Everything you need to know about smoking wood

Jason Webster
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Did you know that there’s a variety of "smoking" wood pellets you can buy and use for your outdoor grill?

Whether you need a BBQ smoker to pair with your patio or a stovetop smoker for tailgating or entertaining, smoking wood pellets can be the answer you’re looking for.

Before you go out and buy some, though, take a look at our bluetooth smoker reviews below that will guide and prepare you.

NameCategoryProduct
The Woodhaven 8 Foot Firewood Log RackBest OverallThe Woodhaven 8 Foot Firewood Log Rack
Weber 17139 Apple Wood ChunksBudget PickWeber 17139 Apple Wood Chunks
The Woodhaven 3 Foot Firewood Log RackUpgrade PickThe Woodhaven 3 Foot Firewood Log Rack

1. The Woodhaven 8 Foot Firewood Log Rack

Our rating: 9 / 10

The Woodhaven 8 Foot Firewood Log Rack

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Pros:

  • Heavy and durable
  • Comes with a cover that allows it to be used in wet weather
  • Increases the efficiency of splitting with its hand-holds
  • A great option for keeping your firewood dry and protected from weather
  • A 1-inch gap between log racks can make it easier to split

The Woodhaven firewood log rack is the perfect option for keeping your firewood neatly stacked and dry. It is an 8-foot set that holds up to 4-8 cords of wood inside of it.

The rack features an extra-thick base and heavy duty steel construction. It is perfect for either indoor or outdoor use, and includes a weather-resistant cover. The base is built with a lip that overhangs the ground so rain won’t get in.

This allows the wood to breathe better and last longer. The wire will keep out pests, and there is a handle on each log so you can easily pull your firewood out.

2. Weber 17139 Apple Wood Chunks

Our rating: 9 / 10

Weber 17139 Apple Wood Chunks

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Pros:

  • Easily burns for approximately 2-3 hours
  • It gives you the opportunity to choose the level of smoke flavor you want to achieve
  • You can get it in different quantities

Smoking wood is a fantastic way to add that barbeque flavor to your pulled pork, loin, ribs, chicken, or turkey. It’s going to fill your kitchen with that signature smokey aroma that you love. The difference is that you can control how much smoke flavor you want.

Weber 17139 is easy to use and allows you to get the exact smoke flavor you want with the right amount of smoke ring.

3. Fiskars 378841-1002 X27 Super

Our rating: 9 / 10

Fiskars 378841-1002 X27 Super

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Pros:

  • 100% forged axe head
  • Classic yet modern design
  • Won’t stain or warp
  • Lightweight and very comfortable to use

If you need to split a lot of wood in one day then you need this axe. It’s a bit pricey, but well worth your money. It’s designed for long hours of work, and being forged from steel it will remain as powerful as the day you bought it.

Its cushioned axe handle absorbs shocks and vibrations while you use it. The axe could definitely match professional logger standards. This axe is a pleasure to use, even after working for eight hours.

It’s well balanced, doesn’t take a great toll on your muscles and joints, and is sharp enough to cut through anything. This will allow you to chop wood faster than ever.

4. Camerons Products Smoking Wood Chunks

Our rating: 9 / 10

Camerons Products Smoking Wood Chunks

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Pros:

  • Ideal for giving your meats (especially fish, pork, and poultry) a controlled outdoor smoking for that perfect campfire flavor
  • For cooking of fish trout, and seafood
  • For Brisket, pork shoulder or ribs, or to add a rich smoke flavor to chicken
  • There is no ash, and it is free from chemicals

5. The Woodhaven 3 Foot Firewood Log Rack

Our rating: 8 / 10

The Woodhaven 3 Foot Firewood Log Rack

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Pros:

  • Solid construction and elegant design
  • Available in multiple sizes
  • Covered for protection from the wind and rain
  • Easy to assemble
  • Sturdy construction can carry up to 200 pounds

Cons:

  • The screws could have been better quality
  • Will only fit round or oval logs

If you’ve been going to local stores to buy your wood, you probably have a painfully obvious lesson to learn that it’s not very convenient. Buying wood in bulk is significantly better for your wallet. It does require you to have shed space for storing your wood. You also have to find a way to transport it to your house which is not as simple as going to a local mini mart.

We love the Woodhaven 3 Foot Firewood Log Rack with Cover, because it’s designed to make the entire process of buying wood and storing wood much easier.

This is an elegant firewood holder that can store up to 6 face cords of firewood. It features a welded steel construction so it will last for many years to come. It also comes with an attractive black powder coat finish.

6. OLSON DEEPAK Work gloves Leather Gardening Gloves,Good Grip

Our rating: 8 / 10

OLSON DEEPAK Work gloves Leather Gardening Gloves,Good Grip

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Pros:

  • Sustainable construction
  • Tear and puncture resistant
  • Wide straps
  • Attached thumb
  • Nice grip on handles
  • Comfortable
  • Long lasting
  • Easy to clean

Cons:

  • Strap size
  • Material
  • Size

The Olson Deepak Work gloves is one of the best picks for people looking for a great pair of gloves to work with while at home or at a project site. These gloves are made of full grain buffalo hide which means it’s tough enough for heavy work, but soft enough for long-term comfort.

