8.2 To bark or not to bark-------------------- [When I smoke with a wood fire, should I leave the bark on or remove it?] Beverly Collins-- I learned the hard way--ruining some good meat in my smoker by leaving on the bark. Now I save the pieces with the bark on and use for my grilled meat. Seems to work fine there where I am depending on burning the wood to coals instead of smoking. ============== Rick Thead-- I don't worry about the bark. I've read posts that said to take it off. It might depend on the nature of the fire. As I've said, I prefer a clean burn and can get away with the bark on since I have a large smoker. Under these conditions, I don't find that I have a problem with the bark. On other types of smokers, there might be a problem with bitter taste. ============== M. Bedouin-- To me it doesn't make a difference--bark on or off. ============== Harry Jiles-- IMHO, the bark can add a bitter taste to the meat. Someone else might know more about this and can correct me if I am wrong, but I was told this was due to the tannic acid which the bark contains. I remove all bark from the wood I use in my smoker. ============== Ed Pawlowski-- There was a discussion in 1996 on the List about bark giving the meat a bitter taste. If I recall, it was never completely settled. I leave the bark on the wood if it does not come off easy. Can't say as I ever noticed a taste difference, bark on or bark off. ============== Rodney Leist-- Like green vs. dry, this debate is never over. Most folks probably don't think too much about this one but some feel the burning bark can produce a bitter taste. You decide.
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