Best Wood for Smoking Pork Shoulder

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Smoking a pork shoulder is an easy way to add a lot of flavors to the meat. You probably need to use smoking for cooking the pork shoulder thoroughly. The wood you use for smoking will add a lot of flavors to the meat. Hickory is a popular wood for smoking, but you can use any wood you like.

Once you have selected the type of wood you want to use, you need to decide how much to use. 

Start by placing the wood in the firebox of your smoker. You will need to use about 1/2 pound of wood for every hour you smoke the pork shoulder. Place the pork shoulder on the grate after the wood is in the smoker. Make sure to keep the smoker filled with wood during this time.

Your woods need to be in the smoker for the entire time to add flavor to the pork shoulder. 

Best Woods for Smoking Pork Shoulder

Apple

When smoking pork shoulder, applewood is a great wood to use. It gives the meat a slightly sweet flavor that pairs well with the salty and smoky taste of the barbecue sauce. It is also a relative hardwood, so it will last a while before needing to be replaced. It can be used on its own or in combination with other types of wood.

Apple produces a moderate amount of smoke, which is perfect for smoking pork shoulder.

The process is simple. Just cut the applewood into small chunks and place them in the smoker. Smoke the pork shoulder at a low temperature (225-250 degrees Fahrenheit) for 8-12 hours or until it is cooked through. Make sure to baste it with the barbecue sauce every few hours for extra flavor.


Hickory

Hickory is the most popular wood to use when smoking a pork shoulder. It has a strong flavor that will add a lot of flavors to the meat. This wood is also fairly heavy, which means it will produce a lot of heat. This is perfect for smoking pork shoulder, as it will help cook the meat evenly.

You will need to create a fire in your smoker to use the wood. Start by placing a few pieces of wood on the coals, and then place the pork shoulder on top. Smoke the pork shoulder for 4-6 hours, or until it is cooked through. Ensure to keep an eye on the smoker and add more wood as needed.


Oak

Oak is a popular choice for smoking meats because it has a mild flavor that won’t overpower the meat. It’s available in both hard and soft varieties, with the hard oak being more expensive but lasting longer. Soft oak is cheaper but doesn’t burn as hot and will need to be replaced more often.

For best results, soak the wood in water for an hour before using it in the smoker. Then, place the pork shoulder in the smoker and let it cook for 6 to 8 hours.


Maple

Maple is one of the best woods for smoking pork shoulder. It has a sweet, smoky flavor that enhances the taste of the meat. It is also hardwood, so it produces good heat and helps to keep the smoker at a consistent temperature.

In addition, maple is a dense wood, so it doesn’t produce a lot of smoke. This is good because too much smoke can impart a bitter flavor to the meat. If you are looking for an excellent wood for smoking pork shoulder, maple is a good choice.

Cut the maple wood into chunks about the size of a golf ball. You don’t need to soak the wood before using it, but you can soak it in water for a few hours if you have the time. Place the wood in the smoker and cook the pork shoulder until it is fall-off-the-bone tender.

The smoking time will vary depending on the size of the pork shoulder, but it usually takes around 6 hours to smoke a pork shoulder.

When the pork shoulder is finished cooking, it will be smoky, moist, and fall-off-the-bone tender. The maple flavor will be subtle, but it will add a delicious depth of flavor to the meat.


Peach 

This type of wood is a good choice for smoking pork shoulder because it gives the meat a sweet and peachy flavor. It’s also a relatively mild wood, so it won’t overpower the flavor of the pork. The wood is easy to find, and it’s a good choice for novice smokers.

When preparing pork shoulder using peach wood, you’ll want to keep the temperature low and simmer the meat. This will ensure that the pork is cooked through and that the flavor of the wood can penetrate the meat.

After smoking the pork shoulder with peach wood, you’ll be able to enjoy a delicious and succulent dish that has a wonderful flavor.

When using peach, the temperature of your smoker should be 225 degrees Fahrenheit, and you will want to cook the pork shoulder for about six hours. You can also use this wood to smoke ribs, chicken, and turkey. If you’re looking for a delicious and unique flavor for your smoked meats, peach wood is a great choice.


Cherry

Smoking pork shoulder needs wood to give it a smoky flavor while not too strong. Cherry wood is a good choice because it has a sweet, mild flavor that pairs well with pork. It is also hardwood, so it will produce a lot of smoke. This makes it the perfect choice for smoking pork shoulder.

It would be best if you start by choosing a piece of cherry wood that is about the size of your fist. If it is too small, it will not produce enough smoke. If it is too large, it will be challenging to manage.

Once you have chosen your wood, you need to cut it into small pieces. Then, put the wood in a smoker and set it to medium-high heat. The temperature should be about 250 degrees Fahrenheit. Put the pork shoulder on the smoker and cook it for about 4 hours.

During the last hour of cooking, add some cherry wood to the smoker to give it a smoky flavor. When the pork shoulder is cooked, it will be tender and juicy. It will also have a smoky flavor that will please your taste buds.


Mesquite

It is the best wood to use for smoking pork shoulder. Mesquite has a strong flavor that complements the pork perfectly. It is also a dense wood, so it doesn’t burn as quickly as some of the other options. This makes it a good choice for smoking a large piece of meat like pork shoulder.