The gloves are very durable and have extra wide straps that help hold the gloves firmly. The fingers have extra padding on the sides to offer protection when you need to work with anything rough. The one-inch webbing attached to the gloves makes them easier to put on.

The Johnson Handy work gloves have a reinforced palm so they can grasp tools, and other objects well. They have reinforced fingertips so you can work with small tools or fetch something out of tight places.

7. Project Smoke

Our rating: 7 / 10

Project Smoke

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Pros:

  • Over 250 pages on smoking meat
  • Contains recipes and techniques to get you started
  • Step-by-step instructions on smoking
  • Tips for adding your own custom touch to smoking sauces
  • Information on equipment and maintenance
  • Tips on smoking different meats such as beef, poultry, wing, pork, and more

Cons:

  • A bit pricey
  • Lots of information to digest

6 Secrets to Smoker Success

Project Smoke will get you hooked on smoking right away, and leave you wanting to start smoking for yourself. The book will teach you all you need to know about the art of smoking meats, from supplies and preparation to customizing your own special rubs, sauces, and marinades. It also talks about outdoor smoking techniques over a ventilated gas or charcoal grill and how to use a smoker.

The first thing you need to do to land your deer carcass on your smoker is to properly hang it for aging. It is recommended that you hang the deer carcass for one to three days before hand and allow the body temperature to drop to around 50 degrees Fahrenheit. You can achieve these results by taking the deer carcass and hanging it from a tree limb in an area where there are minimal breezes.

8. Grabbin Ash Pan

Our rating: 7 / 10

Grabbin Ash Pan

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Pros:

  • The tool can be used to lift the hot ash and coal for disposing
  • It features heat-resistant silicone that’s easy to clean

Cons:

  • You may find it uncomfortable
  • The handle may bend if too much pressure is exerted

Even after learning how to start a fire and tips for smoking, you are still tasked with cleaning your cigarette. If you’re cooking a brisket, chicken, or any other type of meat over smoking wood, it’s going to require more cleaning than usual.

The problem is that if you use the wrong cleaning tool, you could easily ruin your meat and your smoker.

That’s where Grabbin Ash Pan comes in. It’s a dedicated metal tool that was designed to help you remove all the burning ash and hot coals right after cooking. It’s a lot easier to load a hot pan into the bathtub of water.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How do you prepare wood for smoking?

You may (or may not) want to start by splitting the wood into smaller pieces as this would allow for an even heating. Or, you can opt to use a firewood rack which would help you smoke all sides of your meat evenly.

Once your wood is ready, you can then soak it in water for a minimum of 30 minutes although wood specialists suggest you soak it overnight to ensure it’s completely hydrated. Remember not to soak any type of wood that is known to cause tarring and smoking, like pine, cedar, and fir.

Pre-soaking the wood helps to prevent it from drying out too fast and also reduces the amount of time it takes for it to burn.

Some smokers also suggest soaking the wood in a weaker solution of water and vinegar, or lemon vinegar. This is done to aid in the smoking process.

How often do you have to add wood to smoker?

You should add wood as soon as the temperature in the smoker drops below the desired level. The food won’t be too tasty if you have to wait for a long time for the temperature to rise from its normal level.

For food that needs gentle, low heat, you should add wood every 20-30 minutes. If you need longer, you should refit the smoker or the wood skewer.

For food that needs higher heat, you should add wood every 15 minutes or so. Do this until you reach the required temperature.

What is the best wood to smoke with?

There are so many different types of wood out there and it can get pretty confusing trying to pick the best smoking wood. To help you find the best type of wood for smoking check out the table below.

Can any wood be used for smoking?

No, you should not use just any wood for smoking. Different woods lend a particular taste to the food being prepared and to a barbecue. For instance, fruit woods like apple and cherry give the food a sweet taste.

Poplar and alder are used when you want a mild and delicate flavor. For a more robust flavor, hickory, oak, mesquite, and maple are the choice of woods. Woods like pecan, persimmon, and walnut give food a rich flavor. Two or three woods should never be mixed in a smoker fire at the same time. This is because they produce a chemical reaction which can negatively affect the food being prepared.

Conclusion

Smoking is one of the best ways to impart tons of flavor on your meat. It is not hard to learn how to smoke meat, and it takes a lot of experimentation. Some people like sweet BBQ, while others like more savory flavors. You may also want to smoke certain meat cuts like ribs, but not brisket.

Learning how to smoke meat is a lifetime skill that is fun to learn and can be done with your family. It also allows you to avoid chemicals, preservatives, and artificial flavors that are found in store-bought foods.

Our Recommendation

NameCategoryProduct
The Woodhaven 8 Foot Firewood Log RackBest OverallThe Woodhaven 8 Foot Firewood Log Rack
Weber 17139 Apple Wood ChunksBudget PickWeber 17139 Apple Wood Chunks
The Woodhaven 3 Foot Firewood Log RackUpgrade PickThe Woodhaven 3 Foot Firewood Log Rack