| Wood type |
Characteristics |
Use with |
| Acacia |
From the same family as mesquite, but not as
strong. |
Most meats, especially beef. Most vegetables. |
| Alder |
Very delicate with a hint of sweetness. |
Good with fish, pork, poultry, and light-meat
game birds. |
| Almond |
A nutty and sweet smoke flavor, light ash. |
Good with all meats. |
| Apple |
Slightly sweet but denser, fruity smoke
flavor. |
Beef, poultry, game birds, pork (particularly
ham). |
| Apricot |
The flavor is milder and sweeter than hickory.
|
Good on most meats. |
| 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 |
Slightly sweet, fruity smoke flavor. |
Good with all meats. |
| Cottonwood |
Very subtle in flavor. |
Good with most meats. |
| Grape vines |
Aromatic, similar to fruit woods. |
Good with all meats. |
| Grapefruit |
Medium smoke flavor with a hint of fruitiness.
|
Excellent with beef, pork and poultry |
| Hickory |
Pungent, smoky, bacon-like flavor. The most
common wood used! |
Good for all smoking! |
| Lemon |
Medium smoke flavor with a hint of fruitiness.
|
Excellent with beef, pork and poultry |
| Lilac |
Very light, subtle with a hint of floral. |
Good with seafood and lamb |
| Maple |
Mildly smoky, somewhat sweet flavor. |
Good with pork, poultry, cheese, and small
game birds |
| Mesquite |
Strong earthy flavor. |
Most meats, especially beef. Most vegetables. |
| Mulberry |
The smell is sweet and reminds one of apple. |
Beef, poultry, game birds, pork (particularly
ham). |
| Nectarine |
The flavor is milder and sweeter than hickory.
|
Good on most meats. |
| Oak |
The second most popular wood to use. Heavy
smoke flavor. Red Oak is considered the best by many pitmasters. |
Good with red meat, pork, fish and heavy game.
|
| Orange |
Medium smoke flavor with a hint of fruitiness.
|
Excellent with beef, pork, poultry
and fish/seafood. |
| Peach |
Slightly sweet, woodsy flavor. |
Good on most meats. |
| Pear |
Slightly sweet, woodsy flavor. |
Poultry, game birds, pork. |
| Pecan |
Similar to hickory, but not as strong. |
Good for most needs. |
| Plum |
The flavor is milder and sweeter than hickory.
|
Good on most meats. |
| Walnut |
Very heavy smoke flavor, usually mixed with
lighter wood like pecan or apple. Can be bitter if used alone. |
Good with red meats and game. |
