Mesquite for smoking?

[JeffJ]

I have an endless supply of oak within 30 minutes of my house. I was wondering if it would be worth my time and effort to drive four hours one way to cut enough 6-8' pieced of mesquite to fill a 16' flatbed.

Ive heard mixed reviews on smoking with mesquite because it burns so hot.

[bdchorn]

Better for grilling

[Charles]

Mesquite is very strong and burns hot which IMO isn't that great for long cooking times. Mesquite is excellent for grilling though.

[Edward F]

Mesquite is good, but it can be over powering. 8 hour trip for mesquite, I would stick with the oak.

[bfree]

I like it, also pecan if have access to it.

[JeffJ]

Mesquite is good, but it can be over powering. 8 hour trip for mesquite, I would stick with the oak.

Kind of what I was thinking. I was thinking if I could cut a bunch and then let it season with my oak that I could mix it in to stretch my oak a little farther.

[tbeak]

I mix it with hickory and oak. I like it but I only use it at the very end cause like others have said, it can be overpowering. my wife doesn't really like when I use it cause it is so strong.

[Grumpy1911]

I used mesquite to smoke a while back. Not again. tooo much... it was stout!

Good for grilling sometimes I guess.... Not the best. in my opinion.

I will stick with oak for smoke.

[txpitdog]

I've smoked with mesquite quite a bit. It can be very overpowering, but if you allow good ventilation then it really favors the meat well. A good trick is to have a secondary grill to start new wood. Let the new wood get past its initial billowing smoke phase and add it as coals to the pit.

That said, I wouldn't drive that far just to get mesquite, free or not.

[unclefish]

I never understood the burns so hot thing. Just use less of it....the temp needs to be what the temp needs to be. Pretty simple to use less mesquite to keep the temp needed.

I have tons of it at my place and I use it for all smoking/grilling. It does have a more powerful smoke flavor so I just mix it with oak or pecan. Mesquite grilled chicken is one of the finer things in life!

[BrandonA]

You don't have to drive 4 hours for it

[290WEST]

I've smoked with mesquite quite a bit. It can be very overpowering, but if you allow good ventilation then it really favors the meat well. A good trick is to have a secondary grill to start new wood. Let the new wood get past its initial billowing smoke phase and add it as coals to the pit.

That said, I wouldn't drive that far just to get mesquite, free or not.

this is it right here

[LWD]

Buy a little bit locally and try it before getting a trailer load of it.

LWD

[bsills]

I love to smoke and grill with mesquite.

[Smart]

We used to use it exclusively in South Texas...and I agree on the burning it down some in a secondary fire ring and shoveling it in the firebox when using it exclusively but that's just my preference..

We have more oak and pecan up this way now so that's what I use. I still sneak a stick of mesquite in from my lease to give the meat some pop. Love it for grilling and the smell though. That's all we use at the lease.... reminds me of home.



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