[lecheminant]

I have a bit of experience using some of the standard woods; pecan, mesquite, and hickory.  I am wanting to try different types like apple, cherry, maple, oak, and citrus.  I was hoping to get pointed in the right direction as far as what wood combinations you experts would recommend and for what.  Any help would be appreciated.

[AzScott]

I like to add citrus to chicken and beef.  Walnut is also good with just about everything.  I mix some woods depending on what I'm cooking like apple and cherry for ribs or pecan and citrus for brisket.   

[lecheminant]

I'll have to try the citrus and pecan.  Is that a 50/50 split

[BERRY-BRO]

If your talking about COMBINATIONS of wood for different flavors, always remember that a "heavy" wood will overpower a "light" wood.... the heavies include Mesquite, Hickory, and Oak, the light would include the Apples, Cherries and other fruit woods.....for example if you are going to combine the Oak with some Cherry wood chances are the Cherry wood would not even be noticed! Now if you are trying to save a couple of bucks and you have plenty of the more inexpensive wood on hand (Mesquite for example), by all means, burn it down for your coal base, then add the pricier wood (Cherry for example) for flavoring, I hope this makes sense, I know it's easier for me to explain in person, so if you ever want to pick my brain about cooking woods, feel free to call me, Thomas, at Berry Bros. Firewood 602-244-0000

[Jaybird]

Hey Thomas, I will be out next week to get a shortbed truckload of pecan!!

[azkitch]

I used to work just blocks from Thomas' lot, and I enjoyed rambling in there, just to chat. I had to be careful, cuz I talk too much, and he's a busy man...but what time we could 'burn' up, was very informative.

[PAT YOUNG]

If i was still in the south, i would burn mostly hickory, but since i live in the WHITE MOUNTAINS oak is my fav. due to the fact that the forest is loaded with it -I also use apple quite a bit for pork! I do mix sometimes when needed for whatever meat i am cooking- i only use mesquite for hot fires, like cooking steaks, burgers, etc. I totally agree with THOMAS about using strong flavored woods for a coal base , then add mild woods for that sweet smoke flavor!! I love the smell of my pits when i walk by- reminds me of my childhood and all the great bbq that i had from bbq shacks along side the road!

[Crash]

I dont think you can really go wrong with an Apple/Cherry combo for pork anything, although Sugar Maple is pretty good on Pork as well. 

[lecheminant]

Thanks for the help so far.  I just tried apple for the first time this weekend on some spare ribs.  I decided to just do plain apple to get a better feel for its flavor.  It turned out pretty good.  I love the sweet smoke flavor.  I agree about the mesquite; its good for grilling, not smoking.  Since I seem to have an endless supply of free mesquite I took Thomas's advise and burned it down for my coal base (normally I use oak lump and add the smoking wood once a coal base is started)  It worked well.  I was afraid I would still taste  mesquite, but I only tasted the apple.  Thanks for the advise. 

My in-laws have a cherry tree in northern AZ that died last year.  In a few weeks I am going to visit and plan on cutting it down.  I think on my next smoke I will try Crash's suggestion and do an apple/cherry combination for pulled pork.

I also have a lot of pecan (my favorite all around smoke, so far).  I have heard of mixing pecan and apple, but will pecan do well mixed with cherry?  Also AZScott brought up citrus.  Is citrus a strong smoke and what does it taste like (probably like citrus, but is there anything I should know)

[azkitch]

I believe most of the fruit woods have similar tastes. I've got some citrus, but I couldn't detect difference in flavor. I need to try some more...Pecan/cherry should work fine. I'd like to try it someday.

[RangerJurena]

for what its worth, I'm a straight up Pecan afficinado.  No chance of your meat being overpowered and while it does not burn hot, it is a hardwood so it burns a long time.

[z98dog]

Do the different citrus have unique flavors? I have a mostly dead grapefruit tree, and some dead lemon branches. I also have some orange and tangerine trees too, so I guess I will have to try them all at one time or another, once I get the NBBD going.

[richoso12]

I like to combine mesquite with apple or cherry. I prefer cherry for chicken, these fruitwoods also work well with hickory. It's all good my friend.

[tbonejc]

I gotta tell you.  I love my combination of apple and maple for my ribs.  Smoke smells awesome.  Tastes even better.