Wood

[bbrock]

I was wanting to know if any body has used or uses any red oak wood. I have never used any my self. I just have used hickory on my butts and ribs. I was wanting to know if there are any similarities between hickory and red oak. Thanks for any info..

 

[fire it up]

Hey BBrock.
There is a sticky in the "Woods for Smoking" section where Dutch has a list of most kinds of wood for smoking.

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/for...t=50439&page=6
Says red oak is good on ribs but I'm sure it would be fine on whatever you smoke it with.

 

[waysideranch]

Some folks swear oak is better than hickory. I'm a hickory fan. Good luck.

 

[bwsmith_2000]

Oak is great for smoking! As you probably know there are a lot of different kinds of oak ..... including red oak. And all of them are great for smoking. In my opinion the oak is not quite as strong as hickory. Like you I usually use hickory but there are certainly lots of other woods to use. Enjoy!

 

[alx]

I use red oak all the time.I use mostly woods i can cut local-Hickory,red and white oak,apple and cherry.

Red oak is milder then the hickory i cut-Pignut and Bitternut and on occasion shagbark.

They are similiar as a wood that provide a good deep base flavor that I compliment with friut woods like cherry,apple etc.

I also like the fact i can cut up cords of these woods for high B.T.U. wood stove fuel.

I use red oak in 30%-50% of smokes.Important to season these woods properly.

 

[sumosmoke]

Get as much as you can and season 'em up! That is a great wood for smoking meats and, as others have said, keep a nice even temp as they burn hot and long.

 

[flash]

I agree. Red Oak is the preferred oak for smoking. White can be use, but Red Oak, such as Turkey Oak, Blackjack, Bluejack, etc are the ones that I use. The color it gives the food is amazing.

 

[earache_my_eye]

True dat!! It definitely adds nice color and gives milder woods like cherry and apple a big flavor boost. Not as strong or 'sharp' as hickory.

Flash, I think your squirrel in that pic should eat some more acorns....maybe it will add a little color to HIM!!....

L8r,
Eric

 

[rickw]

I use red oak all the time, mixed with cherry and mulberry. To me it's a very mild wood to use and does not have that bite some woods tend to have, love it.