hickory, Apple, or cherry

[mummel]

I did some ribs using hickory and then my wife did some chicken a couple of days later using hickory too.  They used totally different rubs and the ribs was lathered in Stubbs Original.

HOWEVER, both meats tasted very similar.  They tasted great, but they were very similar even though the sauce and rubs were totally different.

I'm still figuring things out but I suspect that hickory has a very powerful taste and nukes the underlying. 

I've used Pittmasters and Hickory so far.  What other pellets are good?

 

[ammaturesmoker]

Almost same question for me here. I am doing baby back and country style. I have tons of cherry wood and a small pile of mesquite. Would a few small chunks of mesquite enhance it or ruin it with the cherry. Also might use some lump hickory coal. This is an offset smoker and will be running around 245 degrees. I am told mesquite works better when its at 225. But I cannot complain. I got a half a truck load of cherry for 20 bucks.

 

[cliffcarter]

 
Almost same question for me here. I am doing baby back and country style. I have tons of cherry wood and a small pile of mesquite. Would a few small chunks of mesquite enhance it or ruin it with the cherry. Also might use some lump hickory coal. This is an offset smoker and will be running around 245 degrees. I am told mesquite works better when its at 225. But I cannot complain. I got a half a truck load of cherry for 20 bucks.

Stay away from the mesquite unless you are grilling and then only use it sparingly.

 

[kit baker]

What is everyone's thoughts about using JD whiskey barrel chips? Are they worth it or stay away?

 

[sirsmokey]

I love the Jd chips on salmon filet. Never tried on anything else but I have friends that swear by them. My go to is hickory or pecan. If I gotta go fruit wood, cherry. I also really like the Cabernet soaked chips. I use those on chicken. The only one to steer clear of on long smokes is mesquite. It will be very strong smoke flavor. I used that in my chip tray on my grill and that's about it. Back to the original question ( sorry ) I would buy a bag of the jack Daniels chips and give it a go. I have been wanting to try them myself on something other then salmon.

-John