The Wood Matcher

Don't ruin a good piece of meat with the wrong smoke. Use my interactive matcher to find the perfect wood for your next cook.

Wood Pairing Matcher

Select your meat to find the perfect smoke

Alder

Smoke Profile

"Delicate, light, and naturally sweet."

Salmon Seafood Poultry

Apple

Smoke Profile

"Mild, sweet, and fruity."

Pork Poultry Fish

Cherry

Smoke Profile

"Sweet, fruity, and known for adding a deep red mahogany color."

Pork Poultry Beef (for color)

Grapevine

Smoke Profile

"Tart, fruity, and very aromatic."

Lamb Beef Poultry

Hickory

Smoke Profile

"Strong, bacon-like, and pungent"

Pork Beef Ribs

Maple

Smoke Profile

"Mild, mellow, and lightly sweet."

Pork Poultry Vegetables

Mesquite

Smoke Profile

"Intense, earthy, and pungent with a slightly sweet finish."

Beef Wild Game Texas-Style Brisket

Oak (White/Red)

Smoke Profile

"Medium-strong, classic 'woodsy' flavor without the pungency of hickory."

Beef Pork Heavy Game

Peach

Smoke Profile

"Very sweet and floral."

Pork Poultry

Pecan

Smoke Profile

"Rich, nutty, and slightly sweet."

Pork Poultry Beef

Post Oak

Smoke Profile

"Mild, clean, and consistent. The backbone of Central Texas BBQ."

Beef Brisket Ribs

Why Wood Choice Matters

In the world of low and slow BBQ, wood is an ingredient just like salt or pepper. Too much Hickory on a delicate piece of fish will make it taste like an ashtray. Not enough Mesquite on a Texas brisket and you're missing out on that bold, earthy soul.

I built this tool using data from my Wood Library to help you make the right choice every time you fire up the pit.