|
Acacia |
Mild |
Has a similar flavor as Mesquite but not quite as heavy |
Beef, pork, poultry, vegetables |
|
Alder |
Mild |
Very delicate with a hint of sweetness. Traditionally used in the pacific Northwest to smoke Salmon. |
fish, pork, poultry, and light-meat game birds |
|
Almond |
Strong |
A nutty and sweet smoke flavor, light ash |
Beef, pork, poultry, fish, game |
|
Apple |
Strong |
Sweet, fruity smoke. Strongest of the fruit woods. |
Beef, pork, ham, poultry, game birds |
|
Apricot |
Mild |
The flavor is milder and sweeter than hickory |
Pork, poultry, fish, game birds |
|
Ash |
Mild |
Fast burning, light but distinctive flavor |
Beef, fish |
|
Beech |
Mild |
A mild wood much like oak
|
Beef, pork, fish |
|
Birch |
Mild |
Medium hardwood with a flavor similar to maple |
Pork, poultry |
|
Blackberry |
Mild |
Slightly sweet and delicate flavor |
Poultry, game birds
|
|
Butternut |
Very Strong |
Strong smoke, like walnut, bitter when used alone |
Beef, pork, venison, game |
|
Cherry |
Mild |
Sweet fruity smoke that gives a rosy tint to light meats |
Beef, pork, poultry, fish, game birds |
|
Chestnut |
Mild |
Slightly sweet, nutty smoke flavor |
Beef, pork, game |
|
Crabapple |
Strong |
Similar to apple. Provides lots of smoke. Rich and fruity |
Beef, poultry, game |
|
Fig |
Mild |
Mild and fruity like mulberry |
Beef, pork, poultry, fish, game birds |
|
Grapefruit |
Mild |
Produces a nice, mild smoky flavor |
Beef, pork, poultry, fish |
|
Grape Vines |
Mild |
Aromatic, similar to fruit wood |
Beef, pork, poultry, fish
|
|
Guava |
Mild |
Flowery fruity taste similar to apple |
Beef, pork, poultry, fish, game, game birds |
|
Hickory |
Strong |
Pungent, smoky, bacon-like flavor. The most common wood used |
Beef, pork, poultry, fish, game |
|
Kiawe |
Mild |
Hawaiian mesquite of sorts although somewhat milder |
Beef, pork, fish |
|
Lemon |
Mild |
A tangy, citrus smoke. Medium smoke flavor with a hint of fruitiness |
Beef, pork, poultry |
|
Lilac |
Mild |
Very light, subtle with a hint of floral |
Fish, lamb |
|
Lime |
Mild |
Medium smoke flavor with a hint of fruitiness |
Beef, pork, poultry |
|
Mesquite
|
Strong |
Spicy, strong earthy flavor, very distinctive smoke of Southwest cooking |
Beef, pork, poultry, fish, game |
|
Mulberry |
Mild |
Sweet, tangy, blackberry smoke flavor |
Pork, ham, poultry, game birds |
|
Nectarine |
Mild |
The flavor is milder and sweeter than hickory |
Pork, poultry, fish |
|
Oak |
Mild |
Heavy smoke with no after-taste, gives a wonderful smoked color |
Beef, pork, poultry, fish, game |
|
Olive |
Mild |
The smoke flavor is similar to mesquite, but distinctly lighter |
Poultry, game birds |
|
Orange |
Mild |
Tangy citrus smoke – great with seafood, gives foods golden color |
Pork, poultry, fish, game birds, cheese |
|
Peach
|
Mild |
Slightly sweet, woodsy flavor |
Beef, pork, poultry, fish |
|
Pear |
Mild |
Slightly sweet, woodsy flavor
|
Poultry, game birds and pork |
|
Pecan |
Mild |
Similar to hickory but milder and sweeter with a nut after-taste |
Beef, pork, poultry, fish, game
|
|
Persimmon |
Mild |
Medium flavor smoke |
Beef, pork, poultry
|
|
Pimento |
Strong |
This wood adds a natural and somewhat peppery flavor |
Poultry, fish |
|
Plum |
Mild |
The flavor is milder and sweeter than hickory
|
Beef, pork, poultry |
|
Sassafras |
Mild |
Musky, sweet smoke with a root beer after-taste
|
Beef, pork, poultry, game birds |
|
Sugar Maple |
Mild |
Very mild, a sweet light smoke |
Pork, ham, poultry, cheese, game birds |
|
Walnut (Black) |
Very Strong |
Very heavy smoke flavor, usually mixed with lighter woods like pecan or apple. Can be bitter if used alone |
Beef, pork, game meat, venison |
|
Walnut (English) |
Very Strong |
Very heavy smoke flavor. Can be bitter if used alone |
Beef, pork, venison, game |