Experimenting with different woods- shoulder

[Advantage49]

I'm going to be cooking 2 shoulders this weekend, one will be on my GMG using perfect mix pellets, the other in my kettle. For the kettle I want to try different wood using my slow n sear (just ordered). What's a good combo to start with? Apple n hickory,apple n pecan, cherry n pecan??

also, when using the slow n sear with different woods would I line them up togather or have one smoke then the other ?? Thanks guys!

[Thunder77]

Apple and oak for me, or cherry and oak. Both apple and cherry are great with pork. Cherry and hickory is also very good. Never tried pecan with pork, myself. I usually set the wood up so it smokes one after the other, but I honestly don't know if it matters.

[Jerod Broussard]

I've been able to try red oak, cherry, hickory, and apple with various mixtures without any noticeable difference.

I do prefer the smell of cherry as it smokes so that is my fave.

[Steve R.]

Pretty tough to beat oak/cherry, hickory/cherry, or _____/cherry for pork. I love cherry.

[Spinaker]

Oak and Cherry is the greatest combo that I have found. I love mixing in some hickory too. We don't have Pecan that grow here so, I don't ever use it. But I have heard good things.

[Advantage49]

Picked up some hickory and cherry, lumps

next question what's the best way to put these on the slow n sear?

[bcostlow]

My recommendation would be either hickory or mesquite mixed with a fruit wood. Both hickory and mesquite woods are instantly recognizable by most people and the second wood will keep them guessing.

Don't be surprised if most people don't notice tho - while my family eats a fair deal of BBQ, they don't know the difference between pecan and apple. They do react to the amount of smoke flavor though.

I have mixed oak with mesquite when I cook beef with great success. I haven't done as well with other smoke wood combinations.

I hope you'll post the results of your wood-mix after you've done your cook: I'm always looking for a new way to mix things up.

Bill

[bcostlow]

Picked up some hickory and cherry, lumps
next question what's the best way to put these on the slow n sear?

This is my basic setup -- but after I hit my starting temp, I may adjust the wood to be closer to the heat, depending on how the fire is burning.

Bill

[BigCountryQ]

Advantage49 The more Q you cook, the more presents they'll bring.....at least that's what I like to think

[EdF]

And you're starting that 3yo off to a fine education!