Chicken Suggestions Welcomed...

acolle

I've been splitting my bird(s) in half. Removing the keel (breastbone thing). I recently posted that I enjoy mesquite smoke, however, I find I am in the minority with that preference. I often use a little oil / s&p / butt rub (no sugar/sweetener household). Slow cook around 200-225 indirect. Care to share tried and true wood ideas other than mesquite? Currently looking at new ideas... Thanks, All!

pgprescott

Raised direct 350-400 no smoke over rockwood.  Keep the bird simple. Brine if you want to raise your game that’s it IMO. 

The Cen-Tex Smoker

nothing wrong with mesquite as long as you are burning a clean fire. Almost all the roadside chicken in Mexico is cooked over mesquite and it's some of the tastiest chicken on earth. I like to cook my birds hot (400-450). You could use mesquite chunks in a cook like that but I would not go low and slow with mesquite in a bge. When you choke the oxygen down, it will smolder. Smoldering mesquite is just acrid and nasty.  You have to give it plenty of oxygen and let the fire run.

acolle

The Cen-Tex Smoker said:

nothing wrong with mesquite as long as you are burning a clean fire. Almost all the roadside chicken in Mexico is cooked over mesquite and it's some of the tastiest chicken on earth. I like to cook my birds hot (400-450). You could use mesquite chunks in a cook like that but I would not go low and slow with mesquite in a bge. When you choke the oxygen down, it will smolder. Smoldering mesquite is just acrid and nasty.  You have to give it plenty of oxygen and let the fire run.

I grew up in AZ. Spent much time in Mexico. This is why I think I'm such a fan the mesquite. Great advice on the no smolder. Thank you. 

Mattman3969

acolle said:

I've been splitting my bird(s) in half. Removing the keel (breastbone thing). I recently posted that I enjoy mesquite smoke, however, I find I am in the minority with that preference. I often use a little oil / s&p / butt rub (no sugar/sweetener household). Slow cook around 200-225 indirect. Care to share tried and true wood ideas other than mesquite? Currently looking at new ideas... Thanks, All!

I do the same as you except I go raised direct about 4” or so above the felt and use red oak for smoke.   I sometimes mix Butt Rub with Dizzy Dust 

The Cen-Tex Smoker

acolle said:

The Cen-Tex Smoker said:

nothing wrong with mesquite as long as you are burning a clean fire. Almost all the roadside chicken in Mexico is cooked over mesquite and it's some of the tastiest chicken on earth. I like to cook my birds hot (400-450). You could use mesquite chunks in a cook like that but I would not go low and slow with mesquite in a bge. When you choke the oxygen down, it will smolder. Smoldering mesquite is just acrid and nasty.  You have to give it plenty of oxygen and let the fire run.

I grew up in AZ. Spent much time in Mexico. This is why I think I'm such a fan the mesquite. Great advice on the no smolder. Thank you. 

I love mesquite as well. It’s wonderful as long as you let it burn clean. I have a stack
iutside I blend in with oak in my stick burning smoker. I won’t use it in my bge though.