"Seasoned hardwood logs or chunks, because they have the most potential to release flavorful smoke. In general, alder, apple, cherry, maple, oak, and pecan produce mild-tasting smoke, while hickory, mesquite, and walnut produce stronger-tasting smoke. After seasoned hardwood, charcoal is the next best fuel. Charcoal is wood burned in the absence of oxygen, a process called pyrolysis, in which most...