What do y'all think about oak?

steadyeddie · Jan 4, 2013

I used oak chips this past weekend on baby backs on my MES30 and I was REALLY happy with it. It's got this complex flavor to it, it's a good smoke, not subtle, you KNOW it's been smoked, but not overbearing or harsh like mesquite can be.

I had used apple wood chips on a rack of baby backs and found it was too suble, maybe it was me? I don't know. I've done hickory or mesquite for years, mainly because that's what my store carries. But now they're stocking oak and pecan and apple. I've always liked pecan also, might mix some of that in with oak.

But I'm really liking oak right now.

roadkill cafe · Jan 4, 2013

I love Oak. I prefer it over hickory. Tried Pecan recently and like that too. New Years Day I did a double-smoked ham and mixed the Pecan & Apple and it was awesome.

bbq bill · Jan 4, 2013

Being from Kentucky, we use hickory and oak. Both are strong flavors, but make for some great BBQ once you get used to using them. I live in Florida now and use primarily pecan. Just like oak and hickory, pecan has good flavor, but after being used to hickory and oak I had to get used to it.

mneeley490 · Jan 4, 2013

I use oak primarily with beef. Especially good with roasts.

steadyeddie · Jan 4, 2013

Pecan is great stuff too, very smooth flavor but not overly mild. I like pecan for chicken.

daniekr1 · Jan 4, 2013

I live in Arkansas and we have an abundance of many types of oak. I generally use oak for the main burning and accent with a stick of hickory, pecan, apple wood, maple wood, or just recently used some wild cherry and it was literally awesome. I am still experimenting on the best combo for the large smoker that I built, but I think I like the wild cherry the best so far. You can never go wrong with pecan in my opinion.

johnnyrockford · Jan 4, 2013

I agree with mneely490. I used oak for the first time new years day on a beef roast. Only used 2 small chunks but it gave the meat a whole new level of flavor.....sorry I just drooled all over the keyboard.... Until then, I've only used hickory so I didn't know what to expect. Use it sparingly the first couple times until you get used to it.

Have fun

goinforbroke · Jan 4, 2013

I like oak for stick burning because its that 'middle of the road' wood that's all over the place around here. Good for making coals, and cheap fuel for when things are foiled up. Helps save my harder-to-get wood in between City boy here..

smoking b · Jan 4, 2013

Chalk up another guy who likes oak - especially on ribs as you've noticed. It makes some pretty good salt too

phidelt1736 · Jan 5, 2013

I've only really used oak on beef and i do really like it. I've been using peach wood on ribs and am very happy with the results.

jarjarchef · Jan 5, 2013

At home I primarily use oak. Basically it is free around here, so the price is right. :biggrin:
My favorite combination is some oak with a bit of orange wood. To me that is the cats meow.......

But when we we oak chips at work, it is a different flavor then I get at home. Thinking different variety of oak.

cooknhogz · Jan 8, 2013

I've herd white oak is better than red oak for smoking. Can anybody comment on this? I have a few friends that are loggers and cutting red oak and hickory and I can cut all the tops I want.

woodcutter · Jan 8, 2013

Cooknhogz said:
I've herd white oak is better than red oak for smoking. Can anybody comment on this? I have a few friends that are loggers and cutting red oak and hickory and I can cut all the tops I want.

I've narrowed it down to apple, red maple and red oak. About 90% of the time I use red oak.

black05tj · Jan 8, 2013

I was in Academy looking for Pecan the other night, and almost picked up a bag of Oak. After reading this thread I may have to go back...

humdinger · Jan 8, 2013

GoinForBroke said:
I like oak for stick burning because its that 'middle of the road' wood that's all over the place around here. Good for making coals, and cheap fuel for when things are foiled up. Helps save my harder-to-get wood in between City boy here..

I like oak for the same reasons. I usually accent it with a fruit wood though, as i do with hickory and mesquite. It all depends on what mood I'm in that day. I like to experiment with different blends.

flash · Jan 9, 2013

Most popular wood out there for smoking.

And red is better than white. Seems to be more flavorful. Turkey oak, black jack, blue jack are my favs. Try mixing it with Cherry.

cooknhogz · Jan 10, 2013

Sweet, red oak it is. I can cut all I can hull. Its nice to live in the country and have the opportunity to get all the free wood you want. In the last month I've cut a ton of apple, shagbark hickory, and hard maple.

flash · Jan 10, 2013

Down in North Florida I can get plenty of Oak (Red or White), Pecan and Cherry. As you state, it is nice to live in the Country.

frosty · Jan 10, 2013

I generally use Pecan, but toss in some Oak from time to time. Great wood, not to strong, but has nice flavor and aroma.

Either way, good luck!

swinn · Jan 10, 2013

I use oak all the time, and throw a little fruit or nut wood in for another level of flavor but oak is my base for smoke most of the time.

What do y'all think about oak?

Newbie

Smoking Fanatic

Smoke Blower

Master of the Pit

Newbie

Newbie

Smoke Blower

Smoke Blower

Smoking Guru

Newbie

Master of the Pit

Meat Mopper

Master of the Pit

Newbie

Master of the Pit

Smoking Guru

Meat Mopper

Smoking Guru

Master of the Pit

Newbie

Similar threads

Hot Threads