Mesquite for smoking?

[.270]

It's the only wood I use and I think opinions will vary based on where you are located or from. Growing up that is all we used in West Texas, (if you were lucky to have an oak tree you left it!!). When I lived in the valley that was the only wood available. Now that I live in the hill country I have yet to throw a piece of oak in the pit that didn't smell like cedar. I will go out of my way to get a truck load of mesquite if it's available.

[texasdeerhunter]

I use mesquite exclusively for bbqing. And I have won some competitions, so I am going to stick with mesquite.

[.270]

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!

^^^^^^ Found a couple of split chickens reduced for quick sale today!! They won't hit the freezer!

[Burntorange Bowhunter]

I have never had an issue with it.

Currently I go 50-50 mesquite and live oak.

[jerp]

I smoke a lot of chickens, cornish hens and an occasional turkey. With long cooking times, birds seem to absorb too much smoke flavor - for my taste anyway. The answer for me is to use mostly lump charcoal with a few pieces of mesquite mixed in. If a chicken takes 4 hours I will use only the lump charcoal for the last 2 hours, with bird wrapped in foil. It is basically just an oven at that point but more than 2 hours of smoke makes for a bitter bird.

[cosmiccowboy]

I use mesquite exclusively for bbqing. And I have won some competitions, so I am going to stick with mesquite.

X2

let it burn down to a good bed of hot coals in your firebox with clear blue smoke before adding your meat. Keep your dampers adjusted properly so it burns clean as you add wood one stick at a time. For my pit about one piece per hour to hold 220.

[MA ELite]

Apple has been my go to for smoking. Mesquite is awesome to grill on though.

[JeffJ]

You don't have to drive 4 hours for it

I know. Just wondering if hauling the flatbed up to Katy's family ranch in Mineral Wells would be worth it.

[xman59]

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.

only thing i have found i like better than mesquite for smoking is Persimmon,,,

[Dirtymike]

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!

I agree

[Matt2006Martin]

Texas and Mesquite grillin go hand and hand...can't go wrong

[Smart]

I know. Just wondering if hauling the flatbed up to Katy's family ranch in Mineral Wells would be worth it.

I sure as heck would. If you don't use it exclusively you'll like it as an add in to your oak...

Plus its great if you grill over charcoal or wood normally.