Oak, White vs. Red

[Tom A.]

Can anyone tell the the differences (if any) in flavor between red and white oak.

There is a local guy selling seasoned smoke wood in the Atlanta area (Craigs list search: weber). He is also offering pecan, fig, hickory, black walnut, cherry and red oak.

I have only used apple, cherry and white oak in the past. Does anyone have experience using these other woods?

Thanks,
T

 

[Dave from Denver]

Out of all those woods I'm not sure if black walnut is actually a viable smoke wood. You may want to do some more research.

Pecan and Hickory are both very popular smoke woods. Hickory is most likely the most commonly-used smoke wood for BBQ everywhere. Almost all my smokes besides fish, tri tip, and pastrami include hickory smoke wood. As you probably already know, Cherry is amazing for chicken and pork. Fig is a fruit-bearing hardwood so it should be fine.

Red oak is my favorite wood for beef, and is used in Santa Maria Tri Tip beef, which is one of the best ways to make roast beef on the grill/smoker. I use the heck out of red oak.

 

[George Curtis]

most oak are very close to each other. red oak is used for santa maria style cooking cuz thats what they had in the area. for me we use valley oak(which is protected in many places) as its the main oak here.

 

[Dave Russell]

I could well be mistaken, but I might've read somewhere that red was the stronger of the two. I know that old time basters like Smoky Hale recommend not using two much hickory, more oak, since it's a little milder, and I really like what the post oak and live oak smoke does for Texas brisket.

 

[Shaun R]

Don't forget me Flaco! <span class="ev_code_RED">MR. OAKMAN</span>

I love red oak for pork mainly and I do believe it is stronger than any other oak. I will add black walnut is amazing on beef. Do a tri tip or chuck roll with it and you'll see what I mean. I keep both on hand. But because I do more chicken and seafood than anything I use manzanita and mesquite. I know some people hate mesquite, but somehow I grew to love the stuff?