Your choice of wood for smoking food will have a huge influence on flavor.
You can pair different types of wood with different ingredients to create mouth-watering delicacies at home.
From smoked chicken and turkey to specialty products like jerky and smoked sausages, family and friends will love your creations.
When choosing the right wood for smoking, you need to think about safety as well as flavor.
Apple is a popular species for smoking but you might have some concerns about using it.
Is apple wood toxic when smoking food?
Let’s learn more about this wood and find out.
Why is Apple Wood Popular for Smoking?
Apple is a popular choice because it can add a lighter and sweeter flavor to many ingredients.
It’s mostly used for pork and fish, but it can also add complex flavor to chicken and lighter cuts of turkey.
Unlike some of the bolder flavors like mesquite, apple wood is subtle.
Even people who don’t traditionally like smoked food will love the flavor of apple smoke.
Apple is widely available and is one of the most commonly sold types of smoking wood.
You can get it from all of the major brands, including Weber, in chips and chunks.
Considering apple wood for your grill or smoker?
Then try these Weber Apple Wood Chunks for slow smoking
These Weber Apple Wood Chips are ideal for use in a smoker box on your grill.
Should You Wet APPLEWOOD Before Smoking?
Many different wood varieties should be soaked in water before smoking.
This will keep the wood burning for longer to impart the most flavor.
Applewood is naturally slow-burning so you won’t need to wet the wood chips or chunks for cooking in most cases.
Is Apple Wood Toxic?
Applewood as a cooking fuel has been used for centuries.
The unique fruity flavor makes it ideal for smoking in a dedicated smoker or inside a closed grill.
Applewood isn’t toxic.
There is no added risk of contamination when smoking food.
It’s as safe to use as popular alternatives like mesquite, hickory, oak, and maple.
Smoked food is mildly carcinogenic, just like food that has been charred or cooked over a direct flame.
Enjoy smoked food in moderation and you’ll keep the risk of negative health effects to a minimum.
