> Jack Keller indicates on his web site (as opposed to his post last
year
> about making oak essence with Everclear) that chips should be boiled
> for 10 minutes or so to remove harsh tannins before use.

> 1) Should the chips be toasted first before the boiling or after?

It's unusual to boil them at all - you're taking out of them a lot of
what you *want*!

> 2) I boiled some and then toasted them for 15 minutes at 350. They
> smelled nice while cooking but now they have no toast smell at all.
> Should chips retain the toast smell after they cool?

Yes, they should.

Ben