Types of Wood for Grilling. There are 13 types of wood most frequently used for grilling: applewood, alder, camphor, cherry, heather, hickory, juniper, maple, mesquite, oak, pecan, straw, and walnut.
What wood is best for grilling?
Hickory. This is the “universal wood” used in BBQ and meat smoking. It’s the popular choice because it can deliver near perfect results and can be easily obtained. The flavor of hickory wood is described as savory, hearty, with almost a bacony tang to it.
Can I use any wood for grilling?
If you are using a charcoal grill or smoker, then you can either put the wood directly on the coals (once they’ve heated up) or place them in a box. Experiment a little and find out what works best for you. Generally speaking, any wood that is hard and free of resin (or sap) is good for making smoke.
What is the best wood to grill steaks?
The following are some of the best woods for grilling steak:
- Apple Wood. One of the best woods that you can use for grilling steak is applewood, which is quite similar to cherry wood. …
- Hickory Wood. …
- Mesquite Wood. …
- Oak Wood. …
- Cherry Wood. …
- Pecan Wood. …
- Maple Wood.
What wood should you not smoke with?
Avoid wood from conifers such as pine, redwood, fir, spruce, cypress, or cedar. These trees contain high levels of sap and turpenes, which results in a funny taste and can make people sick. Cedar planks are popular for cooking salmon, but don’t burn the wood for smoke.
Should I soak my wood chips?
In truth, soaking your wood chips and chunks isn’t necessary and here’s why. Wood chips and chunks that have been soaked have to get rid of any moisture before they can produce smoke. … There is not enough moisture to produce significant steam or smoke, however, it will produce delightful flavor on your food.
What’s the best wood to smoke fish?
Alder Wood Chips: Alder is probably the best wood chips for fish. Alder smoke has an earthy sweet aroma and flavor and is perfect for smoking salmon and other fish, even for smoking shrimp. The best wood chips for smoking fish would be alder and applewood chips in a 50/50 blend.
Can you grill with just wood chips?
Just like spices, you can combine different types of wood chips to enhance your grilled fare. It’s easy to do. Soak the wood chips for about two hours. Then put the moist wood chips in a smoker box attachment on gas grills or directly on the coals for charcoal barbecues.
Can I grill with wood instead of charcoal?
You can absolutely use both firewood and charcoal in your grill. When using both types of fuel, though, it’s recommended that you use wood smoking chunks rather than logs.
Can you use any wood for cooking?
Type of Wood
Dried hardwoods, fruitwoods, and nut woods, are the best for cooking. Softwoods such as pine, redwood, fir, cedar and cypress are not ideal for cooking because they contain terpenes and sap. … For your safety, it is important that you don’t use any wood that is moldy, painted, or from lumber scraps.
How do you cook steak on a wood grill?
Grill the steaks uncovered over high heat for about 3 minutes per side. Do not move the steaks or press on them. Tongs work well (Never use a fork!) When the 3 minutes per side are up, turn and move to medium heat, rotating the steaks 180 degrees to get crisscross grill marks.
Is it better to grill with charcoal or wood?
When compared to charcoal, cooking wood offers a better flavor. … However, most people will agree that grilled food tastes better when cooking wood is used as the fuel rather than briquette or lump charcoal. As the cooking wood burns, it will release flavorful smoke that’s absorbed by your food.
What wood is best for cooking?
Hardwoods such as oak, ash and beech are best for cooking heat, as they provide a good long burn and can give a great flavour too. Fruit woods such as apple can also provide fantastic flavour. Softwoods such as spruce and pine will burn faster and at times may be too hot.
What wood can you smoke out of?
“The wood variety matters less than how you burn it. And while each wood variety produces smoke with a slightly different color and flavor, if your new to smoking, the major hardwoods (hickory, oak, apple, cherry and maple) all work equally well.”
Do you keep adding wood chips when smoking?
Keep putting wood chips in your smoker for half the cook time or until your meat reaches 140 degrees Fahrenheit. If your wood chips burn too quickly, soak them in water for about 30-60 minutes before using them.
Can you use ash wood to smoke meat?
ASH – Fast burner, light but distinctive flavor. Good with fish and red meats. … Use it for fuel but use some chunks of other woods (hickory, oak, pecan) for more flavor. Don’t use green cottonwood for smoking.