Why Does My Barbecue Smoke Taste Bitter?

Bitter smoke comes from incomplete combustion — usually wet wood, restricted airflow, or a fire that’s smouldering instead of burning clean. If the wood you use was sitting outdoors and exposed tot he rain or snow, it will need some time to dry out before your fire it up.

Bitter Smoke Isn’t the Fault of Your Smoker

The good news is that bitter smoke isn’t the fault of your smoker and you can fix the issue.

When hardwood can’t burn fully, it produces creosote — a sticky compound that coats food with harsh flavour. You can usually fix this issue by opening vents on your unit to allow more air to the fire. Also, ensure that you always use seasoned dry wood, and let the fire burn hotter and cleaner before adding food to the grill.

Always remember: if the fire struggles, the flavour suffers.

Learn more about smoker smoke, what it means and how to manage it in my Complete Guide to Smoke in Hardwood Barbecue.

By BBQ Chef Mike Belobradic