Using Barbecue Wood

• There's a method to barbecuing properly and getting the best results. Understanding how different woods suit some meats better than others is part of the skill. Use one type of wood each time. A barbecue pit is a good place to burn larger logs as the fire can get quite high. Once the flames have died down and the logs are red-hot, it's time to begin cooking meat or vegetables over it.
  
  

Woods For Barbecuing Fish, Meat and Poultry

• Meats will develop a variety of smoked flavors according to the wood you use. Some hardwoods are especially recommended for grilling or smoking specific meats.
  
  Mesquite has a strong flavor so care must be taken that the smoke does not infuse the meat or fish; use only a small amount of this wood and combine it with another wood when attempting to smoke meats. Cherry adds a slightly sweet, fruity flavor. Alder is an excellent wood for smoking salmon and can also be used for other fish and meats; it has a slightly sweet, delicate taste. Apple wood adds a gentle, fruity flavor. Pecan produces a spicy, fruity taste and gives good results when used to smoke large pieces of meat that require longer time. Maple gives a mild, smoky taste. Hickory is the most famous of smoking woods and gives a strong or sweet flavor. Oak produces a medium, smoke flavor and is good for smoking larger pieces of meat over a long period of time.
  
  

Matching Wood to Meat or Vegetables

• To bring out the best flavor in meats you have to know which woods go best with specific meats when barbecuing or smoking. Some popular combinations are well known. For fish use mesquite, cherry (salmon and other fish), alder (also good for smoking salmon), apple or pecan. For poultry use pecan, hickory, alder, apple (best for chicken or turkey), cherry, maple or mesquite (best for chicken). For pork and red meat use mesquite (beef), maple (ham), apple (ham), hickory (red meats), pecan or oak. For vegetables use maple wood.
  
  

Where to Find Wood

• If you live in a rural area, you can gather your own wood. If you own land, you may have the right trees growing there. If obtaining wood from someone else's property, ask permission from the owner. Chop the wood up into small logs. Alternatively, purchase logs or smaller pieces from the store, choosing the flavor you want. Experiment by barbecuing with different woods to find your favorite flavor.