Wood-fired barbecues

When summer arrives, nothing feels better than having a good outdoor barbecue with friends and family. However, it is important to choose the type of barbecue you are going to use. For example, wood-burning barbecues are a fabulous choice for those who like to cook meats.

Best wood-fired barbecues on the market

Why a wood-fired barbecue?

With options such as charcoal or gas barbecues, you may not be very attracted to those that use firewood. But, do you know the advantages that this type of barbecues have for you? They can be a much more interesting option than you imagine:

✹Many models: Some types of barbecues have a limited catalog. On the other hand, wood-fired barbecues have dozens of options, adjusting to each person's type of cooking. What do you like to take with you? Portable models are sold. Move it from one place to another to make the most of the sun? Models with wheels to make it easy to move them around. Of course there are also fixed models, made of brick or stone.

✹A suitable price: Many people are put off the idea of buying a wood-burning barbecue because of the cost of firewood. However, the models are so economical that it is a safe long-term investment.

✹Better flavor for the food: The firewood enhances the flavor of the food much more than a gas barbecue. In addition, any type of product can be cooked, whether it is meat, fish or vegetables.

✹Different types of firewood: As with charcoal, you can find different types of firewood on the market to use in your barbecue. Each one is perfect for a different type of food, and will give a different flavor to your dishes.

✹It can be mixed: What if you bought a mixed barbecue? Many models allow you to cook with both charcoal and wood. This way you can experiment and decide with which of the two you like to cook more.

✹Durable: The important thing when buying a barbecue is that it will last for a long time. Wood barbecues can be made of iron or brick barbecues. These are painted with thermal paint, which helps to withstand the calorific power of the firewood.

What kind of firewood can you use in a barbecue?

It is true that in Spain there are many types of firewood, so it is not difficult to find one that you can use for the barbecue. However, first we must distinguish between the different types. They are usually grouped into two categories:

Hard: Hard firewoods are those that come from trees with great hardness and resistance. They offer the best embers for the barbecue, and a fantastic heating performance. Hard firewood is considered to be wood from overhead, holm oak, olive or oak trees.

Soft: Contrary to the previous ones, these last less time burning and less embers are obtained. It is not as powerful as hard wood. For what it is destined to the preparation of quick dishes. Fruit trees are considered as soft firewood, except for the orange tree, which is considered hard firewood.

In some areas of Spain, other types of firewood are used, such as vine shoots or branches. These are used for the preparation of paellas or roasts. They require a great control of the fire, so only expert cooks are able to use them.

What is the heat capacity of each type of firewood?

At the beginning, it can be a little difficult for a novice to get used to a barbecue, because it is important to control the calorific value of the wood. In addition, it is necessary to think that there is wood of above, oak, olive tree, orange tree, almond tree... more than a dozen types that can be found in any store.

Depending on the type of dishes, one type of wood will have more heating capacity than another. For example, if the meat is very thick it will be better to use one of greater power, on the other hand if it is for a meat like hamburger, the one that has less power is the most interesting option.

Ordered from highest to lowest, this is the heating capacity of each type of firewood:

✹Over: 4900

✹Chestnut: 4800

✹Elm: 4790

✹Oak: 4690

✹Olive: 4678

✹Beech: 4630

✹Pine: 4557

Firewoods from harder wood trees are the ones that have a higher calorific value. Just like lighting a fire, or a fireplace, you have to take into account the heat capacity to achieve the most delicious dish.

In some stores you may be sold what is known as "green firewood". A much cheaper firewood, but which has less calorific value and gives off a rather unpleasant white smoke. It is not the best choice for cooking.

How should you light a wood-fired barbecue?

Remember, it is always better to use firewood from a hard tree, and, of course, that it is always dry. It is often said that the best firewood for barbecue has had to be 6 months outdoors, under the sun. This helps it to lose all the water it contains. It should not have branches, leaves or green twigs. If they have them, this will cause a thick smoke, besides it will cost much more to light the barbecue.

Once you have the wood in your barbecue, light the wood and with the help of shovels or iron tongs stir until the embers are formed. It can take more or less the same time to ignite as the charcoal, but you must watch it well to avoid consuming the fire.

Where should you locate this type of barbecue?

Since this type of barbecue generates a lot of smoke, its location must be ideal. In case you are going to build one, if you buy one with a hood, you will not have to worry much about the smoke and you will have more freedom to choose its location.

On the other hand, if you buy an iron barbecue, you will have to be a little more careful. Place it away from doors and windows, in an outdoor area where you don't have the wind against you, or the smoke generated will bother you while cooking. Although many barbecue models have a lid, some dishes are tastier if cooked without it.