What Kind Of Wood Is Best For Smoking Food?

There is no easy way of giving a definitive answer since this is all a matter of personal taste. Personally I like the taste of oak. I have friends that say mesquite or hickory is the only wood they will cook with. However, what I have done is put together a chart below from information I have gathered from around the net. I have paired up types of food with the best woods that compliment them well and provided a short description of the characteristics of that wood. This has no scientific merit but it is a compilation of what I have found by reading many many recipes from some of the best grill masters around the county. So here it goes:

Wood Type	Characteristics	Good Food Matches
Hickory	Strong, smoky, bacon style flavor.	Pork, chicken, beef, wild game, cheeses.
Pecan	Rich and not as strong as hickory, similar in taste. Burns cooler, so works good for low heat smoking.	Pork, chicken, lamb, fish, cheeses.
Mesquite	Sweet flavor, delicate flavor. Burns hot, so use carefully.	Most meats, especially beef. Most vegetables.
Alder	Light flavor that works well with lighter meats.	Salmon, swordfish, sturgeon, other fish. Also good with chicken and pork.
Oak	Upfront taste but pleasant flavor. Works well with many textures and flavors.	Beef (particularly brisket), poultry, pork.
Maple	A light smoky taste with a hint of sweetness. Mixes well with corn on the cob ham or bacon.	Poultry, vegetables, ham.
Cherry	Light sweet taste and fruity smoke flavor.	Poultry, game birds, pork.
Apple	Sweet like cherry but a stronger fruity smoke flavor.	Beef, poultry, game birds, pork (particularly ham).
Peach or Pear	A hint of sweetness with a strong wood taste.	Poultry, game birds, pork.
Grape vines	Distinct smell but fruity as well.	Turkey, chicken, beef.
Wine barrel chips	The addition of wine adds great smell and distinct flavor.	Beef, turkey, chicken, cheeses.

*Important: Never use wood intended for any type of construction such as old lumber or furniture. These woods usually are always treated with chemicals and they may make you sick, and to kick you while you are down they also can ruin your grill as well. Happy grilling!

What kind a wood do you use and for what foods?