? on Wood types and moisture content

[mag1]

Ok, I'll be finishing up my smoker soon. What I want to know is what types of wood should I use to fire it? The wood we have available in the area that I can get easily are: Oak, Hickory, Maple, apple, then just plain old campfire wood (poplar, pine, ect.....) I know you should use nut/fruit trees.

Can you use maple? There is a wood processing place about 15mile from me that has mixed oak/maple/Ash for $30/face cord. I can sort the oak/maple out, but can you use ash? not sure what it would smell like. (I could sort the ash for the fire pit for a relaxing evening fire)

I also have access to some apple, I'm going to snag that.

Mosture - do you want the wood seasoned, or to have some mositure in it? (dry or damp or somewhere in between?)

thanks, I'm a newbe to all of this.

[The Czar]

Maple is fine.....seasoned and dry wood is preferred


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[DUAYNE B]

Heck, everything you mentioned is perfect smoking wood..,,,, stay away from any of the pines... you do not want that near your smoker. all the other woods you mentioned are perfect

[Rodcrafter]

Yep and welcome to the crew


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[Puff]

Like a wood stove, you will want to avoid creosote with un-seasoned wood

[Gizmo]

Give the ash at least a couple months (6 is better on all of it but the hickory) after splitting it - green ash is a weird flavor …. local restaurant uses it and a buddy of mine supplies them - that's what I've learned about it.

[mag1]

Thanks guys, you all have been a big help, we are going to try and have my smoker done other than painting by next friday. so..... I need to see what kind of wood I need to find.

[jasonz]

Gizmo - how long do you give hickory? I got some pignut hickory that was cut and split about a month ago.

[Gizmo]

About 20 minutes - or one refreshment.

I think Hickory is the only wood you can cut and burn immediately without a "green" flavor. It seams to burn a little hotter after a few months being split but otherwise you're fine.

I've never heard the term pignut hickory so I can't help you there.
Can you tell us more about it?

[jasonz]

Not much - lol. 2 days ago, i scored some. All i know about it is when asked what kind of wood is that - the guy said pignut hickory, ill cut you all you want. Yea i can use that, took what he had, and made sure not to lose that number. He also has a ton of cherry and oak. Im happy.

[Puff]

Hmm! Check this out on pignut hickory

http://youtu.be/OhDZXbaSWvY

[Gizmo]

Thanks!

[Miketheforester]

I really like to season any wood I use to at least 6 months, it will get you a more consistent burn. Also I have not found much difference between the hickories, they're all good. However, I do use green wood blocks in UDS's and other non stick burners.

[SmokinFF]

I've used green wood blocks too Mike, but I've found the paint puts off a funny flavor.

[Puff]

After the second read oh my!

[jasonz]

I picked up a $30 wood moisture meter. That month old pignut hickroy I scored was split into firewood (after it was cut) into probably 16" by about two fists. Last weekend I split a split. The inside moisture was 43%, outside was 17%. This past weekend I split that split again, the inside moisture was 23% and outside 17%. The ribs I cooked on Sunday tasted great. Thanks Gizmo!

[Gizmo]

No problem!
Get your hands on a little of that cherry - a lot of the pros swear by that stuff.
Partial to peach myself….

[Grabber70Mach]

What about Plum?

From infinity and beyond

[Pennywise]

I think the rule of thumb is ANY fruit wood is good smoking wood Grabber.

[Grabber70Mach]

I think the rule of thumb is ANY fruit wood is good smoking wood Grabber.

Thanks

From infinity and beyond

[SoloQue]

Quick weigh-in as I found the exception to frujit wood. I was convinced that Persimmon smelled good when it was cut so it would make a good smoke. Wrong .... Wrong ... did I mention I was WRONG. Persimmon while yes it is a fruit tree will get bitter and overpowering quick. I had some good runs where I was blending and probably posted on here about the success but in the long run I discovered that ... on its own ... Persimmon just is not up to the task. I ruined about $300 worth of Butts I was smoking for a buddy's fund raiser. Now I am consuming what is left as a starter wood since it does burn fairly quickly. For anyone who spoke up and told me they thought Persimmon was bitter ... I yield to the truth. Sadly I think it was the Czar who spoke up but I will hold off on confirming that

[The Czar]

Plum is good....like grape it first smells horrible but tapers out quick and works good