If your family is eager for smoked food and often asks for delicious smoked ribs, you must be trying to give your best. Along with choosing quality ingredients, never forget to buy the best wood for smoking ribs. The appropriate wood will enhance the natural taste of the ribs, and your backyard parties will become exceptional.
All types of woods are not suitable for smoking ribs. By choosing the wrong wood, you’ll get the horrible taste. That’s why we are not only discussing the best wood for smoking ribs but also some other related essential information as well. We have mentioned various types of woods here that you can combine to experience a unique taste. Above all, we go for only high-quality products, so you’ll find outclass woods here.
Which Types of Wood Should I Use for Smoking Ribs?
If you are grilling for the first time and want someone to guide you about the best flavor, then let us explain. You can use either single wood to produce smoked flavor or mix up the two or three flavors to make a blended taste. There is no harm in experimenting with different flavors. But some wood pellets are more desirable than others for adding an incredible smoky taste in ribs. Have a look at the best wood for smoking ribs.
1. Hickory
Hickory is the best choice for smoking ribs and rich flavorful meats. It gives a savory sweet taste and resembles the bacon flavor. If you are applying any BBQ sauce on ribs, the hickory smoke will complement its taste. It’s plus point is that it is heavy wood which can generate lots of smoke.
An important fact is that ribs have less meat, so more smoke exposure can change their natural flavor, and it may develop a somewhat bitter taste. That’s why it is highly recommended to mix it with other sweet fruity flavors for an enhanced taste. When used for other meats, it overpowers their real taste.
2. Oak
Oak is the second-best wood for smoking ribs. It generates strong smoke as compared to apple and cherry but not more than mesquite and hickory. This versatile wood is perfect for every meat but a better fit for ribs. It adds a light fruity flavor to your food in an earthy tone. Besides, this wood doesn’t overpower the taste of your food.
One thing must be kept in mind when using this best wood for smoking ribs, it can alter the original taste of meats. Hence, it would be better to use it in less quantity to get an outstanding sweet flavor.
3. Mesquite
Mesquite brings a perfect flavor for BBQ and ribs. The robust earthy taste makes the ribs more flavorful, but you have to use it with caution. Use less quantity of mesquite; otherwise, you may experience a bitter taste. The mesquite burns quite well because it contains natural oil. It is a better option for blending with different wood, which ultimately provides a less harsh flavor.
4. Pecan
Pecan is a strong wood whose many qualities resemble hickory. The flavor of pecan is a bit like hickory and somewhat like fruitwoods. That balanced flavor makes your food incredibly tasty. Moreover, it is a better option for blending with the hickory to experience a blend of a rich, sweet and earthy taste.
Don’t go for more quantity of pecan wood because it can spoil the taste of ribs. More quantity sometimes leads to bitter taste; that’s why use the pecan with caution to avoid inconvenience.
5. Apple
Apple is an ideal fruitwood for ribs, poultry, pork, lamb, seafood, game birds, and lighter beef. It gives a subtle sweet taste to your favorite meats. Experience the unique and superb flavor profile that will make your recipes more delicious. If you want to blend it with hickory, let us tell you that they are perfect for combining.
One downside of apple is that it burns slowly and takes longer to go deep into the ribs. So, it is essential to smoke it a couple of hours before starting the main cooking procedure.
6. Cherry
Cherry is a fruitwood that creates a fantastic smoke in BBQ and ribs. When the cherry is used alone, it gives tremendous results. But when blended with hickory, pecan, or oak, the flavor goes beyond the limits.
The cherry’s taste resembles somewhat to the apple. The mildly sweet flavor of cherry makes the ribs flavorful. By adding a beautiful red mahogany color to it, the smoked ribs seem too good. If you use the cherry wood properly, it can produce professional cooking results.
7. Peach
Peach is a tremendous fruitwood that produces sweet and light flavor. Though it works well for all types of meats, it is an excellent fit for pork. Peach can give a superb smoky flavor when combined with other wood. Never fear blending it with various woods; it always produces a remarkable taste that you will never forget.
8. Pear
Pear is much like peach according to its features, delivering sweet and lightly smoky flavor for all those meats for which the peach also works well. It is just perfect for blending with different woods. You can mix it with any wood without any doubt or hesitation. Pear will definitely give some incredible results.
