little burger. but i have done beef brisket, chicken, turkey, deer steaks, and pork loin. just check it every now and then but not too often it doesn't cook near as fast as bbq. also for anything like i just mentioned get a meatthermometer