Facts About the Mesquite Tree

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Populated Regions:

Commonly found in parts of Mexico including the Chihuahua Desert regions in South-West U.S.A like Texas and Kansas, the mesquite tree is a hardy tree that is adapted for dry climate.

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Growth:

Mesquite trees are found in alkaline soils, often near water hotels. They provide vegetation, shade, and wildlife habitat in regions where other trees will not grow.

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Deep Roots:

The Mesquite tree has taproots known to reach depths of almost 200 ft into the soil. Its ability to have fast-growing, deep roots make it difficult to cut down. Moreover, the tree can regenerate from a part of the root.

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High Water Consumption:

Mesquite is a hardy, drought-tolerant plant that can easily and rapidly switch from utilizing one water source to the other, whether it is 200 ft into the soil or on the upper parts of the ground. Ranchers often dislike the mesquite tree because they believe it competes with rangeland grasses for moisture, and they often blame the mesquite for lowering groundwater tables.

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Wood Uses:

Wood from the Mesquite tree is hard and sturdy, making it ideal for furniture use. Besides functional uses, mesquite wood is also used for decorative woodworking and woodturning. Due to its strong stability and hard density, mesquite lumber is sold as Texas Ironwood.

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Medical Properties:

Historically, mesquite leaves were used medicinally, and waterinfused with the leaves can still be used as eye drops.

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Quality Firewood:

Mesquite wood burns slow and hot. It is therefore great in creating charcoal and when used in barbecue, the smoke from the wood adds distinct flavor to the food.

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Baking Flour:

Native Americans have relied heavily on the mesquite. They would grind the bean pods of the mesquite into both course and fine flour to make cakes, cookies, breads and other baked delicacies. The mesquite flour adds a sweet, nutty taste to baked goods, and the pods can be used to make jelly or wine.

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Young Mesquites:

A newly growing mesquite tree has needle-like thorns that are up to 3 inches long and sharp enough to puncture tires. Blossoming flowers are only a few millimeters long but are clustered together into creamy yellow bunches to attract pollinators.

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A Part of the Ecosystem:

The tree's flowers provide a source of nectar for bees to produce mesquite honey, with a characteristic flavor. As a legume, the tree releases nitrogen in the soil. The Mesquite tree grows quickly and offers wildlife habitat, where other trees will not grow. In the past, native Americans and wild animals alike have survived on mesquite bean pods.

Because of such specific properties of its wood, roots and leaves, the mesquite is considered an ideal raw material for producing charcoal lumps and briquets. It’s hard and drought-tolerant lumber adds a unique smoky taste and flavor to the food it cooks.

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Tips to Use Mesquite Charcoal

This depends on what you are cooking and how long you want to cook it for. Use a full chimney, if your recipe requires high heat. For low heat cooking, it is recommended not to fill the chimney but rather let the coals dissipate.

When lighting the coals, placing them close together helps the fire spread from one coal to the other quickly and easily. This helps light up the coals faster for use. You can use newspapers or lighter fluid to help you light the coals. Light two-three newspaper sheets in several spots and add them into the chamber. The flames from the burning paper will ignite the coals. Alternatively, with the lighter fluid, pour some of it carefully on the top and sides of the charcoal mound and light immediately after. Never spray the fluid on hot coals.

Control the heat by regulating the amount of oxygen. Since oxygen is needed to light the fire and burn the coal, more oxygen means that the coals will burn faster and hotter. Reducing oxygen exposure makes the coal burn slowly and lowers cooking temperatures. You can control the flow of oxygen by adjusting the vents at the top and bottom of the grill.

Ultra Grill Charcoal Safety Checks

  • Never pour lighter fluid on hot or burning briquets.
  • Never use gasoline to light a fire.
  • Never use charcoal grill inside a house or tent. Burning charcoal can produce dangerous carbon monoxide.
  • Store and use the grill away from flammable items.
  • Place the grill away from trees, buildings, and other structures.
  • Always watch the grill when in use.
  • Let the charcoal burn out before removing from the grill to avoid a fire
  • Clean the grill of ash and burnt food
  • Remove ash after charcoal and ashes have burnt out.
  • Cover the grill after use to avoid rusting.
  • Coat the grate with vegetable oil to prevent food from sticking.

Grill Recipes

BBQChicken

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Burnt BabyBack Ribs

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Shrimp n’ SausageSkewers

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SMOKED HUMMUS

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PORK BURGER

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ARRACHERA.

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