9. Maple
Maple is well-known for producing light, sweet and subtle smoke. Due to its mild smoke, it doesn’t overpower the real taste of the meats. Those who want an intense smoke for ribs should not go for it. The maple complements BBQ sauce’s taste and creates an outclass flavor that you’ll like to taste over and over. Maple would be an excellent option for all the people who are lovers of sweet, smoky flavor.
List of Best Wood for Smoking Ribs
If you are wandering for the best wood for smoking ribs, be glad. We are here to present the incredible woods to you. Considering that appropriate woods are an essential element to look at for smoking ribs, we made much effort. The top brand products are displayed in the list so that you can choose any of them without any doubt.
We have added the best wood for smoking ribs of different tastes, so you can get the one that excites your taste buds the most. For making people with low-budget get quality woods, we enlisted some low-price but outstanding products. Moreover, different people like different wood flavors, that’s why we gathered various taste woods. Use a single wood or mix two or more woods by choosing the options available here.
1. Traeger PEL319 Hardwood Grill Pellets – Best Hickory Wood
If you want to enjoy hardwood flavor in all your foods, here is a better product for you. Traeger PEL319 Hickory pellets are the best wood pellets for smoking ribs. You can add fantastic taste to every food, no matter what cooking method you’re applying. Grill, bake, braise, smoke, BBQ, or roast, you’ll get an incredible pure flavor of hardwood.
Not only you but your entire family will love the aroma and taste it delivers. You will never opt for charcoal or gas once you use this best wood for smoking ribs. These pellets are made with an appropriate quantity of moisture which adds matchless blue smoke to your favorite foods. With sufficient moisture, these pellets burn quite perfectly.
The interesting fact about these wood pellets is that they are made with 100% natural hardwood. Moreover, it is not having any fillers, unnatural additives, or binding agents; that’s why you get pure hardwood taste and outstanding aroma.
The manufacturing process is well structured because the company has created a proper procedure for making remarkable pellets. Each step of the pellet production is under strict observation, which results in the satisfactory completion of the pellets.
- 100% natural hardwood.
- Amazing wood-fired smoke.
- Burns properly.
- No fillers or binding agents.
- Good flavor.
- It’s pricey.
- Average packing.
2. Traeger Grills PEL310 Hardwood Pellets – Best Oak Wood
No matter what type of cooking you are doing, you can add a unique flavor to your food. Traeger Grills PEL310 Oak Hardwood Pellets infuse a perfect oak hardwood taste in every food you cook. Whether you bake, grill, roast, BBQ, or smoke, the unique smoky flavor and smell can enhance all sorts of cooking ways.
Everyone wants to use pellets that can burn properly. You’ll not be having any issue of uneven burning because it contains a sufficient quantity of moisture. By producing blue and clean smoke, these high-quality pellets make your food cook well.
By keeping an eye on the whole production procedure, the manufacturers ensure that the final product must be outstanding. From beginning to end, proper guidelines are implemented, and superb pellets are made.
To deliver a remarkable smoky taste, the manufacturers use 100% pure hardwood that ensures unmatched flavor. The interesting fact is that unnatural additives and fillers are not included in them. When nothing is impure, then you can expect superb quality smoke and aroma that you might haven’t experienced before.
If you have a large family and mostly grill and smoke for them, you will find it more beneficial. It is available in a 20 lbs bag which is sufficient for many uses.
- Less ash.
- Made with natural hardwood.
- No fillers or additives.
- Perfect for all foods.
- Somewhat pricey.
- Average packaging.
3. Traeger Grills PEL305 All-Natural Hardwood Pellets – Best Mesquite Wood
Traeger Grills PEL305 pellets are a marvelous product for their numerous features. The people who get irritated with the pellets that produce lots of ash will be glad to know about these pellets. The low ash makes it easy for users to clean the smoker within no time. Furthermore, the pellets burn properly and cook the food the way you never experienced before.
These best wood for smoking beef ribs are available in a 20 lbs bag that is sufficient for a large family. You don’t have to worry about buying the pellets repeatedly because it is enough for using multiple times.
The premium quality pellets are made from natural hardwood. These best wood to smoke ribs includes no binders or additives. Enjoy the well-infused hardwood taste in any food you make. They ensure you experience the superb aroma and natural hardwood taste in your smoked, braised, baked, grilled, roasted, or BBQ dishes.
These best wood for smoking ribs are made with utmost care. A required amount of moisture is added to the pellets to make them burn efficiently. Additionally, it makes the pellets produce great blue smoke that will cook your food perfectly.
