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Wood used for grilling and smoking, Information

Firewood

Approximate BTU Content (dry)

1 pound of wood = 6,000 - 7,200 BTU
1 pounds of coal = 12,000 BTU
1 pound of fuel oil = 18,000 BTU

General Rule

1 cord of dry wood = 1 ton of coal = 200 gallons of fuel oil

*140,000 BTU per gallon of fuel oil.

Fuel Required for Heat Equivalent to 1,000 Cubic Feet of Natural Gas
Fuel Amount / units
Natural gas 1,000 cu feet
Butane gas 10.2 gallons
Propane gas 11.0 gallons
#2 Fuel oil 6.7 gallons
Bituminous coal 68 pounds
Hardwood (oak) dry 1000 pounds

BTU Comparison Table of various smoking woods

Species BTUs (relative values)

Almond

23.5

Peach and Plum

28 to 32.5

Mesquite 30.2

Oak

36.5

Pecan

22.5

Hickory 32.4

 

Smoking wood characteristics from the Weber web site

Wood Type

Characteristics

Good Food Matches


Hickory

Pungent, smoky, bacon-like flavor.

Pork, chicken, beef, wild game, cheeses.

Pecan

Rich and more subtle than hickory, but similar in taste. Burns cool, so ideal for very low heat smoking.

Pork, chicken, lamb, fish, cheeses.

Mesquite

Sweeter, more delicate flavor than hickory. Tends to burn hot, so use carefully.

Most meats, especially beef. Most vegetables.

Alder

Delicate flavor that enhances lighter meats.

Salmon, swordfish, sturgeon, other fish. Also good with chicken and pork.

Oak

Forthright but pleasant flavor. Blends well with a variety of textures and flavors.

Beef (particularly brisket), poultry, pork.

Maple

Mildly smoky, somewhat sweet flavor. Try mixing maple with corncobs for ham or bacon.

Poultry, vegetables, ham.

Cherry

Slightly sweet, fruity smoke flavor.

Poultry, game birds, pork.

Apple

Slightly sweet but denser, fruity smoke flavor.

Beef, poultry, game birds, pork (particularly ham).

Peach or Pear

Slightly sweet, woodsy flavor.

Poultry, game birds, pork.

Grape vines

Aromatic, similar to fruit woods.

Turkey, chicken, beef.

Wine barrel chips

Wine and oak flavors. A flavorful novelty that smells wonderful, too.

Beef, turkey, chicken, cheeses.

Seaweed

Tangy and smoky flavors. (Wash and dry in sun before use.)

Lobster, crab, shrimp, mussels, clams.

Herbs & spices (bay leaves, rosemary, garlic, mint, orange or lemon peels, whole nutmeg, cinnamon sticks, and others)

Vary from spicy (bay leaves or garlic) to sweet (other seasonings), delicate to mild. Generally, herbs and spices with higher oil content will provide stronger flavoring. Soak branches and stems in water before adding to fire. They burn quickly, so you may need to replenish often.

Vegetables, cheeses, and a variety of small pieces of meat (lighter and thin-cut meats, fish steaks and fillets, and kabobs).