Flavored Cooking Woods
These woods can be used on any type of grill you have, whether it’s gas, electric, or charcoal.
The only two decisions you have to make are what flavor you want, and whether you should use chunks or chips. It’s advisable to soak what ever wood you choose in water, and by doing so, the wood produces more smoke and by doing so, your foods develop more flavor.
As far as what size woods to use, chunks are best used if you have a large grill, and where there is ample space between the fire grate and grilling grate for the chunks.
Chips tend to be the stand by, and can be used in any grill. If you choose to use chips in a large grill, you obviously will need more, and they will burn up much more quickly. The best way to use chips is to use a smoke box (A metal box with holes in it) and place it on the fuel source between the fire grate and grilling grate. If a smoke box is not available, you can put the wood chips in aluminum foil and completely enclose them in the foil. Next you should punch pencil size holes in the aluminum foil, as this will allow the smoke to escape and flavor your foods from the chips in the aluminum foil.
The last choice you have to make is what flavor wood to use. Below is a chart which is a guide for what woods can be used with various foods. Again it is only a guide, and you’ll find some of the best grilling you do is by experimenting with the various flavored woods and coming up with your own secret recipe.
WOOD | FLAVOR | USE WITH | CHIPS | CHUNKS | ||
CHERRY | subtle, fruity, slightly sweet | poultry, pork, beef |
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APPLE | subtle, fruity, slightly sweet | poultry, pork |
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HICKORY | sweet, strong and hearty | poultry, pork, red meats |
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MAPLE | smokey mellow, slightly sweet | poultry, pork, game, cheese |
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MESQUITE | Earthy | poultry, fish, meat |
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GRAPEVINE | Aromatic milder/sweeter than hickory similar to fruitwood | good with everything | x | x | ||
ALMOND | Nutty and sweet | Red Meat | x | x | ||
OLIVE | Like mesquite but lighter | good with everything | x | x | ||
PEAR | Sweet and Fruity | beef, poultry and pork | x | x | ||
PLUM | Sweet and fruity | beef, poultry and pork | x | x | ||
BEECHNUT | Sweet and Nutty | beef, poultry and pork | x | x | ||
PECAN | Nutty and Sweet | steaks, ribs and cheese | x | x |