Question about smoking

[pennz]

I just picked up a offset smoker for $20.00. Cleaned it up  added a new thermometer works good. I smoked some pork ribs on Easter Sunday.the ribs came out very juicy. I used mesquite lump charcoal along with some apple chips. I think the mesquite gave the ribs a very strong taste. Would it be better to use a hardwood lump charcoal or maybe just straight wood. Like a fruit type of wood? This was my first time using a smoker, I think I did OK. Any help out there?

 

[Bearcarver]

If you don't want the smoke flavor too strong, use anything but Mesquite.

I use Hickory for 90% of my smokes, but I love smoky flavor.

Also keep a very light smoke-----Billowing heavy white smoke will give you a bitter creosote flavor.

Bear

 

[bbqbrett]

I like a good combo of charcoal and wood.  Like Bearcarver says mesquite is very strong.  Like him, I also like hickory but it is too strong for some people.  You might try using a regular or lump charcoal and then try the apple wood or maybe cherry.