I have never smoked anything before I have the 6 rack digital smoker and my first try using it is going to be making venison meat sticks my question is what kind of wood pucks to use as in flavor any suggestions would help tons thanks in advance
Hmm, Venison....maybe a pecan or even alder. you could really use anything. A sweet wood might be nice with it. An expert smoker will come along soon. I am just a rookie here.
Maybe this will help:
Bradley Bisquette Chart
Hickory
Pungent, smoky, bacon-like flavor.
Good with Pork, chicken, beef, wild game, cheeses.
Pecan
Rich and more subtle than hickory, but similar in taste. Burns cool, so ideal for very low heat smoking.
Pork, chicken, lamb, fish, cheeses.
Mesquite
Sweeter, more delicate flavor than hickory. Tends to burn hot, so use carefully.
Most meats, especially beef. Most vegetables.
Alder
Delicate flavor that enhances lighter meats.
Salmon, swordfish, sturgeon, other fish. Also good with chicken and pork.
Oak
Forthright but pleasant flavor. Blends well with a variety of textures and flavors.
Beef (particularly brisket), poultry, pork.
Maple
Mildly smoky, somewhat sweet flavor. Try mixing maple with corncobs for ham or bacon.
Poultry, vegetables, ham.
Cherry
Slightly sweet, fruity smoke flavor.
Poultry, game birds, pork.
Apple
Slightly sweet but denser, fruity smoke flavor.
Beef, poultry, game birds, pork particularly
Special Blend
Mildly sweet with a hint of hickory
Good with pork, fowl and sausage.
Extra for the poopers
Peach or Pear Pellets. Slightly sweet, woodsy flavor.
Poultry, game birds, pork.
Grape Pellets. Aromatic, similar to fruit woods.
Turkey, chicken, beef.
Wine Barrel Pellets. Wine and oak flavors. A flavorful novelty that smells wonderful.
Beef, turkey, chicken, cheeses.
With venison sticks I like some hickory. But its easy to go too far with hickory, especially with something small like snack sticks. I like going a combo of hickory and special blend or oak/ whisky oak pucks. But I've done them with cherry, apple, pecan etc. and not had bad results. Keep the damper open and the door closed, and post your results! 8)
I usually like oak.
Thanks guys I will post once I make them