wood for Cornish hens

[raastros2]

Hey fellas whats everybody burn when they do cornish hens

 

[raastros2]

Or any kind of bird in general

 

[shoneyboy]

I've used Oak and Pecan so far. I really like them both......

 

[diggingdogfarm]

IMHO, apple is best for poultry, but, of course, it's a personal thing, there are certainly other woods that'll also work well.


~Martin

 

[raastros2]

Hickory isnt too pungent for chicken huh

 

[tdwester]

I like any fruit wood for poultry.

 

[rstr hunter]

Cherry is great

 

[shoneyboy]

Hickory isnt too pungent for chicken huh

raastros2, IMHO, it can be...but like DiggingDogFarm said, It's up to personal taste too....I some what like a little milder flavors with poultry...

 

[raastros2]

thanks guys....i got some alder i think iama try

 

[mdboatbum]

Hickory's good for poultry if you're going hot and fast. A Cornish hen at 325˚ won't be in the smoke long enough to pick up too much strong flavor, so hickory or mesquite wouldn't be overpowering. If you're going low and slow (and I'm not sure why you'd want to) then mild is best.

 

[flash]

Not so sure about Oak, might be a little strong, but many types of oaks out there. Any of the fruitwoods are good.  Cherry, orange, peach, nectarine, plum...... but I use pecan the most.

 

[raastros2]

low and slow is the point of smoking man......nothing over 225-230

 

[flash]

low and slow is the point of smoking man......nothing over 225-230

But not necessary for Poultry. Chicken has so little fat. It does not really benefit much from the low and slow. I usually try to mix it. Doing low temps for a couple hours to achieve smoke flavor, then cranking it up to crisp up the skin.