Hottest Burn?

Jason_Florida · Newbie Joined: 12 Jan 2007 Posts: 78

This could also probably go in the grilling forum, but here goes.

I am planning on grilling steaks this weekend. What heat source burns hottest? I have read that wood burns hotter than charcoal, including lump. Which wood burns hottest?

Thanks.

mds2 · Posted: May 03 2007 Post subject: Re: Hottest Burn?

Jason_Florida · Newbie Joined: 12 Jan 2007 Posts: 78

Hoochie-Que · Posted: May 04 2007 Post subject:

Mesquite will turn out a lot of heat... That would be my "best guess" for a hot burning wood or lump for grilling... Oak wood may not be quite as hot, but would also do nicely and will last a little longer than mesquite (based on my observation)...

Best wishes...
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SoEzzy · Posted: May 04 2007 Post subject:

Based on everything I have read on the subject, woods have different calorific values, so the amount you will need to burn to maintain a certain temperature will vary, the hotter woods are the denser ones, Mesquite and Oak being the more common woods available.

If you have access to exotic woods from South America and Afrika some of the densities of the hardwoods are higher than Mesquite and Oak so they will burn hotter.

For personnal use if you want a hot fire get some lump charcoal, if you want to find the better charcoals to use, then take a look at naked whiz charcoal reviwes.

Unless you have a pit designed for a good draft and draw, you are not likely to get the best results with a wood fire, (without years of experience cooking over wood), a charcoal fire on the other hand can give you better results without 1/2 the attention being paid to it that is needed for a wood fire.

When high heat is being sort, for metalurgy smithing work, they don't go out and cut down a tree to burn directly, they take the wood and make charcoal out of it, then they burn the chrcoal, some of the heat of burning wood goes to breaking down the wood, to enable it to burn, with charcoal this has already happened in the charcoal making process, so more of the heat is available for use.
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Jason_Florida · Newbie Joined: 12 Jan 2007 Posts: 78

Alien BBQ · Posted: May 04 2007 Post subject:

Go with mesquite and open your vents. Warning, I have seen Mesquite warp steel grates when they turned cherry red. It will also burn the stock paint off the outside of you pit.
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Harry Nutczak · Posted: May 04 2007 Post subject:

according to the woodheat.org website.

this is the list from best to worst for heat potential. many of these woods are unsuitable for cooking though.

Since hickory is near the top of the list, (And my favorite flavor) I sugest that. But burn it to coals first before attempting to cook over it.

here is the link http://www.woodheat.org/firewood/firewood.htm

Rock Elm

Shagbark Hickory

White Oak

Bitternut Hickory

Sugar Maple

Beech

Red Oak

Yellow Birch

Red Elm

White Ash

White Elm

Red Maple

Tamarack

Black Cherry

White Birch

Black Ash

Green Ash

Silver Maple

Manitoba Maple

Large Tooth Aspen

Hemlock

Trembling Aspen

Butternut

Balsam Poplar

White Pine

Basswood

White Cedar

White Spruce

Balsam Fir
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Jason_Florida · Newbie Joined: 12 Jan 2007 Posts: 78

Thank you!