Best smoke for Tandoori cooking

TorontoBBQer · February 2013

I've been a long-time cook of Indian food. I'm about to do my first cook on the egg for tikka/tandoori chicken and lamb.

Tandoori meat from a good Indian restaurant always has a smoky taste, but I cannot put a finger on which smoke wood would be best.

Suggestions/ideas appreciated!

-- Josh

caliking · February 2013

Many (most?) tandoori restos use commercial gas tandoors. Traditional tandoors are wood or charcoal fired and I don't think any particular attention is paid to what specific type of charcoal is being used. Having said, I would try oak lump, since IMO the flavor of hickory and mesquite can be a bit strong.

Part of the smoky flavor has to do with a little bit of char on the meat and the flavor imparted by fat/juices dripping on to the hot charcoal.

I've tried some experiments with tandoor-style grilling on the egg, and the results have been great, but not as good as my tandoor.

Richard Fl · February 2013

I like to use apple or apricot for flavor.

nolaegghead · February 2013

Fruitwoods are more palatable to people who are sensitive to smoke - they can almost be like perfume. Find some species that you like and stock up.

jeroldharter · February 2013

I agree that I would avoid hickory and mesquite and would use something more subtle such as fruit woods or Oak/cherry/alder.

Chubbs · February 2013

I agree that a lot of the smoke we are used to in tandoori chicken is from the grease drippings on the coals. If you do want to supplement, I would think go as light as possible or it will be off. Just my $2,000 opinion. (:|

Aviator · February 2013

Traditional Indian cooking does not include the addition of wood for "smoke". Its the charcoal or coal that they use to bring that flavor. So as a purist, no wood.

What you want to do is let the lump burn till clear and then throw the meat on. Like others above have said, the fat dripping off the meat and its marinade will do the rest.

TorontoBBQer · February 2013

Thanks all - much appreciated. I will leave it smoke-less and let the lump do its thing.

BYS1981 · February 2013

I use just lump.

caliking · February 2013

Not related to smoke, but if you are planning to cook tandoori style, think about doing a high temp cook. Tandoors get farkin hot because the air flow is not regulated - big open hole at the bottom and another big open hole at the top. Cook the way you usually do for the first few cooks, but at some point consider the blazing hot cook, just to see if you like it or not.

Best smoke for Tandoori cooking

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