Maple Pucks....?

[thirtydaZe]

Did a smoke tonight, 2 chickens and some sausage.  The verdict, not that much smoke flavor.

Let me preface by saying, this was about our 6th smoke.  Our first we did ribs with hickory, which about knocked us both down.  Ever since we've been playing around with cherry, which we liked.

Today, i thought i was "movin' on up," and did 2 hours 40 min with maple.  While the chicken turned out tasting well, seemed the smoke flavor was reduced.

Are maple pucks more mild?  Does cherry have a bigger bite?

The chickens were spatchcocked (my first at that too).

Anyhow, just looking for opinions, and also recommendations of what flavor of wood to move onto, assuming the maple wasn't strong enough to cut our pallet any more.

[GusRobin]

here is a thread with some puck comparisons
http://forum.bradleysmoker.com/index.php?topic=17328.0

[Quarlow]

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.

[FLBentRider]

Mesquite   
Sweeter, more delicate flavor than hickory. Tends to burn hot, so use carefully.   
Most meats, especially beef. Most vegetables.

I'm not sure I'm on board with that opinion...

IMHO - Bradley Mesquite is the strongest puck Bradley makes, it can be strong and harsh. Nothing delicate about the flavor to me.

[SoCalBuilder]

Maple   
Mildly smoky, somewhat sweet flavor. Try mixing maple with corncobs for ham or bacon.   
Poultry, vegetables, ham.

Where can I get some of those Corncob bisquettes ;) :D

[pensrock]

I know a guy who mixes shelled corn with his pellets for use in his pellet pooper. Not sure of the ratios.  :)