In recent years the interest in barbecuing has been increasing and thus more and more people want to buy a new grill and all the utensils needed to make the perfect barbecue.
However, the fuel used in that barbecue is as important as the oven itself. That is why we’ll tell you which are the best woods to use so that whatever you cook is a success among your friends and family.
Hardwoods are the best for cooking
Cooking with firewood is a millenary practice that has accompanied mankind since its beginnings, although for some time it was relegated to other forms of cooking.
Currently, wood charcoal has re-emerged as an alternative cooking fuel, especially among barbecue lovers.
The reason is that wood provides the necessary heat to cook food and in addition, it gives it a characteristic flavor, depending on the species.
However, keep in mind that, if you want to cook a great barbecue, you must first get hardwoods such as oak as these are the woods that offer the greatest resistance to fire.
Therefore, they burn slower and allow more sustained cooking; which gives better flavor to the food.
Next, we’ll talk about several kinds of wood that you should use if you want to get the most out of everything you cook on the grill.
7 of the best woods for cooking
1. Chestnut wood
Scientific name
Castanea sativa.
Why should you use it for cooking?
Chestnut wood has a medium to high density and burns slowly.
This makes it ideal for cooking Asian dishes, which usually require slow cooking to better preserve the flavors of meat and vegetables.
Also, this wood can serve you quite well in combination with woods such as oak.
They work perfectly in lamb preparations where slow cooking is also needed to keep the meat tender.
Distribution
This species is native to southern Europe and Asia Minor, although it is already widely distributed throughout the European continent and Oceania.
This tree is found abundantly in countries such as:
- Portugal.
- Spain.
- Italy.
- Greece.
- Serbia.
- Croatia.
- Albania.
- Slovenia.
2. Birchwood common
Scientific name
Betula pendula
Why should you use it for cooking?
The wood of the common birch provides a combination of spicy and slightly “metallic” flavors that are an excellent complement to unconventional meats such as venison.
Also, charcoal derived from this wood can be used to cook vegetables such as asparagus and zucchini.
Distribution
The common birch comes from Southeast Asia. However, this species is distributed throughout Europe and parts of North America.
Thus, the common birch is abundant in countries such as:
- Cambodia.
- Vietnam.
- Spain.
- Portugal.
- Armenia.
- Turkey.
- Canada.
3. American and European Beech Wood
Scientific name
Fagus spp.
Why should you use it for cooking?
Beechwood is usually quite hard and is often cut into small pieces when used as fuel as it releases its flavor better.
Beech also produces quite a lot of smoke when burned; this smoke gives off an herbal smell very similar to that of chamomile.
This gives the food a unique and very pleasant flavor.
In addition, beech is excellent for cooking fish with high-fat content and some light meats such as chicken, hen, turkey, and rabbit.
Distribution
The European beech is one of the most common species in Europe, in fact, the tree is distributed throughout the continent.
On the other hand, the American Beech is distributed throughout North America.
Then, we can find that this tree is particularly abundant in countries such as:
- Germany.
- Sweden.
- Norway.
- Finland.
- Belgium.
- France.
- Spain.
- Canada.
- United States.
- Mexico.
4. Common alder wood
Scientific name
Alnus glutinosa.
Why should you use it for cooking?
The wood of the common alder is known for the sweet smell it gives off when burned.
This makes foods smell and even taste somewhat sweet; this is explained by the large number of polysaccharides present in this wood.
Thus, cooking with common alder charcoal is ideal for preparing marinated meats and also for smoking them.
In addition, this wood is used as a substitute for oak wood.
Distribution
Alder is native to most of Europe, Asia Minor, and North Africa.
However, the tree has been introduced to parts of the Americas and Oceania.
This species is abundant in countries such as:
- United Kingdom.
- Ireland.
- Turkey.
- Iran.
- Kazakhstan.
- Tunisia.
- Algeria.
- Morocco.
- Chile.
- Ecuador.
- United States.
- Canada.
- Australia.
- New Zealand.
5. Apple tree wood
Scientific name
Malus spp.
Why should you use it for cooking?
Applewood is widely used for smoking meats.
Also, Applewood provides an acidity that is perfect for meats that have a high amount of fat, such as pork, as it reduces the “heavy” taste of the food.
Distribution
This species is almost ubiquitous and is found in all temperate climate zones of the planet.
However, there are very extensive plantations of this tree in countries such as:
- China.
- United States.
- Poland.
- Turkey.
- India.
- Chile.
- Italy.
- Iran.
- Russia.
- France.
- Chile.
6. Wood of common or European pear tree
Scientific name
Pyrus communis
Why should you use it for cooking?
Pearwood produces slightly more smoke than applewood, giving it the ability to further perfume food by adding a fruity flavor with hints of caramel as it cooks.
Distribution
The common pear tree comes from Eastern Europe and Asia Minor, so it is very common in countries such as:
- Russia.
- Ukraine.
- Poland.
- Armenia.
- Azerbaijan.
- Georgia.
- Romania.
- Turkey
- Kazakhstan.
7. Wood of common or European Oak
Scientific name
Quercus robur
Why should you use it for cooking?
Finally, let’s talk about oak wood, which is one of the best-known, most used, and best-quality woods in the world.
Oak is used for almost any timber application so it is not strange to find it in the kitchen as well.
Thus, oak is especially used for smoking foods such as salmon.
This is because this is a slow-burning wood, i.e. it burns slowly and therefore produces a lot of smoke.
In addition, oak is in great demand in the kitchen because it gives body and solidity to preparations.
Distribution
The common oak is native to Europe and Western Asia, although it is also widespread in North America.
Among the countries with the largest populations are:
- Spain
- Portugal.
- Germany.
- Turkey
- Armenia.
- Azerbaijan.
- Georgia.
- United States.
These are 7 of the best woods you can use when grilling.
Remember, each wood has its own particular characteristics and just as you look for the perfect wine to accompany each meal, you should do the same with the wood you choose as fuel for your barbecues.
Your barbecues are sure to be a success.