You need to cut the wood into small pieces to make it easy to light, and then the flame will spread to the larger parts. Mesquite is a good choice for people who want a bold flavor in their meat.

You need to smoke your pork should for about 6 hours. The temperature of the smoker should be around 225 degrees Fahrenheit. If you use mesquite wood, you will need to add more wood to the smoker every hour.

Make sure to keep an eye on the smoker and adjust the temperature as needed. The pork shoulder will be done when it reaches an internal temperature of 195 degrees Fahrenheit.


Pecan

You don’t have to miss pecan because you’re giving up sweets in your life. Pecan is a great wood to use when smoking a pork shoulder. It has a strong flavor that stands up to the pork without overpowering it. Plus, the pecan’s natural sweetness will add a little something special to your smoked pork shoulder. So, if you’re looking for a smoky, sweet flavor, pecan is the wood for you.

Cut the pecan wood into chunks about the size of your fist. You don’t want them too small, or they’ll burn too quickly. And you don’t want them too large, or they’ll be challenging to manage.

If your smoker has a water pan, fill it with water before starting smoking. The water will help keep the smoker chamber moist, which will make it easier to keep the temperature consistent.

Once your smoker is up to temperature, place the pork shoulder on the grate and spread the pecan wood chunks around it. Close the smoker lid and let the pork shoulder smoke for about 4 hours, or until it’s reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.


Orange Wood

Orange is a great choice for smoking pork shoulder. The wood has a mild flavor that compliments the pork’s natural smoky flavor. Additionally, orange wood is a hardwood which means it burns hot and produces a lot of smoke, resulting in a succulent and tender pork shoulder.

It adds a beautiful orange hue to the smoked meat. Some people also believe that orange wood imparts a slight citrus flavor to the pork.

When preparing your smoking process, cut the orange wood into small pieces so that it will ignite more easily. You will also want to use a smoker box or foil pouch to contain the wood. Place the wood on the coals and let it burn for a few minutes before adding the pork shoulder.

Smoke the pork shoulder at a low temperature (225-250 degrees Fahrenheit) for 8-10 hours, or until it is falling-off-the-bone tender.


Frequently Asked Questions

How To Pick the Perfect Piece of Pork?

When you are picking out your pork shoulder, make sure to pick one that is relatively even in thickness. This will help ensure that the meat is cooked evenly. You also want to make sure that the pork is covered in fat. The fat will help keep the meat moist and juicy while cooking.

What Is the Best Way to Smoke Pork Shoulder?

The best way to smoke pork shoulder is to use a smoker. This will help ensure that the pork is cooked evenly and gets a smoky flavor. You will want to smoke the pork at 225 degrees Fahrenheit for about 8 hours. Make sure to keep the smoker filled with wood during this time.

Related: Best Smokers for Beginners

Is Apple Wood Good for Smoking Pork?

Applewood is a great wood for smoking pork. It gives the meat a slightly sweet flavor that pairs well with the salty and smoky taste of the barbecue sauce. It is also a relative hardwood, so it will last a while before needing to be replaced. It can be used on its own or in combination with other types of wood.

What Wood Should You Not Smoke With?

Some woods should not be used for smoking pork shoulder. These include mesquite, hickory, and pecan. These woods are all very strong and will overpower the flavor of the pork.

What Wood Is Toxic Burning?

There are a few types of wood that are toxic when burning. These include black walnut, red oak, and eucalyptus. You should never use these woods for smoking pork shoulder.

When Should You Not Smoke Pork?

You should not smoke pork when it is raining or when the humidity is high. This is because the smoke will not be able to dissipate in these conditions, and it will stay in the air, which can be harmful to your health.

Can You Smoke Pork in A Smoker?

Yes, you can smoke pork in a smoker. You will need to use a smoker to ensure that the pork is cooked evenly and gets a smoky flavor. You will want to smoke the pork at 225 degrees Fahrenheit for about 8 hours. Make sure to keep the smoker filled with wood during this time.

Is Oak Good to Smoke Meat?

Oak is a good wood to smoke meat because it is a strong wood that will add a lot of flavors to the meat. It is also hardwood, so it will last a while before needing to be replaced. You can use oak on its own or in combination with other types of wood.

Which Wood Gives the Strongest Smoke Flavors?

The wood that gives the strongest smoke flavors is hickory. Hickory is very strong wood and it will add a lot of flavors to the meat. It is also hardwood, so it will last a while before needing to be replaced. You can use hickory on its own or in combination with other types of wood.

Conclusion

When the pork shoulder is finished smoking, it will be very tender and juicy. You can serve the pork shoulder with your favorite barbecue sauce or just eat it plain. Smoking pork shoulder is a great way to add flavor to the meat, and it is a straightforward process.

Just make sure to select the suitable wood to use and to keep the smoker filled with wood during the smoking process.

Bobby Johnson

When he's not writing about barbecue, you can find Bobby smoking meat for friends and family. He's been a backyard pitmaster for roughly half his life, and has worked with nearly every cut of meat. Not everyone has a hands-on guide to teach them BBQ, but that's what Bobby hopes to do with Electric Smoker HQ. He wants to help people create amazing food that they can be proud of.