How to Choose The Right WOOD For Smoking

There are as many opinions on the right wood for smoking meat as there are types of wood. People will sear that peach wood is their secret ingredient or that you should never use hickory on anything other than beef. I give you a quick guide to picking the perfect wood for your next BBQ.

I suggest buying wood locally wherever possible, but here are a few that you can get on Amazon:

Here are a few of my favorite products:

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

[jakk]

Could you test out different woods for smoking such as whiskey barrel or mahogany?

[roscoeshepard]

I use apple wood on pork and chicken, it does really good and good flavor.

[flakbait]

Excellent video! You broke down the categories great, and good work with the explanation of white smoke for the beginners.

I personally have never found mesquite overpowering for beef and pork, but perhaps that's just me. Hickory for four legs and apple for two are my standbys, though.

[blink]

My favorite woods in order: pecan, hickory, walnut, oak, cherry. That said, citrus peel (orange, lemon, etc.) is fantastic. I freeze used tea leaves to smoke with as well. Malcom Reed puts a whole onion on the fire.

[Sekaniy]

Great video. I've been working with hickory chips for awhile, and just bought the big chunks. I was going to get cherry next, after this video I might try pecan now with chicken!

[GrizzAxxemann]

I'm quite fond of a mix of Pecan and Cherry, especially on ribs. Mrs. Axxemann is a huge fan of big, heavy, hickory smoke bombs.

[mmmben]

In Texas smoking, it's always mesquite and, like you say, it works best at high temps. They do low and slow cooks, controlling temperature with distance from the fire, keeping the fire hot. Won't work with a Weber!

[markiz]

Hello, I would like to create my own custom mix which I plan to use mainly for adding a smoky flavor to some of my aged whole muscle and salamis. I am thinking of using hickory, pecan, apple, and cherry pellets.
I wonder if it would be a good idea to mix all four and in what proportions I should mix it. Thanks in advance for your advice.

[gebronthomasson]

Mesquite is perfect for steaks and burgers.. only thing i use.. but we cook ours rare to med rare.. like a good sear on outside but still super red or blue in my wife’s case.. super hot super short cook..

[SirVivalDotKom]

Would you recommend silver maple for smoking?

[kevinbongard]

Should the bark be removed or once it's been burning and getting clean smoke does it not matter

Another great video

[kenholcomb]

Have you ever used pistachio wood to cook on or smoke with? I have about 2 cords of cut and split pistachio wood and 1 wheelbarrow full of chunks roughly 3 inches cubed. Been drying out this past spring, idk if I'll use it to cook with or just keep warm this winter

[ngatiramona]

Wonderful video, Sir! Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and expertise. 👏👏👏

[thekiddocook]

Can i use lychee wood. Its alot cheaper than all those imported woods such as oak and hickory here in thailand. Iam able to buy 9kg worth of lychee logs for the price of 5kg oak wood chunk which is imported.

[ranmangolf]

Ever try Ash wood? I heard it burns well if green

[poocruncha]

craigslist is full of free wood and other items!