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TBoneMac
09-20-2019, 08:22 PM
I would like some advice on smoke wood chunks for brisket. I want to use oak, from Fruita Wood.

But which oak?

White oak? Red oak? Post oak?

I'll be using Royal Oak Chef's Select briquettes in a Hunsaker Vortex Smoker, cooking at 300 degrees. I'm no amateur at cooking briskets hot and fast, but I've never used any type of oak wood chunks. Previously, I've used only pecan wood chunks.

Aaron Franklin uses Texas post oak, but he smokes for 14 hours with nothing but post oak logs - not charcoal briquettes with only 4 wood chunks. So might post oak be too mild if using only 4 chunks along with briquettes?

Any advice from actual experience would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Stlsportster
09-20-2019, 08:49 PM
All oak is good oak. I use a mix of red and white as both are plentiful in my area. Both taste the same.

All the Texas boys will tell you post oak is the best....or mesquite.

I think you’ll be happy with any of them!

SmittyJonz
09-20-2019, 09:30 PM
Oaks are Same. Mix in some Mesquite too......

drunkenmeatfist
09-20-2019, 10:09 PM
All oak is good oak. I use a mix of red and white as both are plentiful in my area.

If you don't add blue oak you aren't a patriot.

SonnyE
09-20-2019, 11:18 PM
If you don't add blue oak you aren't a patriot.

I get it, Red Oak, White Oak, and Blue Oak.....

What the hell is Blue Oak? :doh:

Eads Ranch
09-20-2019, 11:33 PM
..What the hell is Blue Oak? :doh:

As Foghorn Leghorn would say "It's a joke son"

BGEChicago
09-20-2019, 11:37 PM
@ TBoneMac. I bought my Texas Post Oak from them, never looked back! I'm not sure about the other varieties of oak, tried this one and it was a winner.

Thanks,
Greg

Monkey Uncle
09-21-2019, 05:39 AM
As Foghorn Leghorn would say "It's a joke son"

Actually, there is a species called blue oak. Grows in California.

https://plants.sc.egov.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=QUDO

halfcocked
09-21-2019, 07:38 AM
Oak is my preference for brisket but I have no clue about use in your cooker. Can't see how you can go wrong with oak though.

SonnyE
09-21-2019, 08:33 AM
Actually, there is a species called blue oak. Grows in California.

https://plants.sc.egov.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=QUDO

Yeah I googled it. Thanks Uncle.
Almost figures it would be in California, doesn't it?
The Land of Fruits and Nuts. :laugh:

:icon_shy Looks green to me...

https://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/images/qdouglasiiform.jpg

https://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/images/qdouglasiiform.jpg

I made a bucketful of Oak chips for my smoker, out of a reclaimed oak 4x4 with my Jointer.
But my current preference is Apple Wood pellets.

thirdeye
09-21-2019, 09:48 AM
Can't comment on oak, I've only used it a few times.... but I can say that Fruita Wood is top notch :thumb:. And unless things have changed (my last order was 6 months ago) if you have your order shipped to a commercial address they make up the reduced shipping charges* by adding more wood to your order.

*Residential UPS delivery rates are higher than delivery to a business, so typically they will add $4 or $5 worth of wood to the box.

TxQGuy
09-21-2019, 10:01 AM
All oak will work. I use red because it's easier to source in my part of TX. A kiss of mesquite is good too, but careful not to overdo it.

CookinAt225
09-21-2019, 10:15 AM
I've always just smoked brisket with hickory. I have a cord of red & white oak out front for my wood stove this winter - never put it in my smoker though.