- 100% natural hardwood.
- No fillers or additives.
- 20 lbs bag.
- Quality pellets.
- Some pellets are long.
- Somewhat expensive.
4. Traeger Grills PEL314 Hardwood Pellets – Best Pecan Wood
Do you want to pair every grilled food with remarkable smoke flavor? Traeger Grills PEL314 Pecan Hardwood Pellets is a better choice for all sorts of meats. Cook beef, lamb, pork, poultry, baked recipes, and vegetables with a perfect smoked flavor. Try the new dishes and add a remarkable smoky flavor to them. Your family will definitely appreciate your effort.
If you search for quality wood pellets for making perfect smoked recipes, you’ll love using them. The real smoked taste develops only by quality pellets. That’s why these pellets are made with natural hardwood in American mills.
These pellets are safe for the environment. No binders or additives are added to the pellets. So, the taste and aroma they produce are pure and mesmerizing. You will forget the charcoal smoke and flavor once you get addicted to the taste of these pellets. Immerse yourself in the outstanding taste of the natural hardwood and gather appreciation from your family for making phenomenal recipes.
By using these pellets, you will be relaxed in cleaning the ash. The reason is that it doesn’t produce dumps of ash like other pellets. Comparatively, it has less ash that is more convenient for the user to wipe out. Moreover, the pellets burn correctly, which cooks your food evenly.
- 100-Percent Natural Hardwood.
- No binders or fillers.
- Perfect for baking.
- Low ash.
- For some meats, the smell is not strong.
- Pellets break easily.
5. Weber Wood Cubic Meter Stephen Products – Best Apple Wood
Are you trying to experience any new flavor other than the traditional smoky flavor? Weber Wood Cubic Meter wood chips will make your food more delicious and tasty with its mildly sweet taste. These flavored wood chips add a new sensation to your routine food. Use it and see a huge difference in the taste that you have been experiencing for a longer time by using charcoal.
If you want to experiment with your cooking and taste unique flavors, these wood chips will fulfill your desire. Whenever you arrange a dinner party for your friends, use these wood chips for making their favorite recipes. Your friends will appreciate your cooking style.
By adding sweet fruity flavor to your food, it makes the meats more flavorful and delicious. It is preferable for poultry, pork, and game birds. This one of the best wood for smoking pork ribs is also desirable for ham.
Whenever you desire to cook outdoors, these wood chips would be a perfect fit for your grilling. Good news! No chemicals are used during the cutting procedure of the wood chips so that you can use them without any fear. Whatever the grill you have, it is suitable for all of them.
- Adds sweet fruity smoke flavor.
- Perfect for many uses.
- Suitable for all grills.
- Desirable for pork ribs.
- Burns fastly.
- Pack includes dust also.
6. Bear Mountain 100% All-Natural Pellets – Best Cherry Wood
Bear Mountain BBQ pellets are one of the best wood for smoking ribs because it has all the features you might be looking for. It makes your foods delicious by infusing natural rich smoky flavor. The meat would be tender, fully cooked, and have an outstanding aroma that will attract everyone.
Different people use different grills and smokers, but everyone can use them because these pellets are suitable for charcoal, gas, and electric smokers and grills. The 20 lbs bag makes you free from repeated shopping of pellets because it is enough for many uses.
You can use it without getting worried about the materials used in it. No binders, additives, or fillers are added to the pellets. Only natural wood is used for making these useful pellets. The 100% natural hardwood is used for making these pellets. It is highly desirable for all sorts of meats including, poultry, fish, meat, and also fit for vegetables.
For efficient burning, it includes an appropriate amount of moisture. It burns properly to cook tough meats perfectly, and you can enjoy tender and juicy meat whenever you use it.
The thickness of these pellets is relatively better than the other pellets brands. Bear Mountain BBQ thicker pellets burn in a better way so fewer pellets can work for longer.
- Made with natural hardwood.
- No fillers or binders.
- Works with all smokers and grills.
- Infuses robust fruity flavor.
- Some pellets are too long.
- Packaging needs improvement.
7. Western Premium BBQ Smoking Chips – Best Peach Wood
If you are a lover of smoky peach flavor and searching for quality peach wood pellets, here is a better option for you. Western Premium Peach BBQ Smoking Chips delivers tremendous peach wood flavor to your food.
