Wine Barrel Smoker Cubes

The Smoking Process

Because oak is a dense hardwood, it burns hot and long, while the wine residue burns off with a incredibly fragrant, rich, slightly sweet aroma. These cubes can be used in Offset Smokers or Charcoal Grills/Kamados. 

⚠️Warning: Do NOT attempt to use these wood chunks in a pellet grill.

Step 1) Establish a clean coal base

Start 30-40 mins prior

Do not use wine barrel wood as your primary fuel source to heat up the smoker. Start your cooker with high-quality lump charcoal or standard oak/hickory splits until you have a stable, clean-running fire and a solid bed of hot coals.

Step 2) Determine if you should soak

Optional - 15 mins

If using small chips on a charcoal grill, soak them in water for 15-20 minutes so they smolder rather than instantly flare up into a flame. If using large chunks in an offset smoker, keep them completely dry; you want a clean, hot burn.

Step 3) Add the wood to the hot zone

At the start of the cooking process

Add 1 or 2 chunks (or a handful of chips in a foil pouch/smoker box) directly onto the hot coals right as you put your meat on. The wine aroma is highly volatile and will release its strongest, most fragrant profile in the first 30 to 45 minutes of burning.

Step 4) Manage the airflow

Throughout the cooking process

Ensure your exhaust damper is wide open. You want a faint, thin blue smoke. Because of the sugars and tartars in the wood, a choked fire will quickly produce heavy, bitter, soot-heavy gray smoke. If it smells like acrid burnt sugar, open up the vents to let it burn hotter.

Best Food Pairings

Because wine barrel wood is ultimately Oak, it is a medium-to-strong wood. However, the wine notes soften the harshness. It pairs phenomenally well with:

• Beef: Brisket, tri-tip, ribeye, and beef ribs (especially great with red wine barrel wood).

• Pork: Pork shoulder, ribs, and thick-cut pork chops.

• Poultry: Whole chickens or turkey.

• Cheeses: Cold-smoking sharp cheddar or gouda over light wine-barrel chips gives a beautiful color and a complex profile.

We hope you enjoy our red wine barrel smoker cubes! Tell us about your experience!