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Woods for smoking - What trees can be used

by Derek
(North New Jersey)

What about cherry or pear and why kind of hickory are you talking about when u say hickory. I own a tree service so I have many differant woods at my disposal, and I have sold cords of cherry to Polish resturants for smoking. So that is the only wood I have used but I have apple, white oak, red oak, black oak, pin oak, pear, shag bark hickory, pig nut hickory, plum, mullberry, too many maples to list. juist interested in more info on the differant woods. Thx for your time....

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Woods for smoking - What trees can be used

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Good List of SmokerWood, Tubby
by: SmokerBill


Thanks for the good info Tubby. I've seen this on several bbq websites, and found that this smokerwood list was originally written by William (Bill) W. Wright, of the BBQ FAQ. I just want to give credit where credit is due. Take a look here to see the full BBQ FAQ. Lots of good info there.

SmokerBill

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This might help ya
by: Tubby

ALDER - Very delicate with a hint of sweetness. Good with fish, pork, poultry, and light-meat game birds.

ALMOND - A sweet smoke flavor, light ash. Good with all meats.

APPLE - Very mild with a subtle fruity flavor, slightly sweet. Good with poultry (turns skin dark brown) and pork.

ASH - Fast burner, light but distinctive flavor. Good with fish and red meats.

BIRCH - Medium-hard wood with a flavor similar to maple. Good with pork and poultry.

CHERRY - Mild and fruity. Good with poultry, pork and beef. Some List members say the cherry wood is the best wood for smoking. Wood from chokecherry trees may produce a bitter flavor.

COTTONWOOD - It is a softer wood than alder and very subtle in flavor. Use it for fuel but use some chunks of other woods (hickory, oak, pecan) for more flavor. Don't use green cottonwood for smoking.

CRABAPPLE - Similar to apple wood.

GRAPEVINES - Tart. Provides a lot of smoke. Rich and fruity. Good with poultry, red meats, game and lamb.

HICKORY - Most commonly used wood for smoking--the King of smoking woods. Sweet to strong, heavy bacon flavor. Good with pork, ham and beef.

LILAC - Very light, subtle with a hint of floral. Good with seafood and lamb.

MAPLE - Smoky, mellow and slightly sweet. Good with pork, poultry, cheese, and small game birds.

MESQUITE - Strong earthy flavor. Good with beef, fish, chicken, and game. One of the hottest burning.

MULBERRY - The smell is sweet and reminds one of apple.

OAK - Heavy smoke flavor--the Queen of smoking wood. RED OAK is good on ribs, WHITE OAK makes the best coals for longer burning. All oak varieties reported as suitable for smoking. Good with red meat, pork, fish and heavy game.

ORANGE, LEMON and GRAPEFRUIT - Produces a nice mild smoky flavor. Excellent with beef, pork, fish and poultry.

PEAR - A nice subtle smoke flavor. Much like apple. Excellent with chicken and pork.

PECAN - Sweet and mild with a flavor similar to hickory. Tasty with a subtle character. Good with poultry, beef, pork and cheese. Pecan is an all-around superior smoking wood.

SWEET FRUIT WOODS - APRICOT, PLUM, PEACH, NECTARINE - Great on most white or pink meats, including chicken, turkey, pork and fish. The flavor is milder and sweeter than hickory.

WALNUT - ENGLISH and BLACK - Very heavy smoke flavor, usually mixed with lighter woods like almond, pear or apple. Can be bitter if used alone. Good with red meats and game.

wood from the following trees is suitable for smoking: BAY, CARROTWOOD, KIAWE, MADRONE, MANZANITA, GUAVA and OLIVE. The ornamental varieties of fruit trees (i. e. pear and cherry) are also suitable for smoking.

suitable for smoking: BEECH, BUTTERNUT, FIG, GUM, CHESTNUT, HACKBERRY, PIMIENTO, PERSIMMON, and WILLOW.
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Woods To Use For Smoking
by: SmokerBill

Any of those woods you mentioned would be fine for smoking with. I've not used pin oak before, but I know where some is, so I'll have to give it a try some times. Of the two hickories, I've heard some say there's a difference in the flavor of the two different species. I think it might have more to do with individual differences of the trees themselves, because of their growing conditions and individual characteristics. All you listed are safe. Use sparingly until you know how strong the wood is, and how smoky you like it.

By the way, cherry is great!

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