Does bark affect the flavor of smoked foods?

Question: Does bark affect the flavor of smoked foods?

Answer: There is no consensus on whether or not bark affects smoked foods. Some people will tell you that bark imparts a bitter flavor while others say it does nothing to the flavor. I try to keep the amount of bark on wood I use to smoke to a minimum but I don’t go the whole way and carve off every bit. The best bet is to remove any loose pieces of bark from wood and of course make sure that the wood is split and the right size for your smoker. If you buy wood chunks then you shouldn’t have anything to worry about.

Different woods have different barks so remember to always go with what works best for you. Barbecue is more art than science.