Whenever you are smoking vegetables or lighter meats, use these wood chips to make your recipes tasty. No matter what type of meat you are grilling, these wood chips add a bold layer of outstanding smoke equally to all the meats.
Grill Filets, Trout, Salmon, Beef Sirloin, Pork Loin, and Braised Brisket using these chips and make your family taste marvelous dishes.
If you have electric smokers, charcoal grills, or gas grills, you can use these wood chips with them because they are a perfect fit for such smokers and grills. Take the taste of your BBQ and grilled food to the next level with Western Premium BBQ smoking chips. You will experience a deep smoked flavor that will make your dinners memorable.
Using these wood chips is more than easy. When using them for charcoal or gas grills, place them in a smoke box, or foil pack, then keep them at the heat. When the chips start producing the smell, place the chips at a side in the grill. Place the food and then close the lid. Don’t open the lid so that the peach wood flavor can go deep into your food.
- Suitable for gas, electric, and charcoal grills.
- Easy to use.
- Perfect for vegetables and meats both.
- Tremendous peach aroma.
- More chips are needed for a meal.
- Inconsistent-sized chips.
8. CharcoalStore Wood Smoking Chunks – Best Pear Wood
If you are addicted to the sweet, smoky flavor but irritated by the quality of your previous wood chunks, it’s time to replace them. Try the CharcoalStore Pear Wood Smoking Chunks to enjoy the remarkable sweet, smoky taste. The sweet fruity flavor is just like the apple taste, which is a better addition to your meal. The taste of the food goes to the next level when you use these phenomenal wood chunks.
The size of the pellets or chunks also matters a lot. Most customers often complain about the varying sizes of the wood chunks they use, but that’s not the case here. All the chunks are in small cuts, which are favorable for all sorts of grills and smokers. Even you can use these small size chunks in electric smokers more conveniently.
These wood chunks work so tremendously because they are made with special care. Some other brands add much moisture in the chunks, that is a wrong practice, but that’s avoided here. Only the required amount of moisture is added that makes them burn properly.
It is available in a 5 pounds bag that you can carry with ease.
- Subtle sweet flavor.
- Small size chunks.
- Appropriate moisture.
- Superb aroma.
- Somewhat expensive.
9. Traeger Grills PEL308 Hardwood Pellets – Best Maple Wood
Traeger Grills PEL308 Maple Hardwood pellets add a mildly sweet maple flavor to your meal. These maple wood pellets enhance the taste of vegetables, pork, or beef, letting you be mesmerized by a superb maple smoked taste that will make your day.
If we look at the way it is manufactured, you’ll be astonished to know that Traeger has been developing quality pellets for many years. So, you can trust their expertise and use the pellets with full confidence. The dependable burn will let you cook every food perfectly, and the smoke will make your recipes more flavorful.
By having the proper amount of moisture, the pellets burn evenly. The required moisture quantity makes the pellets burn relatively faster. So, you can easily get the smoky flavor with less fatigue.
These best wood for smoking ribs pair perfectly with every food. For baked food items, it also works well. When you use these pellets to smoke pork, lamb, beef, and vegetables, their flavor will be enhanced too much.
No binders and fillers are added to the pellets; that’s why they are totally pure. Traeger Grills PEL308 pellets are made with 100% natural hardwood.
- 20 lbs bag.
- 100% natural hardwood.
- No binders or fillers.
- Great smoke.
- Mild aroma for some meats.
- Poor packaging.
Which Wood Should I Avoid for Smoking Ribs?
Though some woods are too good for smoking ribs, at the same time, some others must be avoided. The hardwoods are a better fit for smoking ribs, but as far as softwoods are concerned, they are not meant for smoking.
Why are these woods not recommended? The reason is that they have toxins or harmful elements that can penetrate the meats you smoke. That’s why it would be better not to use the following woods.
- Cedar
- Pine
- Fir
- Sycamore
- Poison Oak
- Cypress
- Unknown Scrap wood
- Spruce
- Redwood
- Elm
- Eucalyptus
- Greenwood
- Hemlock
- Chemically Treated wood
- Painted or Stained wood
Conclusion
Here the discussion about the best wood for smoking ribs comes to an end. We presented wood pellets of top brands with various flavors to let everyone choose the one they like the most. If you have never mixed different flavor pellets, try it now and enjoy a new taste.
Our selected best wood for smoking ribs will make your meals not only delicious but memorable. Enjoy the thrill of smoking with quality wood pellets and get enormous appreciation from your family.